Crime

Pembrokeshire man sentenced for ‘unhealthy fixation’ with woman

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN who developed ‘an unhealthy fixation’ with a former acquaintance has appeared before a judge on a charge of stalking

For three weeks in May 2024, Jamie Norman bombarded former acquaintance with messages. He also sent numerous unwanted messages to members of her family and her friends.

The victim received the first message from Norman on May 14.

“He messaged her on Facebook, wondering if she’d like to meet up later so they could talk,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton who was sitting in Haverfordwest Magistrates court on Tuesday.

“I’d really like to see you,” he said. “How long has it been? Ten or 15 years?”
Further messages were sent to Jamie Norman on May 21 by one of the defendant’s family members. “He told me that he likes this girl called Amy, so I looked you up,” read the message.

Similar messages continued over several days.

“His [Jamie Norman] desire was to move away with the victim,” continued Ms Jackson. “He then began saying he wanted to marry her. He didn’t know where she lived, but he wanted to go to her house, meet up with her and chat.”

He then posted several items on Facebook, asking his friends’ opinion on whether he should pursue the relationship.

“Do I carry on pursuing Amy?” he asked. “I’d like to know what you think.”

On May 27 he contacted one of the victims friends via Facebook. If you don’t get Amy to message me in the next two hours, I’m phoning the police,” he said. “All I want is an answer, yes or no.”

Ms Jackson said that a total of 72 messages were sent by Norman to the victim as well as approximately four missed phone calls.

“He was repeatedly asking to meet up, saying he wanted to marry her and take her away from her so-called friends,” said Ms Jackson. “She became increasingly concerned, particularly when she found out that the defendant knew where she worked.

“She was becoming increasingly anxious.”

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the former partner of the defendant said she was ‘afraid of the unknown’.

“I don’t know what he’s capable of,” she said. “I don’t think he’s thinking rationally about his actions. It’s the fear of the unknown that really scares me.”

Norman was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“The defendant has no intention of contacting the lady again,” he said. “The messages were not of a threatening nature, but he’d clearly formed a fixation with her. He never intended to hurt the lady and has now deleted Facebook messenger from his phone.”

Norman, 39, of Elm Lane, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm and distress.

“This involved persistent harassment over a long period to the victim, her family and her friends,” said District Judge Mark Layton when imposing sentence.

“He knew her from many years ago, but then developed an unhealthy obsession with her. “He bombarded her, and others, with unwanted messages and this caused her considerable fear and distress.”

Norman was sentenced to 24 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months, and must carry out 20 rehabilitation requirement days and 250 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A restraining order was imposed preventing Norman from having any form of contact, both directly and indirectly, with the victim.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.