Claims that he could get a gun from the ‘dark web’ and statements about shooting a woman he harassed have led to a high-risk individual being banned from parts of Pembroke Dock.

Bernard Brady, of Commercial Row, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Wednesday to make an application to vary the conditions of a restraining order, which had been made following a conviction for harassment.

The court heard that Brady previously pleaded guilty to harassing a woman who worked in Specsavers, and a five-year restraining order had been imposed prohibiting from contacting her or entering Dimond Street.

Ellie Morgan, prosecuting, told the bench that Brady, 61, mistook his victim for a former member of staff who he had a grudge against.

Despite being advised to stay away from the woman by police, Brady continued to make her feel distressed, intimidated and frightened by repeatedly walking past her place of work, clenching his fist, spitting in her direction, making gestures and indicating he was watching whenever she was alone, between August 29 and October 12.

Probation officer Mark Brosnan told the bench that concerns had been raised about Brady as he had shown no remorse for his actions towards his victim, and had made references to shooting her.

“He said ‘if I had a gun I would shoot her’ on several occasions.”

Brady also told a case worker that he could go onto the ‘dark web’ and get a gun.

Mr Brosnan added that Brady would be escalated into the category of a ‘high-risk individual’.

Magistrates were told that Brady was currently having to travel to Haverfordwest to do his banking, and while he was not allowed along the length of Dimond Street where his bank was located, he was able to walk to the end of Meyrick Street which was near the opticians.

However, Brady withdrew his application in view of the revelations from the probation service, and magistrates granted a fresh application made by Miss Morgan for an indefinite restraining order, which prohibited him from contacting the victim, or entering Dimond Street, Meyrick Street, Queen Street or Lower Meyrick Street.

Jonathan Webb, defending, said: “There was no threat made, he just said he felt like it. It was not a direct threat, he has no ambition to carry out a threat of that nature.”

The chairman of the bench said: “We would like the probation service to seriously take this on board and deal with you as a high-level danger.

“We are seriously concerned by these comments, especially in view of what has happened in other parts of the world. Comments like this are not to be taken lightly.”