A MAN has admitted stalking a woman over a two-month period in Neyland and has been placed on conditional bail ahead of sentencing.

Andrew Richards, aged 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 16), where he pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, Richards pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of a female in Milford Haven.

The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and remanded Richards on conditional bail.

As part of those conditions, he must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly and must not post anything on social media relating to her.

He is also banned from entering Milford Haven town unless attending pre-arranged medical appointments.

Richards was ordered to live and sleep each night at his home address in Neyland while on bail.

The case will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Monday, March 9.

Defendant remanded in custody as case linked to police raids on Friday

A MAN has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an incident in Pembroke Dock involving controversial local activist Darren Edmundson, widely known as the “Pembrokeshire Patriot.”

Zack Ian Craig High, aged 26, of Anthem Court, Monkton, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 16) accused of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to Edmundson with intent.

The allegation relates to an incident at an address in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, on January 29.

No plea was entered during the hearing. Due to the seriousness of the charge, the case was sent directly to Swansea Crown Court under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

High was remanded in custody. Magistrates were told bail was refused on multiple grounds, including the nature and seriousness of the offence, concerns he may commit further offences, interfere with witnesses, and issues relating to previous record and character.

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on March 20 at 9:00am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Link to major police operation

The charge comes after a significant armed police operation in Pembroke Dock on Friday (Feb 13), which The Pembrokeshire Herald reported extensively at the time.

Heavily equipped officers carried out pre-planned raids in Bush Street and nearby Gordon Street, leading to four arrests including a man detained on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

It is understood the investigation relates to the alleged assault which has now resulted in High being charged.

About the alleged victim

Darren Edmundson has previously attracted attention locally and nationally under the name “Pembrokeshire Patriot,” becoming known for outspoken activism and online broadcasting. His activities and campaigns have generated both support and controversy.

He has also been linked to disputes surrounding a veterans’ support initiative and other activism-related issues, which he has strongly denied wrongdoing.

No further details about Edmundson’s injuries were disclosed during the magistrates’ hearing.

As criminal proceedings are ongoing, Zack Ian Craig High is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Regime restrictions leaving prisoners locked up for long periods despite progress tackling drugs

STAFF shortages at Parc Prison are continuing to severely restrict daily life for inmates despite improvements in tackling illegal drugs, according to inspectors.

A report published on Monday (Feb 16) by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons found that progress at the Bridgend jail was being significantly undermined by ongoing recruitment and retention problems, delays in vetting new staff, and the need to escort prisoners to outside hospital appointments.

Inspectors said these pressures meant many prisoners were spending long periods locked in their cells with limited access to education, work, or rehabilitation activities.

The findings come from a targeted independent review of progress carried out between January 5 and January 7, 2026, rather than a full inspection.

Staffing crisis restricting daily regime

Inspectors concluded that staffing shortages were the main factor preventing improvement across multiple areas of the prison.

The report found that regime restrictions had “severely hampered” progress, with prisoners often unable to access purposeful activity or support services needed to prepare for release.

Limited time out of cell is widely recognised as one of the key indicators of prison instability and poor outcomes.

Drug reduction efforts showing results

Despite the challenges, inspectors identified one significant area of progress.

Leaders and staff had made what the report described as “considerable effort” to reduce the supply of illicit drugs entering the prison.

Measures included:

• Installation of secure windows
• Increased use of technology
• Targeted deployment of resources

These steps were credited with contributing to a decline in drug use among prisoners — a notable development given previous concerns about drug-related instability at the jail.

Concerns over rehabilitation and sentence progression

However, inspectors warned that prisoners were not receiving enough support to progress through their sentences.

Weaknesses in offender management meant some inmates were missing opportunities to complete programmes or move forward in their rehabilitation, potentially affecting their preparation for release.

Public protection weaknesses identified

The report also highlighted concerns around public protection processes, including aspects of risk management for certain offenders.

Such findings are considered particularly significant because they relate directly to the safety of the public after prisoners are released.

Partial recovery after troubled period

HMP Parc, a large Category C resettlement prison operated privately, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years following a period of serious deterioration identified in earlier inspections.

The latest review suggests that while some improvements have been made — particularly in tackling drugs — fundamental operational pressures remain.

Inspectors made clear that without resolving staffing shortages and restoring a full daily regime, wider progress across the prison will remain limited.

G4S responds

A HMP Parc spokesperson said: “We are encouraged that this report highlights progress at the prison in many areas, particularly in our work to disrupt the supply of drugs.

“This is significant and will drive wider improvements throughout the prison, especially in reducing self-harm and violence.

“Staffing levels are continuing to rise, which will allow us to increase access to education, training, employment and rehabilitation activities.

“Resources are now in place to manage the increased volume of public protection monitoring work.”

Despite the strong criticisms of the jail, the prison management wanted to highlight the current positives from the report:

• ‘Leaders had put considerable efforts into reducing the ingress of illicit drugs; secure window installation was progressing well, and leaders were making good use of technology and resources. As a result, there had been a decline in drug use.’

• ‘In the last six months, 24% of random tests had been positive in the last 6 months, compared to 31% before the last inspection.’

• ‘Partnership working, both between providers and among departments, was working much more effectively to tackle the challenges that we had identified.’

• ‘Oversight within the safety function had improved. The safety team was now more established and had worked hard to embed basic processes and improve the collation of data.’

• ‘The introduction of bespoke peer support roles … was positive. These initiatives included training in supporting emotional regulation and conflict resolution. Peer supporters we spoke to were enthusiastic with a strong sense of purpose.’

• ‘Prisoners had benefited from the provision of in-cell tablet computers’