Crime
Suspended sentence following serious threats to a 14-year-old child
A 58-YEAR-OLD man has been spared a jail sentence despite terrifying a 14-year-old child by threatening to ‘put him into the ground’.
John Jenkins was brought before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence after admitting assaulting and ill treating the child at a previous hearing, causing him unnecessary suffering.
“You shouted aggressively in the child’s face and you terrified him,” said District Judge Mark Layton when imposing sentence.
“You called him a bully which was ironic, because this is what you were at the time.”
The assault took place in the early hours of November 26, 2022 at a property in Jameston where the child lives with his mother.
Jenkins, of Quoits Mill Ponds, Hundleton and the child’s mother had spent the evening drinking at a local pub, and at approximately 10pm, the child went to the pub alone, looking for his mother, as he wanted her to return home. The couple declined.
They eventually returned the property at 2am, however the defendant became angry when he discovered the child wasn’t in bed.
Jenkins chased him upstairs and when the boy fell over, the defendant pinned him down by putting his arms on either side of him, preventing him from moving away.
“At the same time, the defendant made some very damaging comments towards the child in the nature of threats,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James. “These were captured on the child’s mobile phone.”
Jenkins could be heard shouting at the child, “If you don’t change, I’ll put you in the ground.
“I’m not putting up with your s***, do you understand?
“Who’s the boss? Your mother is. So f*** off.”
Throughout the harrowing incident, the child could be heard crying and repeatedly saying, ‘Yes John.’
At one point he could be heard saying, ‘Mum, help me!’ while a woman’s voice could be heard saying ‘No’.
Jenkins was represented in court by solicitor Mr Tom Lloyd who said the defendant was deeply remorseful for the offence.
“The loss of control at the time was something that he deeply regrets,” he said.
Jenkins was sentenced to 24 weeks in custody suspended for two years. He must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to pay £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.
“If you commit any further offences, particularly towards this child, then you will be sent to prison. I want to be absolutely clear about that,” said Judge Layton.
He awarded no compensation to the 14-year-old victim.
“Given the age of the victim, the compensation will doubtlessly go to the mother,” he said. “I can’t see it going to the child, so there will be no compensation.”
Crime
Albanian man jailed after cannabis farm found in Pembroke
AN ALBANIAN man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after police discovered a sophisticated cannabis farm in the former Lloyds Pharmacy on Main Street, Pembroke.
Dyfed-Powys Police officers raided the vacant property at 10:00am on Friday (Oct 18) and found 575 cannabis plants in advanced stages of growth across three rooms. The estimated yield of the plants could have produced between 15 and 45 kilograms of cannabis, valued at £170,000 to £500,000 on the street.
Inside the building, officers also discovered a makeshift living area with a bed and shower, indicating that the suspect, Amarildo Daja, had been residing there. Daja attempted to flee but retreated into the building, hiding in the ceiling when confronted by police. Officers assisted him down with a ladder before placing him under arrest.
The property’s electricity supply had been tampered with to avoid detection, and two mobile phones were found on-site—one damaged and the other wiped clean.
Daja, 27, admitted to police that he had been smuggled into the UK by a criminal gang to pay off a debt. He initially worked in London but agreed to tend the cannabis farm in Pembrokeshire three months prior to his arrest after struggling to make payments.
In court, his defense barrister, Caitlin Brazel, explained that Daja deeply regretted his actions, describing them as “out of character.” Daja, who has no fixed address, expressed a desire to serve his sentence and seek legal employment afterward.
Judge Geraint Walters noted that the case highlighted the need to target criminal organizations behind such operations. “If we want to tackle the issue of Albanian criminal gangs establishing cannabis factories, we must find the ringleaders,” he stated.
Daja will serve his sentence with the possibility of deportation upon release, subject to a Home Office decision.
(Main image: Martin Cavaney)
Crime
Officers investigate Carmarthenshire post office burglary – Cash stolen
DYFED-POWYS POLICe is investigating a burglary at a Carmarthenshire post office which took place on Tuesday (Nov 5) at around 6:30pm.
Detectives said that two suspects reportedly entered the Furnace Post Office, stealing the till drawer containing a quantity of cash.
After fleeing the scene, the pair were seen heading towards the Rugby Club and Ynys Y Cwm Road.
Police are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the suspects.
They are particularly keen to hear from residents near these areas who may have CCTV or doorbell camera footage.
Investigators are also seeking to identify the individual in CCTV images who could possess information vital to the investigation.
Anyone who recognises the person in the footage, or believes they might be pictured, is urged to get in touch via the following channels:
- Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: Call 101
Crime
Motorist jailed over death of popular Tenby taxi driver ‘Mukka’
MOTORIST Mateusz Sikorski, 30, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 8) for causing death by dangerous driving.
Addressing the court, the judge HH Geraint Walters KC, said: “These cases are amongst the most difficult that courts have to deal with. This wasn’t a momentary crossing onto the other carriageway; you were travelling along there for at least half a mile.”
Sikorski had been staying with friends in Manorbier, Tenby, since June 2024, when the fatal incident occurred.
On September 2, CCTV captured Sikorski driving on the wrong side of the A4139 between Tenby and Penally. Christopher Boyle, 57, was travelling northbound on the same road in his taxi when the two collided head-on.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling recounted Sikorski’s comments at the scene: “I think it may have been my fault, I think I was on the wrong side of the road.” Boyle was pronounced dead at 11:32 pm on September 2, having sustained multiple traumatic injuries.
A heartfelt family statement from Boyle’s sister was read in court, describing the devastating impact of his death: “The loss of Chris has been absolutely devastating. His death has left a profound void that can never be filled.
“He was a son, brother, father, and beloved member of our community. My father has had to endure the unimaginable by burying his own son. For Christopher’s children, they have lost a dad.
“Chris was a much-loved character within the community. His loss has left a hole in the hearts of so many. All of this was caused by a moment of selfish and careless actions, and caused a lifetime of grief.”
In mitigation, James Hartson argued that Sikorski had accepted full responsibility for Boyle’s death and expressed genuine remorse.
Christopher Boyle, affectionately known as “Mukka” was a devoted father, son, brother, partner, and community figure, whose absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.
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