Defendant told court he suffered panic attack after being stopped by police

A PANIC attack after a motorist was asked to provide police with a roadside drug swipe has resulted in a hefty court sentence after the defendant pleaded guilty to a string of motoring offences.

Steven Mathias, 45, was stopped by officers on May 1 when a Police National Computer check revealed his vehicle was being driven along Vine Road, Johnston, without third-party insurance.

When asked to provide a routine roadside drug swipe, Mathias, who was the driver and owner of the vehicle, refused.

This week he pleaded guilty to failing to co-operate with a preliminary test, driving without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Mathias, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, Milford Haven, chose to be legally unrepresented in court.

“I’m remorseful for what happened and accept I was driving without a licence and was uninsured,” he told the court in mitigation. “But my partner had kidney stones, and that day I had to drive her to hospital. This was a genuine reason.

“When I was stopped by the police, I had a panic attack and just wanted to get myself out of the situation. But I accept that’s no excuse.”

Mathias was fined £420 and ordered to pay a £168 court surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Suspended sentence imposed after assault outside Mount Estate shop

A COURT has heard how a man was bitten in the neck by a neighbour as he attempted to withdraw cash from a local cashpoint.

Adam Gilbert-Morris was withdrawing cash from a shop near the Mount Estate, Milford Haven, at approximately 9:00pm on May 5. There he observed 34-year-old Jake Cane walk into the store.

“Mr Gilbert-Morris recognised him, and as Jake Cane walked past, he shoulder-barged Mr Gilbert-Morris and began verbally assaulting him,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Cane then told Mr Gilbert-Morris to “get out of his face”.

“His breath was stinking,” Mr Gilbert-Morris told the court in a victim impact statement. “He then bit me on the right-hand side of my neck.”

The Crown stated that while the bite failed to break the victim’s skin, the action caused the victim an understandably high level of anxiety.

“Jake Cane also called the victim a grass,” concluded Sian Vaughan.

Cane, 34, of Cherry Tree Close, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to common assault. Given the seriousness of the charge, District Judge Mark Layton requested an all-options probation report prior to sentencing.

In her report, probation officer Julie Norman informed the court that Cane had been residing at the Mount Estate, Milford Haven, for approximately two years prior to the offence.

“There are various problems here with anti-social behaviour, and on May 12 there had been a verbal argument between him and the victim,” she said. “The defendant then assaulted Mr Gilbert-Morris, but it was all part of a build-up.”

Julie Norman concluded by saying that Cane is currently planning to move away from the Mount Estate.

After considering the evidence, Judge Layton sentenced Cane to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. During this time he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Adam Gilbert-Morris, in addition to a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

A two-year restraining order was imposed preventing Cane from having any direct or indirect contact with Adam Gilbert-Morris, entering his address, or entering anything in relation to the victim on social media.

Community rallies behind Pill shop owner after latest break-in adds to concerns over repeated attacks on local shops

MILFORD HAVEN residents are rallying behind the owner of AJ Store in Pill Lane after the independent shop was hit by another break-in.

The latest incident has left the shopkeeper facing repair and security costs just nine months after taking over the business.

Supporters say the owner has worked hard to keep the shop running and provide a valuable service to the local community, investing his own time, energy and savings into the business.

A fundraiser has now been launched, with the owner’s permission, to help towards repairs and improved security.

Community support

The appeal says: “Our local shop has recently suffered another break-in, leaving the owner facing repair and security costs that are difficult for a small independent business to manage.

“Having taken over the shop just nine months ago, he has worked hard to keep the business running and provide a valuable service to the local community.

“Following the latest incident, repairs and security improvements are needed to help protect the future of the business.”

Organisers said every donation, however small, would make a difference, and urged those unable to contribute to share the appeal with friends, family and local community groups.

Wider concerns

The break-in comes amid continuing concern about attacks on shops and small businesses in Milford Haven.

The Herald has previously reported on robberies and break-ins affecting traders in the town, including incidents in the Pill Lane and Charles Street areas.

Last year, Pill Corner Store was targeted three times in two months, while the nearby Pill Ship store was also robbed at knifepoint. In another case, the One Stop store in Charles Street was burgled, with tobacco, cigarettes, vapes and other items stolen.

Small independent shops are often left to deal not only with the financial cost of crime, but also the emotional strain and the cost of trying to improve security afterwards.

How to help

Residents wishing to support the AJ Store owner can donate through the community fundraiser here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-local-shopkeeper-get-back-on-his-feet

The appeal is titled “Help A Local Shopkeeper Get Back On His Feet – AJ Store, Pill Lane, Milford Haven” and says donations will go towards repairs and security improvements following the latest break-in

Targeted again: AJ Store in Pill Lane, Milford Haven (Pic: Supplied).