Crime

Milford Haven man who attacked girlfriend back in court again

Published

3 months ago

August 27, 2024

A Milford Haven man who assaulted his girlfriend during a video call to her sister found himself back in court this week after failing to comply with the terms of his suspended sentence.

Zachariah Roberts-Thomas, 23, of Marble Hall Road, was originally handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, in February, following a violent incident in late December. As part of his sentence, Roberts-Thomas was also required to complete the Building Better Relationships programme, 150 hours of unpaid work, and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

However, Roberts-Thomas appeared before Swansea Crown Court again after being accused of breaching his suspended sentence by missing appointments on May 19 and July 7. The court heard that he admitted to missing these appointments, explaining that he was still on a waiting list for the Building Better Relationships programme.

Presiding over the case, Judge Huw Rees warned Roberts-Thomas of the serious consequences of his non-compliance. “You could go to prison for being in breach,” Judge Rees cautioned. “It’s no joke. If you fail to get back on this order, you could go to prison.”

The case was adjourned until September 20, with Judge Rees ordering Roberts-Thomas to complete 30 additional hours of unpaid work and four more rehabilitation activity requirement days before that date. The judge assured the defendant that he would avoid a custodial sentence if he fulfilled these requirements.

The court was previously informed that the assault took place on December 29, when Roberts-Thomas attacked his long-term partner. The victim, visibly distressed, had called her sister at around 7 pm that evening. During the call, Roberts-Thomas could be heard shouting in the background before approaching the victim and punching her in the ribs, hurling a series of vile insults, according to prosecutor Brian Simpson.

When the police arrived at the scene, Roberts-Thomas had already fled, and the victim initially denied that any violence had occurred. However, further messages received by the victim’s sister revealed the defendant’s continued aggression, leading to another police response. Officers found Roberts-Thomas outside the property, heavily intoxicated and shouting that he “just wanted [her] back.”

Defence counsel Dan Griffiths acknowledged his client’s immaturity, stating, “He would be the first to acknowledge he has a lot of growing up to do.”

During the initial sentencing, Recorder Simon Hughes emphasised the need for Roberts-Thomas to receive support, noting, “It’s clear to me you require some assistance. Were you sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence today, you would be released without access to that assistance.”

The outcome of Roberts-Thomas’s compliance with the court’s orders will be determined in September. The community remains vigilant as the justice system addresses this troubling case.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.

“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.