Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Judge demands inquiry into Haverfordwest court knife incident

Published

on

A JUDGE has said today he expected an inquiry into how a defendant managed to get a knife passed security at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Lukasz Robert Pawlowski, aged 33, even got the knife into the dock of a court where he used it to slash his own throat while magistrates considered what sentence to pass.

Pawlowski, of Pembroke Dock, had to be airlifted to Swansea’s Morriston hospital after the incident on January 11.

Pawlowski appeared before Judge Paul Thomas at Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced for the original offence of sexual assault and now also possessing a knife in a public place.

Judge Thomas said he expected an inquiry.

“This was a serious breach of court security. I have little doubt others will be in trouble because of it,” he added.

Robin Rouch, prosecuting, said the first offence took place on October 30 when Pawlowski walked into a shop in Pembroke Dock and asked a 30 year old assistant for a kiss.  She refused but he leant over the counter and kissed her.

Pawlowski then asked for details about the prices of alcohol.  When she stepped from behind the counter to help him he grabbed her and kissed her on the lips.

“She began to cry. Afterwards, she said she felt dirty and thought she could no longer work in the shop unless the manager was there,” added Mr Rouch.

Pawlowski was arrested and told police he has “misread” the situation and was sorry.

Pawlowski appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on January 11 to be sentenced.

Mr Rouch said magistrates needed to read a pre sentence report prepared by a probation officer. While they were doing that Pawlowski was allowed to use a toilet and returned to the dock 60 seconds later.

The court clerk noticed he was rustling through a bag and then saw him apparently scratching the right side of his neck.  Although no blood was visible at first it became clear he was holding a knife and then Pawlowski made a “concerted” effort to cut his throat.

He bled profusely and was found to be clutching a black kitchen knife with a three inch blade.

Mr Rouch said three mental health nurses attending a neighbouring courtroom went to his assistance and he was airlifted to hospital.

Mr Rouch said he had made a serious effort to injure himself.

It transpired, he added, that Pawlowski had hidden the knife in the toilet after entering the court building but before he went into the courtroom.

Jon Tarrant, the barrister representing Pawlowski, said it appeared he had got it into his head that he would go to prison, although that wasn’t the case.

“He appears to have misread that too,” said Mr Tarrant.

Pawlowski was later remanded into custody and held at Parc prison near Bridgend.

Judge Thomas said it was ironic that Pawlowski had been afraid of going to jail and then had done something which would land him in jail.

He said he found the case unique.

He told Pawlowski, “You have caused a great deal of alarm and distress to the people who saw what you were doing.”

And he told him it had been “very wrong” to grab a woman and kiss her on the lips.

Drunkenness appeared to be behind it, he added, but that was no excuse.

Judge Thomas said Pawlowski had served two months in jail on remand and that was enough.

Pawlowski was made the subject of a three year community order and told to complete 10 days of a rehabilitation activity. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and to register with the police as a sex offender for the next five years.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from making contact with his sex victim.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

on

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

Continue Reading

News

Late Griffiths strike caps dramatic Clarby fightback in nine-goal thriller

Published

on

CLARBESTON ROAD staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Pennar Robins in a breathless Division One contest that delivered nine goals, wild swings of momentum and a hat-trick that ultimately counted for nothing.

Despite falling behind on three separate occasions, Clarby showed resilience and attacking intent to secure a 5–4 victory, sealed late on by Emyr Griffiths after the hosts had earlier trailed 3–1 in the first half.

For Pennar, the result was a bitter one. Jack Jones struck three times and the Robins led at 1–0, 3–1 and 4–3, but each advantage slipped away as Clarby refused to lie down.

The opening exchanges hinted at little of what was to come. Ben ‘Rocky’ John tested Pennar goalkeeper Ryeley Clark early on, while Tom Davies dragged an effort wide at the other end. The game burst into life after nine minutes when Pennar opened the scoring following a slick team move. Nicholas Willis drove forward down the right, combined neatly with Kieran Smith and Noah Davison, and was tripped inside the box. Jack Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Clarby responded almost immediately. Player-manager Matthew Ellis, keen to atone for conceding the penalty, rose to head home Travis Jones’ corner at the near post just two minutes later.

Pennar regained control midway through the half. Tom Grimwood’s curling corner was met by Jones, who nodded in at the back post, and moments later the same duo combined again as Jones completed his hat-trick, finishing from close range after Grimwood beat his marker and cut the ball back.

Crucially, Clarby struck back before the break. Matthew Bowen delivered an inviting cross from the left and John powered a header past Clark to give the hosts renewed belief heading into half-time.

With the wind at their backs, Clarby came out flying after the restart. John levelled matters by cutting inside and firing low into the corner, before sustained pressure saw Matthew Davies have a goal ruled out for offside and substitute Josh Woods flash a shot across goal.

