Crime
Man jailed for assault on woman at her Fishguard home
A MAN from Ammanford has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after strangling his partner during a heated altercation, Swansea Crown Court heard.
Louis Aris, 29, of Stepney Road, Ammanford, assaulted his partner at her home in Fishguard on July 27 after she told him not to strike the washing line, as he was “in a bad mood.” Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court that the victim had been in a relationship with Aris for about a year and had been feeling as if she was “walking on eggshells” around him due to his aggressive behaviour that day.
The court heard that Aris went into the garden and hit the washing line. When his partner, who was preparing to go out, asked him not to do so, he ripped one of the doors off a mirror in a fit of rage. The victim began recording the incident on her phone, at which point Aris grabbed her by the throat, leading to a physical struggle during which he also pushed her.
As we previously reported, fearing for her safety and the safety of her young son, who was in the house, the victim texted a friend asking them to come and collect her child. During the confrontation, Aris reportedly grabbed a knife and threatened to harm himself if the police were called. The victim tried to flee through the back garden, but Aris blocked her path. She eventually managed to call the authorities.
Aris was arrested shortly afterwards in the back garden of a kebab shop in the Fishguard area. Upon his arrest, he claimed, “It’s all lies,” and later told officers that the red marks on his partner’s neck were caused by “a push.”
Ms Donohue told the court that Aris had a history of violent offences, including nine previous convictions for 20 offences, such as common assault in 2015, battery against a woman in 2018, and battery against a bar staff member in 2019.
David Singh, defending, acknowledged the severity of the offences but emphasised Aris’ early guilty pleas to charges of criminal damage, battery, and strangulation. He told the court these were “of particular importance in cases of this nature.”
Judge Catherine Richards expressed concern over the risk Aris posed to the victim, noting that he had been assessed as a high risk of reoffending. “Only immediate custody is the appropriate means of punishment,” the judge said.
Aris was sentenced to 15 months in prison and given a two-year restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim.
FOUR men have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary following a high-value break-in at an industrial estate in Aberystwyth.
The incident occurred at around 9:30pm on Saturday (Apr 12), when a large quantity of e-bikes—worth an estimated £150,000—was stolen from a property on the Glan Yr Afon Industrial Estate in Llanbadarn Fawr.
Gavin Johnson, 39, Keith Johnson, 32, Gareth Corbett, 36, and Wayne Dreisey, 40, all from the Birmingham area, have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
They appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on April 19 and have been remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 19.
Another man, aged 33, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and has been released on bail while further enquiries continue.
A MAN who recently lost a by-election standing for the Reform UK party has been co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council — just two days before political graffiti appeared at Withybush Retail Park.
Scott Thorley, who stood for Reform UK in the Prendergast by-election earlier this year, was appointed to Haverfordwest Town Council during a co-option meeting on Thursday (Apr 17).
Mr Thorley came fourth in a closely fought six-way contest for a seat on Pembrokeshire County Council, securing 71 votes. The by-election, held on Tuesday, February 11, was triggered by the resignation of former Conservative councillor Andrew Edwards, who stepped down following widespread backlash over racist comments attributed to him.
Independent candidate Alun Wills ultimately won the seat with 199 votes (31.6%), ahead of Kaleb Jenkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160), Mike Mathias (Welsh Conservative, 136), Scott Thorley (Reform UK, 71), Alison Tudor (Welsh Labour, 57), and James Henry Purchase (Wales Green Party, 8).
But on Saturday morning (Apr 19), just two days after Mr Thorley’s co-option, residents and shoppers were greeted with a string of large political slogans sprayed across walls and walkways at Withybush Retail Park. Messages included: “KEIR STARMER OUT, REFORM IN! GOD SAVE US” and a separate large slogan reading: “VOTE REFORM” — all daubed in white capital letters.
The incident has since been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, new town councillor Scott Thorley said: “Whoever has done this, it is vandalism plain and simple.”
Mr Thorley, who works at the retail park himself, said he did not notice the graffiti when arriving at work and was only made aware after a colleague sent him photos by phone.
He added: “The phrase ‘God Save Us’ doesn’t really sound like something a younger person would write — maybe it’s someone older. But whoever it was, this was not done by Reform. It does not help us — it’s embarrassing.”
Mr Thorley also noted the timing of the incident, saying: “It’s a bit fishy this happened less than two days after I was accepted onto the town council.”
Haverfordwest county councillor Thomas Baden Tudor told The Herald: “Damage to public or private property is completely unacceptable, and if anyone has any information on who carried out this act of vandalism, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously — online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.
“They’ll ask questions about the crime but won’t ask about you.
“Antisocial behaviour is not tolerated or acceptable in Haverfordwest.”
He added: “Alternatively, anyone with information can also call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.
The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted new county councillor Alun Wills by telephone for a comment. He said: “I have not seen the graffiti yet, I have just come back from work.” Cllr Wills said he had seen a media post about the incident, believed to be on The Herald’s Facebook page.
At the time of going to press, we are awaiting Cllr Wills to come back to us with a further comment.
The police have been contacted for a statement.
A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared in court accused of assaulting and strangling a woman on two separate occasions.
Ali Miah, aged 33, of Bush Row, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 16), facing three charges.
The court heard that Miah is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation during an incident in Haverfordwest on April 13. He also faces a further charge of intentional strangulation, alleged to have taken place on November 1, 2023, involving the same woman.
The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where Miah is due to appear to enter his pleas on May 16.
He was granted bail.
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