St Clears: Burger van knife threat leads to jail

Published

10 years ago

January 15, 2016

A ST CLEARS man who tried to sort out a dispute about a hamburger van with a six inch kitchen knife has been jailed for four months today.

Michael Bramley, aged 46, threatened to stab the owner of a taxi company.

Swansea crown court heard that Bramley, who admitted a charge of possessing a bladed article in a public place, lived in Maes y Bryn and next door to the JRV Cars taxi business.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said the owner of the business, Jason Vaughan, had been allowed to park the hamburger van on Bramley’s land.

Bramley asked him to remove it but there was a delay while Mr Vaughan found a vehicle with a towbar attached.

However, Bramley became fed up of waiting and early on December 17 he went to the taxi firm while still dressed in his pyjamas.

Mr Jones said a driver arrived and noticed that Bramley appeared to be drunk and had a knife tucked into his sleeve.

“He swore and said he would cut Mr Vaughan,” added Mr Jones.

A second driver arrived and told Bramley to go home before telephoning Mr Vaughan and advising him to stay away.

Judge Peter Heywood said, “Heaven knows what might have happened had he shown up.

“You could have been looking at far more serious charges. You had a vicious looking knife with you and you made it clear you were looking for Mr Vaughan.

“And you made various obscene comments about what you would do when you saw him.”

Bramley’s barrister, James Hartson, said he had not used the knife to actually hurt anyone.

Judge Heywood said the Court of Appeal had made it very clear what approach courts should take when dealing with someone armed with a knife.

Bramley was also made the subject of a restraining order for two years banning him from approaching Mr Vaughan or his business.

Driver denies injuring dog walker and elects Crown Court trial

Published

29 minutes ago

April 7, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Harry Sutton-Brown, 28, is accused of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving in Penally

A MOTORIST has elected for a Crown Court trial after being charged with causing serious injury to a dog walker in Penally.

Harry Sutton-Brown, aged 28, is accused of causing serious injury to Joanne Morris by careless or inconsiderate driving on Village Road, Penally.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the prosecution alleges Sutton-Brown struck Ms Morris on November 22, 2024, as he negotiated a bend in his Hyundai i30.

However, his solicitor said the complainant had been walking “three abreast” with two other people while exercising a dog.

“As the defendant came around the bend, the pedestrians were walking across the road in the central reservation,” his solicitor told the court.

“The defendant was blinded by the sun and he didn’t see the pedestrians in the middle of the road.”

Sutton-Brown, of Boars Head Bridge, Templeton, elected for trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The case will next be before the Crown Court on May 8.

He was released on unconditional bail.

Questions raised as 81-year-old woman faces drink-drive case

Published

35 minutes ago

April 7, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Defence solicitor tells Haverfordwest magistrates his client was medically unable to provide a breath sample and should have been offered an alternative test

QUESTIONS have been raised over whether the interests of justice are being served after an 81-year-old motorist was charged with failing to provide a breath specimen for analysis.

Kate Telford appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week after being listed for trial following her arrest on March 1.

The court heard that she was taken to Haverfordwest police station and asked to provide a breath sample. When she failed to co-operate, she was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

But her solicitor, Michael Kelleher, challenged the conduct of police officers during the incident, arguing that his client was physically unable to complete the test.

“The prosecution claims this was a deliberate failure to provide a breath sample, but the defendant has a growth in her mouth, a heart issue and her breathing isn’t sufficient to allow her to breathe into a breathalyser machine,” he said.

“All this information can be obtained from her doctors.

“The day she was arrested, the police should have provided her with an alternative method – a nurse was available to take blood, and there was also the option of a urine test. But basically, the police didn’t believe her and thought she was putting it all on. Even her request to sit on a chair was refused.

“This woman has no experience of criminal law, she has no previous convictions and she didn’t know how to argue her own case. Previous appeals have been refused in the interests of justice, but surely the interests of justice aren’t being met by failing to grant an appeal.”

After retiring to consider the submissions, the Bench refused Mr Kelleher’s application to appeal against the indictment.

“We have carefully considered the appeal before us and have gone through each of the five grounds,” said the presiding magistrate.

“We find that none of the factors apply to this case, therefore the appeal fails.”

Crime

Two men sent to Crown Court over alleged drugs supply offences

Published

37 minutes ago

April 7, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Lee Miskin, 52, and Saul Miskin, 21, are accused of offences involving cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine in Pembroke Dock

TWO men have appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with drug offences involving cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis.

Lee Miskin, aged 52, and Saul Miskin, aged 21, both of St Davids Close, Hubberston, are each accused of possessing controlled drugs with intent to supply.

Saul Miskin is charged with possessing 261 grams of cannabis with intent to supply and 47.36 grams of amphetamine with intent to supply. He also faces three further charges of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine.

Lee Miskin is charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine. He also faces two further charges of possessing 261 grams of cannabis and 47.36 grams of amphetamine with intent to supply.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Milton and Pennar, Pembroke Dock, between January 2023 and February 2024.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court.

Both defendants are due to enter pleas on May 8.

They were released on unconditional bail.