News

Police officer denies perverting the course of justice

Published

9 years ago

September 19, 2016

swansea-crown-court

A SERVING OFFICER in Dyfed-Powys Police has denied perverting the course of justice at Swansea Crown Court.

David Norman, 52, of Kensington Gardens, Haverfordwest, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on September 9 to confirm his name and address.

He entered a not guilty plea to a single charge of perverting the course of justice.

The Herald understands that PC Norman attended an argument between neighbours in Wentworth Close, Fairfields, Milford Haven, on Jan 21.

A local resident, Anthony Craig, told The Herald that the argument broke out after his ex-partner accidentally drove into a wheelie bin belonging to another resident in the street.

Following the bump, in which no damage was caused to either the bin or vehicle involved, profanities were exchanged in the street, according to Anthony Craig, and this led to that neighbour’s subsequent arrest by PC Norman.

Anthony Craig told The Herald: “My neighbour and I were both arrested for a breach of the peace, but as I understand it he was never charged with any crime.”

Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “As a result of an investigation by the Dyfed-Powys Police Professional Standards Department, a male officer has been reported for an offence of perverting the course of justice.”

The facts of the case involving Anthony Craig were these: On April 19, 51-year-old Craig admitted assaulting three members of a family who live on his street and damaging a plant pot worth £15.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting during the trial, told the court that a verbal altercation took place in Wentworth Close between a member of Craig’s family and a neighbour, with whom there had been a long-standing neighbour dispute.

The male complainant had been shouting abuse in the street on January 21, so Craig called the police and said that he required attendance. He warned the police to be quick, or he would take matters into his own hands.

Unsatisfied with the time it took the police to arrive, he went to his neighbour’s home, calling him a ‘one-eyed paedophile’.

The defendant pushed the male complainant and swung a number of punches, causing him to fall into his partner, and his partner to fall into her daughter.

The family were then said to have been putting up their middle fingers in the window towards Craig, so, in anger, he threw a plant pot at the complainant’s car.

Due to the assault, the male was slightly bruised with small grazes.

Matthew Greenish, defending Craig at the trial, said: “My client has suffered two years of abuse. On the day, the complainant had been shouting foul language towards his daughter, who has learning difficulties.

“This is the third case I’ve dealt with involving the other side – there’s no smoke without fire. Things came to a head this day.”

Mr Greenish added that this was Craig’s first time before a court.

It is not yet known how this neighbourhood dispute ended up with an officer being charged with perverting the course of justice.

PC Norman will be put on trial on January 16, 2017.

He was released on bail.

Local Government

Milford Haven Hakin by-election candidates confirmed

Published

2 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE LIST of candidates standing in the upcoming Pembrokeshire County Council by-election for the Milford Haven: Hakin ward has been published.

Nominations have now closed, and the official Statement of Persons Nominated has been released by the local authority.

Eight candidates will contest the seat. They are:

Derrick Abbott – Independent
Sam Booth – Wales Green Party
Lee James Bridges – Independent
Duncan Edwards – Independent
Nicola Catherine Harteveld – Welsh Labour
Brian Taylor – Welsh Conservative Party
Scott Thorley – Reform UK
Sam Warden – Welsh Liberal Democrats

The by-election will take place on Tuesday, March 17.

Residents wishing to vote must ensure they are registered by midnight on Friday, February 27. Applications can be made online via the UK Government website.

Applications for new postal votes, or changes to existing postal voting arrangements, must be received by 5:00pm on Monday, March 2. Applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5:00pm on Monday, March 9.

Poll cards will be sent to registered electors ahead of the election. The council has confirmed that registered 16 and 17-year-olds, along with qualifying foreign nationals, are eligible to vote in this election.

Photographic identification will not be required at polling stations.

The full Statement of Persons Nominated, including full party descriptions, is available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

Local Government

Independent Group reshuffle as council tax budget battle looms

Published

3 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Leadership change confirmed weeks before key vote amid warning over school cuts

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s Independent Group has confirmed a change in its leadership arrangements following a meeting held on Tuesday (Feb 18), with the changes taking effect from March 23, 2026.

Cllr Anji Tinley will become Group Leader, while Cllr Elwyn Morse will serve as Deputy Group Leader and take on the role of Chair of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Cllr Michael John will remain Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Cllr Huw Murphy will become Chair of the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The changes reflect the forthcoming appointment of Cllr Delme Harries as Chair of Council at the Annual Meeting on May 15. Under council rules, the Chair of Council cannot simultaneously hold a scrutiny chair role.

The Independent Group also confirmed it will not support the Cabinet’s proposed budget, which includes a 4.6% council tax rise for 2026/27 and a 2% reduction — approximately £2 million — in individual school budgets.

Group members said they hoped councillors across the chamber could work together to agree a budget that avoids cuts to education, particularly in light of recent Estyn inspections that have placed three schools into special measures with safeguarding concerns identified.

However, the Group warned that if a budget is approved that imposes what it described as substantial school funding reductions, it will consider invoking constitutional powers to bring forward a motion to rescind the decision.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

17 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.