News

Family vow to fight for the truth over tragic Michaela’s death

Published

9 years ago

November 23, 2017

THE FAMILY of an ‘inspirational’ young woman who died in Tenby last year have said they will continue to fight for the truth about how she died. The promise came on the same day that the HM Coroner, Mark Layton has today (Nov 23) criticised police record keeping following her tragic death, and said he would use his powers to send a report to the chief of police, so training issues could be identified and rectified.

Recording an open verdict into her death – just before Christmas 2016 – Mr Layton today said: “I conclude that the decision to treat Miss Haines’ death as non-suspicious was the correct one.- there is no evidence of there being any third party involvement. The toxicologist has explained that GHB is found in the post mortem blood of almost all individuals.

“I conclude that Michaela Marie Haines had gone alone to the block of flats where her former partner lived in the early hours of December 23 and she used the scarf she was wearing as a ligature to suspend herself from the banister.

“However, I do not find beyond reasonable doubt, which is the standard of proof that I must apply, that she intended to take her own life.

“No note of intention was left, and she knew that her former partner would be returning to his flat. My view is that this was a cry for help. It follows that I do not record a conclusion of suicide.”

A prepared statement was read by a solicitor on behalf of the family. The lawyer said: “We are concerned and disappointed that the coroner chose to dismiss our repeated requests to adjourn the inquest until further important evidence was obtained or considered.

“Notwithstanding our disappointment we believe that this inquest has highlighted a number of failings in the manner in which Michaela’s sudden death was investigated by the police.

“This will be the subject of further litigation against Dyfed-Powys Police – and as such – we do not feel that it is appropriate to comment further on our particular concerns at this stage.

“We agree that based on the evidence before him, and the stage at which this inquest was heard, the only decision that the coroner could have arrived at was an open conclusion.

“As a family we will continue to fight to find out how Michaela came to her death.”

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.