A PEMBROKE Dock man has been handed a jail sentence for fraud and theft that was carried out over two years ago, being ordered to pay out substantial compensation.

Alfie Ashley, of Market Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 29 when three historical offences cost him over £3,000 and will result in him having to spend one year in prison.

The court heard that between July 31 and October 25, 2022 Ashley had dishonestly committed fraud by false representation, exposing another person to loss or a risk of loss. This is an offence contrary to sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006,

The 26-year-old also pleaded guilty to two charges of theft from the person of another that dated back to 2023. At Laws Street on September 2 and again on September 12, he had stolen a bank card and £9.50 and £12 respectively.

In each of the three incidents, the victim was the same person, described as ‘vulnerable’ in the hearing. The victim personal statement was read by the prosecutor, Linda Baker, on behalf of Dyfed-Powys Police. Tom Lloyd provided counsel for the defence.

Taking the guilty pleas into account, the defendant was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment (concurrent) for each theft. The custodial sentence was imposed on account of a vulnerable victim and aggravated with other offences.

For the fraud, Ashley was sentenced to 52 weeks in prison. Again, the offence was judged to be so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, as the victim was vulnerable and it had serious detrimental impact, with multiple transactions.

The total compensation set was £3,502, and £85 of costs to Crown Prosecution Service were added.