Crime

Pembrokeshire crime victims urged to share experiences of court delays

Published

2 years ago

September 11, 2024

VICTIMS of crime in Pembrokeshire and across England and Wales are being urged to share their experiences of lengthy court delays, as a survey from the Victims’ Commissioner is set to close on Thursday, 12 September. The survey, launched by Baroness Newlove, aims to collect views on how delays in the criminal justice system are affecting victims and the support they receive during these prolonged waits.

Court backlogs have reached unprecedented levels, with figures from the Ministry of Justice showing the Crown Court currently grappling with 67,573 outstanding cases, 16,031 of which have been unresolved for over a year. The survey follows concerns that these delays are contributing to victims withdrawing from the justice process, particularly in cases involving adult rape, where nearly two-thirds of investigations were closed due to victims pulling out.

Baroness Newlove is calling on victims whose cases resulted in criminal charges to complete the anonymous five-minute survey before it closes. Available in both English and Welsh, the survey seeks to shed light on how delays are impacting victims’ mental health and access to justice, with findings set to inform future recommendations to government and criminal justice agencies.

Speaking on the urgency of the issue, the Victims’ Commissioner stated, “No one should be expected to wait years for their case to reach court. Justice is not being delivered in a timely or effective way, and victims are paying the price. With a record backlog in our Crown Courts, the justice system is under immense strain, and we cannot ignore the impact this is having on victims.”

Baroness Newlove continued, “I often hear from victims stuck in limbo, anxiously awaiting their day in court. One victim questioned whether a system that inflicts such delays can truly claim to be delivering justice. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a wider systemic issue, causing real distress.”

Data reveals that at the end of December 2023, over a quarter of all cases (27%) were postponed on the day of the trial, further compounding victims’ frustrations. With Crown Court delays at a record high, Baroness Newlove hopes the survey will help pinpoint how these issues are affecting victims and what steps can be taken to reduce the strain on the system.

The findings from the survey will contribute to a forthcoming report aimed at easing the burden on victims and improving the overall efficiency of the criminal justice process. Victims across Pembrokeshire and beyond whose cases were charged by the Crown Prosecution Service are encouraged to participate, regardless of when their case took place or if it remains ongoing.

To access the regional breakdown of court delays and complete the survey, visit the Victims’ Commissioner’s website.

The survey closes tomorrow, and victims are being urged to take this final opportunity to voice their concerns and influence future changes aimed at restoring fairness and support to the justice process.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.