Against the run of play, Pennar edged back in front on 69 minutes when substitutes combined — Adam Phillips delivering a cross that Conner Phillips met unmarked to head home.

Once again, Clarby refused to fold. Jack Ashman drove forward from the edge of the area and thundered a high finish into the net to make it 4–4, before the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Griffiths broke through the Pennar back line and showed composure to lift the ball beyond Clark, completing a stunning turnaround.

Clarby managed the closing stages well to see out a vital win ahead of the Christmas break.

Man of the match: Jack Jones
Despite ending on the losing side, Jones’ clinical finishing and constant threat were impossible to ignore. Kieran Smith and Noah Davison were also influential in Pennar’s first-half dominance, while Ben John was central to Clarby’s revival before limping off with a knee issue.

Clarby player-manager Matthew Ellis said: “It’s a huge three points. After nine goals your head’s spinning a bit, but you’ll take it when you’re on the right side of the result. Pennar caused us problems early on, but we really turned it around after the break.”

Pennar manager Craig Butland said: “The second half wasn’t good enough. Individual errors are hurting us and conceding just before half-time changed the momentum. We’ve got to see games out better.”

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Matthew Bowen, Greg Brown, Matthew Griffiths, Samuel Hurton, Jack Ashman, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (capt), Matthew Ellis, Ben John (Jake Wesley 62), Travis Jones. Sub not used: Joseph Jones.

Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Nick Willis (Ryan Walters 80), Alex Wheeler (Adam Phillips 53), Ethan Ball, Bobby Jones (Conner Willis 53), Connor Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Kieran Smith (capt), Noah Davison, Jack Jones, Toby Davies.

Referee: Stefan Jenkins.

Continue Reading

Crime

Ex-Gwent police officer now living in Pembrokeshire cleared of corruption

Published

on

A FORMER police officer from Pembrokeshire has been found not guilty of corruption following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Luke Silver, aged 34, formerly of Gwent Police, had denied three charges relating to the improper use of police power or privilege. The allegations centred on claims that he made sexually inappropriate and unwanted comments to two women he encountered while on duty.

Jurors heard that one allegation involved remarks allegedly made to a woman during a police interview, while other claims related to similar conduct during separate encounters. Mr Silver denied all wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.

After hearing the evidence, a jury acquitted him of all charges.

Despite the verdict, Gwent Police confirmed that Mr Silver is no longer a serving officer. The force said he was dismissed in April following an accelerated misconduct hearing that dealt with matters separate from the criminal case.

Reporting restrictions had previously been imposed on the misconduct proceedings to prevent any potential prejudice to the criminal trial. Those restrictions were lifted following the conclusion of the court case.

The misconduct panel found that Mr Silver had breached standards of professional behaviour on two occasions, relating to honesty and integrity, and conduct likely to bring discredit on the police service.

As a result, he has been placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from working for any police force in the future.

Assistant Chief Constable Nick McLain said Mr Silver was no longer employed by Gwent Police and stressed the force’s commitment to maintaining public trust.

He said the public rightly expects officers to uphold the highest standards of behaviour, adding that the force would continue to act decisively where conduct falls short.

Continue Reading

Crime4 hours ago

Ex-Gwent police officer now living in Pembrokeshire cleared of corruption

A FORMER police officer from Pembrokeshire has been found not guilty of corruption following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court....

Business7 hours ago

Pembroke Dock restaurant to close on Christmas Day after £23,000 rates rise

A PEMBROKE DOCK restaurant owner has said she is “devastated” after being forced to close her business on Christmas Day...

Crime1 day ago

Milford Haven man denies child sex charges as trial date set

A MAN originally from Milford Haven has pleaded not guilty to a series of sexual offences involving a child after...

Crime2 days ago

Bail revoked for teenager charged with rape following Sands Nightclub allegation

A TEENAGER charged with rape following an alleged incident at a Saundersfoot nightclub has been remanded into custody after bail...

Crime2 days ago

Former police officer accused of making sexual remarks to women while on duty

Court hears allegations of inappropriate behaviour during official police visits A FORMER police officer has appeared in court accused of...

Community3 days ago

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to...

Crime3 days ago

Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub

Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an...

Crime3 days ago

Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers

A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been...

Crime3 days ago

Court hears historic child sex abuse claim emerged after ‘tarot reading’

Judge reminds jurors there is no standard timeframe for victims to come forward as trial reaches final stage A JURY...

Crime4 days ago

Rape allegation investigated at Saundersfoot nightclub

Police appeal for witnesses after incident reported in early hours of Sunday DYFED-POWYS POLICE are investigating an allegation of rape...

Popular This Week