Crime

Judge criticises reluctance to jail offenders after Haverfordwest hammer attack

Published

8 hours ago

October 21, 2024

A CROWN COURT judge has hit out at the judicial service’s reluctance to send criminals to custody despite their regular offending when sentencing a Haverfordwest man accused of attacking his victim with a lump hammer.

Addressing Joshua Lee, 21, when he appeared for sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on Monday for a revenge attack against a man he accused of raping his best friend’s sister, Judge Geraint Walters condemned the system for handing out persistent Community Orders instead of custodial sentences.

“Pussyfooting around with sentencing is a mistake in many cases,” he said.

“What’s the point of a fine or a Community Order, when on and on it goes?

“This is a man who needs help, but sometimes that means a more serious sentence.”

Lee, 21, had pleaded guilty to attacking his victim with a lump hammer in Salutation Square, Haverfordwest on the afternoon of Sunday, August 25.

Counsel for the Crown, John Hartson, KC, said the attack took place soon after 4pm.

“The victim was walking through the town centre when he was assaulted by the defendant and punched to the back of his head,” he said.

“[The victim] turned around and recognised the defendant but he was then punched to the head numerous times. There were 20 hits to his head and he was also hit twice to his face. The defendant then produced a lump hammer and used it to hit the victim to his right temple. He felt immediate pain.”

The defendant ran off but was later traced by police officers to an address in Fleming Crescent, Haverfordwest.

“He came out with his arms in front of him, saying, ‘So [the victim] raped my best friend’s sister. Now I’ve dealt with it.”

Meanwhile defence counsel David Johns, KC, said Lee’s life in the run-up to the revenge attack had been exceptionally difficult.

“He had a very difficult upbringing and was put into the care system when he was two years old where he was physically abused,” he said.

“This is a young man with mental health problems, who’s extremely immature, and it’s exacerbated by the fact that he’s had little or no moral guidance.

“Maybe if he’d had some sort of proper support before now, things would have been different.”

Mr John’s comments were endorsed by Judge Geraint Walters.

“The defendant was brought up in the most depressing way, and that is not his fault,” said Judge Walters.

“No two-year-old can be blamed for being taken into care and no two-year-old can be blamed for being abused so yes, you are the product of your upbringing.

“The courts, over the years, have given you one Community Order after another and they’ve achieved absolutely nothing. Someone should have taken the bull by the horns before now.

“You’re now getting some structured intervention in the prison which you were not getting in the community. I’d like to think that this is the last time that you’ll end up in court.”

Joshua Lee pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and to possessing an offensive weapon, namely a lump hammer, in a public place.

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Half of this sentence will be served in custody with the remaining time being served on post-sentence supervision.

A five-year restraining order was imposed, preventing him from having any form of direct and indirect contact with the victim and a forfeiture and destruction order was made for the lump hammer.

Crime

Police name four-month-old baby who died in Clynderwen

Published

4 hours ago

October 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE have identified a four-month-old baby who died in the Pembrokeshire village of Clynderwen.

Emergency services were called to Clynderwen on Friday afternoon (Oct 18). Dyfed-Powys Police attended following a call from the Welsh Ambulance Service concerning the welfare of a four-month-old boy at around 1:45pm. Sadly, the boy died at the scene.

Two people—a 19-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man—were arrested on suspicion of child neglect and have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed that the baby was named Kali Creed Green. A spokesperson for the force said: “Dyfed-Powys Police can confirm that the name of the four-month-old baby, who sadly died in Clynderwen on October 18, is Kali Creed Green.

“Officers continue to investigate the circumstances around his death.

“Two people—a woman aged 19 and a man aged 23—were arrested on suspicion of child neglect and have now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

“His death is being treated as unexplained, and HM Coroner has been advised.”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called [on October 18] shortly after 1:30pm to reports of an incident in Clynderwen.

“We sent two emergency ambulances, one Cymru high acuity response unit paramedic, one duty operational manager, and a co-responder from Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service.

“Advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service in a Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.”

Crime

Former Learning Support Assistant sold drugs to child, 15

Published

1 day ago

October 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A FORMER school learning support assistant has been jailed for selling drugs to a teenager.

Bethan Picton, of Nubian Crescent, Hakin, stood before Swansea Crown Court charged with involvement in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, LSD, and cannabis, alongside drug possession.

Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini explained that police approached Picton while she was sitting in her car at Brunel Quay, Neyland, on 27 April last year after receiving information linking her to drug activities.

During the encounter, officers discovered a one-gram bag of cannabis and a grinder in her car, leading to her arrest for possession.

A subsequent search of Picton’s home revealed additional drugs, including £50 worth of LSD, £80 of cocaine, and £10 of MDMA.

Analysis of Picton’s seized phone uncovered messages dating back to September 2022, indicating she had been selling drugs.

The exchanges showed that Picton sold drugs to a 15-year-old, who appeared to be purchasing for their 17-year-old partner. According to Ms Carpanini, Picton inquired about the buyer’s age but proceeded with the sale even after learning they were 15.

During questioning, Picton claimed the drugs were for her personal use and insisted there would be no evidence of dealing on her phone.

She also stated that the only bank deposits were repayments from two friends she had loaned money to. However, Ms Carpanini informed the court that investigations revealed multiple payments totaling around £5,700 into her account over a six-month span.

Picton had a prior conviction for drug-driving, having previously been caught driving under the influence of cannabis and cocaine—an offence that led to her dismissal from her role as a learning support assistant.

The court heard that 27-year-old Picton had struggled with drug addiction. Her lawyer, Jon Tarrant, explained that the delay in her guilty plea stemmed from fear about the consequences of her actions.

“She was genuinely terrified of what would come next,” he said. “This situation unfolded over a relatively short period of around seven months.”

He acknowledged the seriousness of dealing in Class A drugs, adding: “There’s only one outcome for those who engage in this kind of activity.”

Judge Catherine Richards, in sentencing, emphasized the harm caused by Class A drug use. “These substances destroy lives—both those who use them and the people close to them,” she said.

Commenting on the sale to the 15-year-old, Judge Richards remarked: “It is shocking that someone who once worked with children would make such decisions.”

Picton received a three-year prison sentence.

Crime

Fishguard assault leads to potentially life-changing head injuries

Published

1 day ago

October 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious assault reported in Market Square, Fishguard, around 2:50am today (Sunday, Oct 20).

A 20-year-old man remains in hospital with multiple head injuries, described as potentially life-changing.

As part of their enquiries, officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident. They are particularly interested in speaking to the individual shown in the released image, who may have crucial information.

A force spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for witnesses to a serious assault which is reported to have taken place in Market Square, Fishguard, at around 2.50am today (Sunday, October 20).

“A 20-year-old man remains in hospital having suffered multiple head injuries which are potentially life changing.

“As part of their enquiries, officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident.

“They would specifically like to speak to the person pictured, who might have information that could help the investigation.

“If you are the person in the picture, or know who they are, please get in touch.”

You can contact police online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline , by direct messaging Dyfed-Powys Police on social media, by emailing [email protected] or by calling the non-emergency 101 number.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference 42 of October 20, 2024