Crime

Court orders destruction of illegal fighting dog after owner fined

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2024

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared before magistrates after being found to be in possession of a prohibited fighting dog.

On April 3, officers attended a property in Haverfordwest, following concerns that an XL Bully was being kept there, which is a breed prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

There they discovered Leon Jones, 26, together with a dog which they suspected of being an XL Bully. The dog was removed from the premises for a formal examination to be carried out, and this concluded that it was indeed a fighting dog and an XL Bully.

This week Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates that in January of this year, the same dog had bitten a young child, which had resulted in an injury. However Ms Jackson gave no details of the extent of the injury, nor its nature.

The Crown made an application for a destruction order to be made for the dog, plus compensation to cover the cost of kennelling since its discovery in April. This totalled £3,825.

However Jones’ solicitor, Katy Hanson, claimed the defendant always ensured that the dog was muzzled when it was taken outside, and was always walked on a lead. She said the defendant had also made an application to register the dog.

“His partner had made the application but there was some confusion,” she said.

“By the time he was notified, the date for registration had passed.”

Jones, of Fleming Crescent, Haverfordwert, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a fighting dog.

After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Jones £120 and ordered him to pay £200 towards the kennelling costs, £85 prosecution costs and a £48 court surcharge.

Magistrates also ordered a destruction order on the dog, however if it is legally registered within 60 days, the dog will be allowed to survive.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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.