Crime

Caravan thief caught on M4 with fake number plates

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2024

A CARAVAN thief was apprehended on the M4 using a fake number plate secured with hair ties after raiding a site near Tenby, Swansea Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

Martin Fitzgerald, part of a gang involved in the theft of two caravans from Well Park Caravan Park in New Hedges, was arrested nearly two years after being caught for a similar crime in Wiltshire.

Prosecutor Craig Jones described how police were called to Westlands Lane in Melksham, Wiltshire, on January 29, 2022, around 10.40pm, after the part-owner of a site spotted a car leaving with a Baileys Unicorn caravan. “The site had been accessed via an orchard and a fence had been driven through,” Mr. Jones stated.

Police spotted Fitzgerald towing the caravan with a Nissan X-Trail on the M4, heading towards Bristol, and later the M5. Upon stopping him, they found the car’s registration did not match the vehicle and discovered cutting equipment inside.

On the afternoon of December 11 last year, the owner of Well Park Caravan Park in New Hedges reported two vehicles entering the site and a group of “six to eight” men hitching two caravans to them. Fitzgerald drove away in a Skoda with a Coachman caravan valued at £32,000, while a Kia made off with a £25,000 caravan.

Police stopped Fitzgerald on the M4 at a service station outside Cardiff. He was found driving without a licence or insurance, and the Skoda had a fake number plate secured with hair ties, covering another fake plate. Officers also found bolt cutters, jump leads, a wheel brace, towing wing mirrors, and another number plate.

Fitzgerald was disqualified from driving at the time and was on bail for the previous caravan theft. He admitted theft for the first incident, two offences of attempted theft, going equipped for theft, two offences of fraudulent use of a registration mark, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance for the second incident.

Dan Griffiths, defending, described Fitzgerald as “an isolated, lonely individual who was struggling for money.” He emphasized that given Fitzgerald’s limitations, it was unlikely he planned the thefts and that he had agreed to tow the vehicles for a small amount of money, marking an escalation in the seriousness of his offending.

Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Fitzgerald to 10 months for the Wiltshire theft and a total of 12 months for the Pembrokeshire offences. He also banned Fitzgerald from driving for 17 months.

Crime

Milford Haven disturbance sees two women arrested

Published

9 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO WOMEN were arrested following a disturbance at the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Saturday night (May 9).

The Herald understands the arrests followed an altercation involving four people.

Video circulating on social media shows two women lying face down on the ground outside while handcuffed and restrained by police officers.

In the footage, officers can be heard telling one woman that she is being arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.

Both women were then taken away, each flanked by officers.

Other women can be seen speaking to those detained while they remain on the ground.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for further details, including confirmation of the number of arrests, the nature of the incident, and whether anyone was injured.

Crime

Police standoff ends after four-hour incident in Pembroke Dock

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ELIZABETH COURT SCENE STOOD DOWN AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A FOUR-HOUR police standoff in Pembroke Dock has ended with a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident at Elizabeth Court has now been stood down and the scene released.

The man has been taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “I want to thank local residents for their patience while we dealt with this incident. I understand that such a large police presence in a residential street is concerning to see, and I’m grateful to everyone who co-operated with our officers at the scene.

“I’d like to offer my reassurance that our units responded to an isolated domestic incident, and there was no further threat posed to the wider community. The scene has now been released, and we will investigate the full circumstances of this morning’s incident.”

Officers were called to the address this morning (Saturday, May 9), with a large police presence remaining in the area for several hours.

Eyewitnesses told The Herald that police were asking a man upstairs to come down, with tasers drawn during the incident.

Police dogs, specialist officers and what appeared to be a negotiator were also seen at the scene.

The incident lasted from around 11:00am until about 3:10pm.

Crime

Teen denies attempted murder of Milford Haven teacher

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TEENAGER REMANDED AHEAD OF JULY TRIAL

A 15-YEAR-old boy has denied attempting to murder a teacher during a stabbing incident at Milford Haven School.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 8).

He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding with a knife.

The charges relate to an incident at Milford Haven School on Thursday, February 5, when emergency services were called after reports that a teacher had been assaulted by a pupil carrying a weapon.

The school was placed into lockdown and pupils were later safely evacuated.

The injured teacher was taken to hospital with stab wounds, but was discharged later the same day.

Police said at the time that specialist officers were supporting the victim and the wider school community.

The teenager was remanded in custody following Friday’s hearing.

A trial is due to begin on July 6.