Man convicted of threatening to kill newspaper editor

Martin Shipton

A 34-year-old man has been convicted of threatening to kill the editor of The Pembrokeshire Herald, Tom Sinclair, during an abusive 13-minute phone call, as well as a racially aggravated public order offence against a police officer.

Anthony Jones, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, Pembroke, was also found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence against a police officer.

The threats stemmed from the publication of an online article in the Herald concerning fly grazing and loose horses on roads in the Monkton area — a story originally brought to the newspaper’s attention by local county councillor Jonathan Grimes.

Jones initially contacted Editor Tom Sinclair via Facebook Messenger under the profile name “Excellence Cleaning,” claiming to have information about the horses’ ownership and pressing for Sinclair’s personal mobile number. Shortly after providing it, Sinclair received a call from a withheld number (later traced to Jones by police) at approximately 5:52 pm on 24 February 2025. The call involved sustained verbal abuse, demands to remove the article, explicit death threats against Sinclair, and threats directed at Cllr Grimes.

Sinclair told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court he took the threats seriously, consulting colleagues and the councillor before reporting the matter to Dyfed-Powys Police with supporting evidence including screenshots of the messages and call logs. He described remaining vigilant outside his home that night to protect his family, stating the incident was “on a different level” from typical complaints received in his role.

During the trial, Jones did not give evidence in his defence. His solicitor conceded that he had made the call but argued its contents were not threatening. Jones interrupted proceedings from the dock by shouting that Sinclair was a liar, prompting a stern warning from the magistrates about potential contempt of court.

The court also heard that, upon his arrest in connection with the threats, Jones directed threatening and abusive language towards a police officer originally from Glasgow — behaviour deemed racially aggravated and causing harassment, alarm, or distress.

Magistrates convicted Jones on both counts. He was released on conditional bail and is due to return to court later this month for sentencing.

Bullied

Tom Sinclair, Editor of The Pembrokeshire Herald, said: “I did not take the decision to give evidence lightly. It is because I believe that it is important that the news can be printed without fear or favour, and that journalists should not have to be bullied or threatened for just doing their jobs.

“While I often receive complaints and aggressive calls as part of the role, this was on a different level. Protecting press freedom and the ability to report local stories responsibly remains a core principle for us at the Herald.”