Crime

Pembrokeshire man avoids jail after assaulting Co-op staff during theft

Published

2 months ago

January 28, 2026

Store workers punched and stamped on after challenging shoplifting, court hears

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after assaulting three shop workers during a shoplifting incident at a Pembroke supermarket.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Mark Abraham, aged 52, entered the Co-op store in Pembroke on Sunday (Dec 8) and selected an assortment of items valued at £46.16 before attempting to leave without paying.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton that Abraham was challenged by a member of staff as he exited the store.

“The defendant was approached by a member of staff who challenged him,” she said. “He then punched and stamped the staff member to the head several times.”

Two further members of staff, along with a detention officer, came to assist but were also punched by Abraham during the incident.

Abraham, of The Green, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to theft and three charges of common assault. He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd told the court that his client had been fully cooperative with police and had shown genuine remorse.

“He has been completely forthcoming about everything that took place that day and is genuinely sorry for what he’s done,” he said. “He is now highly motivated to address his issues.”

District Judge Mark Layton sentenced Abraham to eighteen weeks in custody, suspended for eighteen months.

As part of the sentence, Abraham was ordered to complete twenty rehabilitation activity requirement days, wear an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag for nineteen days, and attend a nine-day drug review programme.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to each of the four victims, £46.16 compensation to the Co-op store, a £154 court surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

In addition, a two-year restraining order was imposed, preventing Abraham from entering the Co-op store in Pembroke and from contacting any of the four victims.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

13 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of a woman and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

13 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.