Crime

Arson attack on Ambleston caravan was “revenge job”, court hears

Published

3 months ago

March 6, 2026

A MAN and a teenage accomplice who set fire outside a family caravan in Pembrokeshire had been paid to carry out the attack, a court has heard.

Swansea Crown Court was told that a couple were living in a static caravan on farmland in Ambleston with their children and dogs on the evening of Thursday (Nov 7), 2024.

At around 9:30pm the couple heard a vehicle arriving nearby. Moments later, flames appeared outside one of the caravan windows.

The occupants rushed outside and discovered that one fire had been started beneath the window, while another had been lit on the opposite side of a nearby hedge. They managed to extinguish both fires themselves before calling emergency services.

Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir told the court that officers later saw two individuals walking towards a petrol station in Haverfordwest that night. The pair were wearing hooded tops and carrying a green petrol can before getting into a white Audi.

Following the arson report, police located the vehicle and arrested Jack Newman and a 16-year-old boy.

A fire investigation later concluded that the blazes were small and would probably have burned themselves out if they had not been spotted quickly.

Officers also discovered a melted green petrol container close to the caravan.

Examination of Newman’s phone uncovered messages with a contact saved as “Best Buys” discussing the location of the caravan in Ambleston. Prosecutors said the messages included references to carrying out the attack for £500.

Further Snapchat messages between Newman and the teenager earlier that day also discussed plans to start the fire.

Both defendants admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered when the case came to trial.

The court heard neither defendant had previous convictions.

Defending Newman, Ieuan Rees told the court the 22-year-old had previously been of good character and that his involvement in the offence was out of character. However, he accepted Newman had taken the more significant role in the incident.

The defence also said Newman had not committed any further offences since the incident.

Representing the younger defendant, Robin Rouch said his client had cooperated fully with the Youth Offending Team and had shown maturity since the incident, which took place when he was 16.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said the pair had been paid by a third party to carry out the attack.

“This was not some childish prank,” he told them. “It was a revenge attack carried out for a perceived grievance.”

Newman, of Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

The teenager, now aged 17 and who cannot be named for legal reasons, received a Youth Rehabilitation Order. The order includes 12 months of supervision and 40 hours of unpaid work.

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

12 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

12 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.