Crime

Drink-driving Neyland rugby player drove Discovery into two cars

Published

2 months ago

October 29, 2024

A NEYLAND Firsts rugby player has been ordered off the roads after driving into two parked vehicles when he was three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Owain Evans, 24, spent the evening of September 28 drinking at the Neyland Community Hub following a game against the Harlequins earlier that afternoon.

“He can’t tell me how much he consumed, but it was probably a considerable amount as he can’t remember getting in his car and driving to his grandmother’s house in Llanstadwell,” probation officer Julie Norman told Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.

But as Evans drove through John Street in Neyland, he lost control of his Land Rover Discovery and collided with two parked vehicles, both of which were subsequently written off by their insurers.

Police officers traced the Discovery to an address in Llanstadwell.

“The door was opened by a woman and Owain Evans was woken up,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James. “When he came to the door, it was obvious that he was very drunk and there was damage to the front of his vehicle.”

A subsequent breath test carried out at a police custody suite showed Evans had 105 mcg of alcohol in his breath. The legal limit is 35.

Evans, of Mastlebridge, Neyland pleaded guilty to driving above the legal alcohol level and failing to stop after the road accident.

“He normally walks that distance from the rugby club to his home as it’s just over a mile,” added Julie Norman. “He simply can’t explain why he decided to get in his vehicle that day.”

Evans, who works as a self-employed carpenter, was disqualified from driving for 26 months. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

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

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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: