Rose Voon, a 40-year-old woman from Aberystwyth, was sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court to three months in prison for two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. The sentences will run concurrently, and due to the five months she has already spent on remand at Eastwood Park prison, she was ordered to be released immediately following the hearing.

The case revolved around an incident on April 1, when Voon, while in custody at a police station in Aberystwyth, became aggressive, swore, and spat at two police officers and a nurse.

The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Although no physical injuries were reported, one of the officers, PC Heron, expressed significant discomfort and concern over the potential health risks associated with being spat on.

Voon, who is diagnosed as having multiple personality disorder, had been at the police station following an earlier unrelated arrest. She had a stress-induced mental health episode during that arrest, leading to her actions.

During sentencing, His Honour Judge Huw Rees emphasised the complexity of Voon’s situation, citing her extensive history of mental health challenges.

Voon’s defence team urged the court to consider these factors, arguing that she required appropriate support upon her release.

They advocated for her placement in a secure environment where she could access the necessary treatment.

The court was informed that, two days before the hearing, an assessment had been conducted to identify suitable accommodation for Voon.

However, the court also heard that no placement was currently available, and it could take several months before one becomes accessible.

The probation service recommended a limited community order focused on rehabilitation activities, acknowledging the necessity for Voon to transition from her current residence to assisted living.

Judge Rees, however, noted the lack of a clear plan for effectively managing Voon’s needs within the community.

He expressed doubt that a community order with rehabilitation activities would be sufficient, given her complex mental health issues. Despite this, he recognised the immediate need for her release due to the time she had already served in custody.

Voon’s situation remains precarious; while she requires a secure environment, such as supported accommodation, but none is currently available to her.

In his closing remarks, Judge Rees described Voon as an “extremely vulnerable individual” who had suffered significantly due to circumstances beyond her control.

He expressed hope that upon her release, she would return to her accommodation in Aberystwyth and continue working with her community mental health team and social worker.

Voon offered apologies via her counsel to all parties involved in the incident, acknowledging her misconduct and expressing remorse. She was advised to personally apologise to the officers she had assaulted if the opportunity arose.

The judge concluded by warning Voon that repeated offences could lead to longer sentences in the future. He expressed his hope that she would cooperate with those trying to help her and make the necessary changes to avoid further legal trouble. A statutory surcharge was applied, payable within six months.

Voon is expected to return to Aberystwyth, where arrangements are being made to ensure she remains in a supportive and secure environment until better residential support can be provided—support that she urgently needs.

However, the case raises a critical question: why was a person with such complex mental health issues charged and jailed for a minor offence, rather than being provided with the support she so clearly needed? Her incarceration has led to a deterioration in her mental health, including her being seriously assaulted in prison.

When asked why she had pleaded guilty to the two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, Voon revealed that she didn’t even realise she had, raising concerns about her ability to follow the legal proceedings or understand why she was in jail in the first place.

The evidence presented in court indicated that she had no memory of the incident.

A MAN has been charged in connection with the fatal road traffic collision that occurred on Monday, 2nd September 2024, on the A4139 between Tenby and Penally.

Mateusz Sikorski, aged 30, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He appeared before Llanelli Magistrates Court this morning, Thursday, 5th September, where he was remanded in custody. Sikorski is set to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, 7th October.

The collision tragically claimed the life of Christopher Boyle, a well-loved taxi driver from the Tenby area. Boyle, affectionately known as “Mukka” to his friends and customers, was one of the most recognised faces in the local taxi community. His sudden death has left the community in shock, with an outpouring of grief from those who knew him.

Boyle, who resided in Kilgetty, was praised for his dedication to his work and the care he showed to his passengers. Tributes have been pouring in, with one social media post stating, “You were so much more than just a taxi driver, a friend to so many.”

Tim Lemon of Tenby Taxis expressed his sorrow, writing, “Yesterday, as a taxi community, we lost one of the best. The kindest, funniest, most genuine, helpful taxi driver ever. We are all heartbroken, saddened, and in total disbelief at the loss of our colleague and dear friend. Chris was such a character and totally irreplaceable.”

Crow Cabs also shared their grief, saying, “Always smiling and supporting all locals in their businesses, nothing was ever too much for him. Thinking of his family at this sad time. R.I.P Mukka Boy. You will be truly missed, mate.”

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the collision involved a silver Volkswagen and a brown BMW at around 10:15 pm near the junction to School Lane. One person, believed to be Mr Boyle, died at the scene, while another individual was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The victim’s family is being supported by specialist officers.

Floral tributes have been laid at the scene of the crash, further highlighting the deep loss felt by the community. Although police have yet to officially confirm Boyle’s identity as the deceased, the overwhelming response from those who knew him leaves little doubt.

Authorities are appealing for anyone with information regarding the crash to come forward. Witnesses or anyone with relevant details are urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, quoting reference number 405 of Monday, 2nd September. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being drawn back nearly half a century in time with the launch of a new true crime podcast, Crime Next Door: Death on the Farm. This six-part series, produced by BBC Cymru Wales, re-examines one of the county’s most haunting unsolved cases: the brutal slaying of an elderly brother and sister in the quiet village of Llangolman.

In December 1976, the bodies of Griff and Patti Thomas were discovered in their remote farmhouse by a local postman. The violent nature of their deaths shocked the tight-knit community, and a wave of fear swept through the village as residents grappled with the terrifying notion that a killer was in their midst.

At first, suspicions centred on an outsider, a stranger who had invaded their peaceful rural life. But as the days passed, a more unsettling theory emerged, suggesting the possibility of a killer much closer to home. The case, which remains unsolved, has continued to cast a shadow over Llangolman, and the lack of closure has kept the tragedy alive in the memories of those who lived through it.

Crime Next Door: Death on the Farm seeks to answer the burning questions that have lingered for nearly 50 years: Did the police miss crucial evidence? Was justice ever truly served? And why does this case still matter so much to the people of Pembrokeshire?

The podcast features interviews with first-hand witnesses, members of the Llangolman community, and modern-day experts who revisit the evidence with fresh eyes. Narrated by actress Bettrys Jones and produced by Darrell Brown, the series aims to piece together the fragmented story and explore the lasting impact of the murders on the village.

Producer Darrell Brown spoke about the unique connection the community still feels to the case: “It’s unusual to find a case that remains such a topic of conversation for a community, but this one the people of Llangolman refuse to forget. It was a real privilege to tell their story and shine a light on a case that still casts a shadow on the village. We look forward to seeing how audiences respond, and to seeing how the case develops in the coming weeks and months.”

BBC Radio Wales Commissioner Bridget Curnow added: “Hearing the story directly from the voices of the community of Llangolman and their dedication to getting the closure they so want and need is so powerful. The fact that the community is still so dedicated 50 years on shows just how baffling this story is.”

Episode one of Crime Next Door: Death on the Farm is now available on BBC Sounds, with subsequent episodes set to release weekly. However, listeners should be aware that the series contains details that some may find distressing.

For those in Pembrokeshire, this podcast offers more than just a retelling of an old crime—it’s a chance to revisit a story that continues to resonate deeply within our community, and perhaps, to finally find some answers.