Crime

London man caught shoplifting receives conditional discharge

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2024

A MAN who travelled from London to west Wales has been found with thousands of pounds worth of suspected stolen goods after being stopped in a supermarket car park.

Giorgi Khvedelidze, 47, was apprehended by police in the car park of Lidl in Milford Haven on 3rd July. Following a search of his vehicle, officers discovered items worth approximately £5,000, many of which still bore security tags, according to prosecutor Alycia Carpanini. The goods were believed to have been taken from various retailers, including Tesco, Asda, and Boots.

Among the recovered items were razor blades, electric toothbrushes, and nicotine products. Tools typically associated with shoplifting, such as a magnet, four pairs of scissors, a pocket knife, and a screwdriver, were also found inside Khvedelidze’s car.

Ms Carpanini explained that Khvedelidze had travelled to Pembrokeshire from London, stopping en route in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Some of the stolen goods were traced back to the Tesco store in Cardigan, where CCTV footage showed Khvedelidze entering the store on the afternoon of 3rd July. He was seen placing some items in his basket and others in a bag before paying only for the basketed goods. Following a stock check, Tesco confirmed £732 worth of merchandise was missing.

During his hearing, Khvedelidze, of Western Avenue, North Acton, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and going equipped for theft. His defence solicitor, Mr Bowen, told the court that his client’s behaviour stemmed from the recent loss of his mother.

Although Bowen acknowledged that the grief did not excuse Khvedelidze’s actions, he offered it as a possible explanation for his mental state at the time. He also emphasised that Khvedelidze had no previous criminal record and was eager to turn his life around, including seeking employment as soon as his asylum status allowed.

“He’s eager to tackle his issues relating to substance misuse,” Bowen added, noting that his client had already reduced his drug usage since arriving in the UK.

The judge, Recorder Aidan Eardley, acknowledged that Khvedelidze had already spent two months in custody, equating to a four-month sentence. Given his time served and personal circumstances, the judge sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge.

This means that Khvedelidze will face no further punishment unless he commits another offence within the next year.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

3 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

Crime

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.