Crime

Father must stay out of trouble be jailed, says judge

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2024

A FATHER who attacked his then-girlfriend in a violent outburst has been sentenced to a suspended prison term, with the warning that any further trouble will result in jail time.

Christopher Bendall, 33, of Great Eastern Terrace, Neyland, must remain law-abiding for the next 18 months or serve a 12-month prison sentence for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The incident occurred in the early hours of 6 August 2022, when Bendall returned home after a night out. His then-girlfriend, who had also been out separately, entered his unlocked home at approximately 4.20am. Upon waking Bendall, she questioned him about messages from another woman found on his phone. The confrontation escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical altercation.

Bendall threw a footstool and the victim’s mobile phone at her, both of which missed. He then pushed her to the floor, dragged her by her hair, slapped her face, and dragged her into the hallway. The victim managed to escape by grabbing Bendall by his testicles, causing him to release her grip. She fled the property, taking Bendall’s mobile phone with her.

Following the assault, Bendall called 999, accusing the woman of attacking him. Police initially arrested her but released her after noticing her injuries, which included carpet burns, bruises, and redness. Bendall was then arrested.

The court heard that this was not the first assault. In May, Bendall had thrown his mobile phone at the woman, breaking her finger.

Bendall initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to the two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Three other charges, including controlling or coercive behaviour, assault by beating, and strangulation, were dropped, and not guilty verdicts were formally entered for these counts.

In her victim impact statement, the woman revealed that she had been seeing a counsellor and was on anxiety medication following the assaults. She expressed that she still struggled to feel normal and feared going out alone.

Bendall’s defence highlighted that he was a father of three, a successful solar electrician, and previously of clean character. They noted that he was a good father, very involved with his children, and had well-paid employment. It was also stated that he had abstained from alcohol and had no further incidents since August 2022.

Judge Mr Recorder D Elias KC took into account Bendall’s plea, a pre-sentence report, and two character references. He acknowledged the psychological harm caused to the victim and described the injuries from the second assault as ‘nasty.’

Bendall was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to attend a Building Better Relationships course, undertake ten days of rehabilitation activity, and complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £1,500 in court costs and a £156 victim surcharge within six months.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.