Crime
Man banned from entering pub after unprovoked assault on barman
A MEMBER of Traveller Community has been banned from entering ‘The First and Last’ pub, Pembroke Dock, after punching a bar staff member to the head, causing him to fall to the ground.
Barman Darren Carey was hit to the back of his head by customer Francis McDonagh, who had spent the evening of September 8 drinking in ‘The First and Last’.
“Mr Carey finished his shift at 6.30pm but he stayed behind for a game of pool,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“Just after 12.30am, the defendant and his partner were leaving the pub and Mr Carey went with them to open the back door as he knew they were staying in a motorhome at the back of the pub.”
Suddenly McDonagh turned towards Mr Carey and punched him to the back of his head, causing him to fall backwards to the floor.
In a victim impact statement read to District Judge Mark Layton, Mr Carey said the incident has left him feeling nervous about working at the pub.
“I almost lost consciousness and had to take time off work as a result of my injury,” he said. “The person who did this was a traveller, and while I don’t want to tar them all with the same brush, it’s left me feeling concerned. I don’t go to work to get punched…I go to work to earn money.”
After pleading guilty to the charge of assault by beating, McDonagh, of Pellay Road, Port Talbot, was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Carey. He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £114 surcharge.
A two-year restraining order was imposed, preventing him from having any contact with Mr Carey, and from entering ‘The First and Last’ pub.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
Crime
Sex offender jailed for breaching court order
A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.
Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.
Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.
The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.
Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.
Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”
She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.
Crime
Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.
Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.
If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods:
- Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 101
You can also provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers:
- Phone: 0800 555 111
- Website: crimestoppers-uk.org
Please quote reference number 24*944729 when providing information.
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