News

Church cash box thief jailed

Published

7 years ago

July 11, 2019

A MAN, who admitted stealing a money box from St Katherine’s Church in Milford Haven, has been jailed for 12 weeks.

Sam Maguire, aged 33, of no fixed abode, will also have to pay back the money that was in the box.
He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday (Jul 9), via video link from Swansea prison, to plead guilty to a charge of theft by finding.

Prosecuting, Mr Abul Hussain told the Court: “On March 24, Mr David Roland noticed that the metal pricket stand and the cash box was missing. He viewed the CCTV and noticed a male taking the items.
The police attended and they identified the person from the footage. The items haven’t been recovered. The defendant was shown the footage and although he can’t remember the incident he said he was sure it is him in the footage. He has little recollection of the incident but he does accept he did it.

“Compensation is being sought in the sum of £575.”

Defending, Mark Layton added: “He has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and I am sure you will give him credit.

“The items concerned, a metal pricket stand that has spikes used to store candles and the cash box was connected in some way.

“He said he stole the stand because the cash box was connected to it. He owed somebody some money and saw this as a way to pay off that debt.

“He has moved out of the area but I am sure he is no longer welcome at the church under any circumstances but he has no desire to go back there.

“This is his first custodial sentence and he tells me he is finding it extremely difficult to manage.”

Mr Layton had suggested that the Magistrates could impose a 2-year conditional discharge to leave this hanging over his head should he re-offend.

Magistrates did not agree and sentenced him to 12 weeks in prison. They said they had done this because the offence was committed whilst he was on a community order and that it was a breach of the public trust.

Maguire will have to pay a £115 victim surcharge and £575 in compensation.

News

Pendine cliff fall victim recovering after major emergency response

Published

25 minutes ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 22-YEAR-OLD man who suffered serious injuries after falling from cliffs overlooking Pendine Beach is recovering well following emergency surgery.

The man was visiting Pendine with friends on a weekend break when the incident happened on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene after he fell from a cliff edge above the beach, sustaining significant chest, facial and pelvic injuries.

A major multi-agency response was launched involving the Welsh Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard, Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance. Personnel from Pendine Community Council also assisted at the scene.

After receiving emergency treatment, the casualty was airlifted to Cardiff for specialist hospital care, where he underwent surgery.

An update released with the consent of the injured man and his family confirmed that he is now recovering well.

The young man, his family and friends have expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue effort, treatment and ongoing care.

Special thanks were paid to local resident Michaela Dance, an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, who was first on the scene and provided immediate assistance before emergency crews arrived.

The family said they were extremely thankful for the professionalism, skill and compassion shown by all emergency service personnel and those who helped during the incident.

Despite the seriousness of the injuries sustained, the outcome has been positive, with family and friends acknowledging that the situation could have been far worse.

Pictured are the injured man’s friends with Michaela Dance, presenting her with a gift as a token of their appreciation for the assistance she provided following the incident.

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

16 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

16 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.