Police officers forced to jump aside as modified electric bike accelerated towards them

A COURT has heard how a group of E-bike riders hurled abuse at officers as they sped down a narrow, pedestrianised alleyway in Pembroke town centre.

The officers had been informed via their radios that the E-bikes had been seen in Pembroke just before midnight on September 6.

“We heard them approaching down Orange Way, which is a strictly pedestrianised, very narrow alleyway,” commented one of the officers when the matter was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “We called for them to stop but they made no attempt to do so and shouted obscenities at us.”

One of the riders was 24-year-old garage mechanic Joshua Miller who was riding an electric Surron bike.

“He was driving slowly on the grass verge and the officers directed him to stop when he was less than a metre away from them,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“One of the officers grabbed hold of him, but he continued gripping onto the handlebars of the bike.”

Miller then applied the throttle, causing the bike to move forwards.

“The two officers moved forwards with him, but fortunately neither of them were hurt,” added Sian Vaughan. “But that was more luck than judgement.”

Meanwhile county councillor Jonathan Grimes stressed to the court via a victim impact statement the problems that E-bikes similar to Miller’s are having on local communities.

“The use of E-bikes has had a significant impact on public confidence and safety,” he said. “I’ve been contacted by many residents who are concerned about these being ridden at speed by people wearing face coverings…and the wearing of balaclavas is of particular concern to many residents as they give off a very sinister look.”

Miller, of Marshall Road, Monkton, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously failing to stop his vehicle when directed to do so by police officers, and using the vehicle without third party insurance.

He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said that since buying the E-bike, Miller has since spent approximately £10,000 on improving it.

“The defendant is aware of how serious this is, and deeply, deeply regrets it,” he said. “The proceedings have had a profound impact on him.

“After he was interviewed, he was placed on extremely strict bail conditions which included a daily curfew which he’s never once breached; this has been a particular hardship for a young man who’s extremely hard working, and reliable.

“He knows what he did is wrong and he’s deeply remorseful for what took place.”

Character references were submitted to the magistrates for their consideration prior to sentencing.

Miller must complete 150 hours of unpaid work during his 12 month Community Order. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must take an extended driving test before getting back on the roads. A deprivation order was made for the E-scooter and for its removal from public circulation. Miller was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

(Image: Stock image for illustrative purposes only)

CCTV footage showed defendant leaving store with alcohol without paying

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has admitted stealing £18 worth of lager from a shop in Milford Haven town centre.

CCTV footage showed Liam Roberts, 33, walk into One Stop in Charles Street on August 13, 2025, and remove £18 worth of Stella lager without making any attempt to pay for it. The alcohol was never recovered.

This week Roberts, of Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven pleaded guilty to the theft when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £18 compensation to One Stop Shop for the stolen alcohol. He was also ordered to pay a £32 court surcharge.

Three drug-driving offences and cannabis possession charges admitted in court

A HAKIN man has been sentenced after admitting a string of drug offences committed over a four-month period.

This week Simon Rees, 29, pleaded guilty to three charges of drug-driving and two charges of possessing cannabis – a Class C drug – when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

The first offence took place on October 26, 2025, when Rees was stopped by officers as he drove his Ford Escort near to his home in Observatory Avenue, Hakin. Subsequent blood tests showed he had 5.6 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system, the legal limit being 2.

The following month he was again stopped by officers, this time as he drove along Steynton Road in Milford Haven, when he was found to have 289 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in his system and 7 grams of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

Rees also admitted being in possession of 86 grams of cannabis when he was searched by officers in Haverfordwest on December 11, 2025, and being in possession of 12.9 grams of cannabis during a second police search on January 13.

Rees pleaded guilty to all five charges. He was legally represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries who said the offences took place following the death of a close family member.

“It’s clear that drugs were a realistic factor to the offending, but shortly before, the defendant had lost his uncle, who was the only close family member he had left,” she said.

“This led to his increased drug use.”

Rees was disqualified from driving for a total of 36 months. He was fined £240 and was ordered to pay £170 in prosecution costs and a £96 surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order was made for the drugs.