News

Top cop warns court of growing number of physical and verbal assaults on police

Published

2 years ago

November 19, 2024

DYFED-POWYS POLICE’S Chief Constable, Dr Richard Lewis, has issued a strongly-worded statement to Haverfordwest Magistrates in relation to the growing number of physical and verbal assaults carried out on police officers.

“Police officers and police staff are people,” he said. “They are fathers,mothers, sons and daughters and when they are attacked, they become victims, just like everyone else. But they are victims who are trying to help and protect society.”

Dr Lewis said that in 2024, no fewer than 175 assaults have already been committed against on-duty officers in the Dyfed-Powys Police force division, resulting in the loss of 363 sickness days.

Chief Constable Lewis’ statement was presented to Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday after 22-year-old Hope Phillips of Coach House, Cartlett, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker by beating in the early hours of November 1.

Police officers had been called to the County Hall car park in Freemans Way, Haverfordwest, where other officers were attempting to restrain a male.

“The defendant was trying to get in the officer’s way and when she was asked to stand back she grabbed [the officer] by the arms and slapped her to the face,” said Crown Prosecutor, Nia James.

In a statement read out to the court, the officer said her left cheek had been slapped by Phillips, resulting in an ‘immediate sting’.

“It shocked me,” she said. “I didn’t expect to be assaulted and it took me by surprise how quickly the situation escalated. It left me feeling disappointed.”

Meanwhile Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis said that an increasing number of officers are putting themselves ‘in harm’s way’ as they attempt to safeguard the public.

“All too often police are subjected to assaults, and the impact on society never changes,” he said. “But it’s never acceptable to assume that assaults on police officers should be accepted.”
Chief Constable Lewis said the assaults are impacting on the officers’ physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as their professional and personal morale.

Meanwhile a probation report read out to the court said that Phillips was heavily intoxicated at the time of the offence and has no idea how she ended up in the County Hall car park.

“When she discovered what had happened, she was horrified and now wants to express her remorse for what happened,” said the probation officer.

This was endorsed by Phllips’ solicitor, Jess Hill.

“The defendant had spent the evening celebrating Halloween at a friend’s house, but unfortunately this was how it all ended,” she said. “This has been a wake up call for her and has scared her.”

Philips, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to a 12 month community order, during which she must carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work. This was uplifted from 80 hours because her victim was an emergency worker. She was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer, £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge.

Health

Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession

Published

11 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.

Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).

The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.

Harassment campaign

Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.

Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.

She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.

Police assaults

The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.

Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.

Shop theft and XL Bully

Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.

In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.

Restraining orders imposed

District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.

The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.

Jailed for 26 weeks

Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.

The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

17 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.

Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.

The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.

The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.

District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain

Published

21 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.