UNIFORMED and plain clothed police officers will act as disruption teams to prevent sexual offences and violence against women from taking place during nights out in the lead-up to Christmas.

A pilot project being carried out by Dyfed-Powys Police will see plain clothed officers with specialist training acting as spotters during busy evenings, identifying people who appear to present a risk to others by displaying sexually predatory behaviour. These concerns will be reported to police in uniform, who will step in to disrupt potentially criminal behaviour before it happens.

The scheme is called Project Vigilant and is being trialled over three weekends in December with the aim of rolling it out across the force area in the new year. Ahead of the launch, 12 proactive policing team officers will receive specialist behavioural observation training from colleagues at Thames Valley Police to upskill them in risk management and to encourage proactivity in spotting predatory behaviour.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “This is an exciting new project for Dyfed-Powys Police, and one we’re looking forward to getting off the ground. We’re confident Project Vigilant will have a great impact in helping to reassure and protect women during the nighttime economy.

“Women should feel safe on a night out and should not feel the need to change their behaviour to stay so. By looking out for potential predators, we will ultimately be changing the behaviours of those who could cause harm, and making our communities safer for all.

“While Project Vigilant has the specific aim of helping to reassure and protect women during the nighttime economy, we anticipate it will have an overall result of deterring all types of criminality.

“There’s evidence to show that in cases where forces have deployed a greater number of uniformed officers to hotspot areas, perpetrators dispersed to other locations. The key here is in using plain clothed officers to spot the concerning behaviour and identify individuals to their colleagues who can step in.

“This is one of many examples of preventative policing being used by Dyfed-Powys Police to help identify potential criminal activity and intervene before offending occurs.”

Under Project Vigilant, officers will be deployed to patrol areas that are particularly busy during the evening and nighttime to be on the lookout for potential predatory behaviour towards women. Anyone who is flagged as a potential risk will be approached by uniformed police who will assess the situation and take appropriate action if needed.

Their deployment will be based on intelligence to make sure officers are in the right place at the right time.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has funded the pilot under the Serious Violence Duty. PCC Dafydd Llywelyn said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, I’m committed to ensuring the safety of women in our communities, particularly during busy night-time periods.

“Project Vigilant is an important step toward proactive and preventative policing, aiming to identify and disrupt predatory behaviour before any harm can occur.

“This initiative not only helps protect individuals but also reinforces our commitment to creating safer public spaces across Dyfed-Powys.

“I’m proud to support this pilot and look forward to its impact on our communities.”

JAMES O’NEILL, 53, from Merthyr Tydfil, was found guilty of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Dec 13). His co-defendants, Aron O’Neill, 25, and Shaun Nicholas, 24, were acquitted after the jury ruled that their actions were in self-defence.

The charges arose from a violent altercation at The Boat House pub in Saundersfoot on October 28, 2022. The complainant, Stephen Kanauros, had been celebrating his daughter’s birthday with his family when tensions escalated, leading to a brutal attack that left Mr. Kanauros with serious injuries.

During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage and graphic images of Mr. Kanauros’ injuries. Prosecutors revealed that James O’Neill bit off part of Mr. Kanauros’ lip during the altercation, with the severed section later found on the pub floor. O’Neill also bit the complainant’s finger, causing further significant injuries.

Prosecutor Dyfed Thomas KC argued that James O’Neill’s actions were deliberate and intended to cause serious harm. “He intended to cause harm—really serious harm—and he certainly achieved it,” Mr. Thomas said.

The violence reportedly stemmed from James O’Neill’s anger after bar staff questioned his daughter, Lowri O’Neill, about her ID. When staff asked the group to leave, James O’Neill responded aggressively, directing offensive language at the staff and blowing vape smoke at them.

Co-defendants cleared

While James O’Neill was found guilty, his co-defendants, Aron O’Neill and Shaun Nicholas, successfully argued they acted in self-defence during the altercation. Both men testified that their actions were defensive and aimed at protecting James O’Neill.

Aron admitted throwing punches but maintained they did not connect as alleged. Shaun acknowledged striking Mr. Kanauros once but described his action as a panicked response to protect his uncle.

Their legal teams emphasized that the men’s actions were reasonable given the perceived threat to James O’Neill.

Courtroom testimony

During closing arguments, Mr. Singh, representing Shaun Nicholas, drew comparisons to Mr. Kanauros’ defence of his wife earlier in the altercation. “Shaun Nicholas acted out of a desire to protect his uncle. How is this any different from when Mr. Kanauros defended his wife?”

The jury ultimately found the two men not guilty, while James O’Neill was held solely responsible for the grievous injuries inflicted on Mr. Kanauros.

James O’Neill is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday (Jan 17) 2025.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the injuries and the dramatic CCTV evidence presented in court.

A HARROWING 999 call was played at Swansea Crown Court today (Dec 13) as the trial of a Thai mother, who admitted to killing her seven-year-old son earlier this year, concluded with her sentencing.

Papaipit Linse, 43, of 14 Upper Market Street, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on November 22 after psychiatric reports confirmed she was suffering from severe mental illness at the time of the incident.

During the trial, the court heard the disturbing emergency call Linse made at 10:44am on January 10, 2024. In the recording, Linse repeatedly told the operator: “I have killed my son. I felt totally mental, I felt like a robot, I felt totally twisted.”

CHILLING DETAILS REVEALED

The prosecution revealed that Linse had strangled her son with a leather handbag strap. She later told police she “couldn’t check for a heartbeat” after what she had done.

When officers arrived at the three-story home, they found the boy’s body on the third floor, covered with a pillow and duvet. Despite attempts to perform CPR, it was evident he had succumbed to strangulation, with the strap leaving clear marks on his neck.

At the time of the tragedy, Linse’s husband, the child’s father, was receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital.

MENTAL ILLNESS THE EXCLUSIVE CAUSE

Psychiatric reports presented by Dr Davis, Dr Wing, and Dr Cumming concluded that Linse was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia during the incident. All three experts agreed her mental illness was the sole reason for the killing and recommended ongoing treatment.

Dr Davis, speaking for the defence, told the court: “If it wasn’t for that severe psychotic episode, the incident would not have occurred. In my opinion, she was unable to recognise the nature of what she was doing or the legality of her actions.”

The court accepted her plea of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

“NOT A WICKED PERSON”

In sentencing Linse to a hospital order, His Honour Judge P H Thomas addressed her mental state at the time of the tragedy, saying: “Your son was not killed by you because you are a wicked person—you are not. He died because at the time you were suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.”

He continued: “I am acutely conscious that your son has barely been mentioned by me. What happened to him was tragic.”

Judge Thomas emphasized that Linse’s responsibility was grossly affected by her illness, which rendered her incapable of comprehending her actions.

Linse, who moved to the UK from Thailand in 2017, will now receive treatment under the hospital order as recommended by psychiatric experts. Judge Thomas reserved further comment, stating that he had considered the severity of the case and the unanimous psychiatric evidence in his ruling.

POLICE COMMENT AFTER THE HEARING

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Gary Williams said: “This is a terribly sad and tragic case, and our thoughts remain very much with all those who knew and loved Louis.

““We have worked closely with the CPS and independent mental health experts who concluded that Linse was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia when she killed her son.

“I would like to thank the team of police officers and staff involved throughout the past 11 months for their diligence, professionalism and care during this emotive case, and for their efforts in ensuring a full and thorough investigation was carried out.”

The judge described Louis’ death as “unspeakably tragic” and “unbearable for many people”, adding that he hoped the sentence imposed would be understood by those who knew him.