Crime
Drink-driver caught after sparks fly from Volvo tyre
WHEN an off-duty police officer saw sparks coming from the rear tyre of a red Volvo on the A48 near Carmarthen, he immediately called 999.
The driver, Gavin Wilkes, 41, was later found to be over the legal drink-drive limit.
At Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Wilkes, of Upright Villas, Arlington Terrace, Braunton, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Breath tests revealed 66 mcg of alcohol in his system; the legal limit is 35.
Represented by solicitor Liam Francis, Wilkes was described as being ‘embarrassed’ and aware that his actions could cost him his employment.
Wilkes was disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined £400, and ordered to pay a £160 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Warrant issued after man breaches suspended sentence
A WARRANT without bail has been issued for a Haverfordwest man who failed to comply with his suspended prison sentence.
In June last year, Jamie Norman, 39, was sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for 18 months, after admitting stalking a woman during a four-week-long campaign.
This week, probation officer Julie Norman told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that Norman, of Elm Lane, Milford Haven, had failed to attend planned probation appointments, resulting in a breach of his suspended sentence.
As a result, Judge Layton issued a warrant without bail for his arrest.
Crime
Garage owner faces rape charge, case sent to Crown Court
A HAVERFORDWEST garage proprietor has been dealt what has been described as ‘very stringent bail conditions’ after appearing before a district judge charged with rape.
Ceri Morgan, 61, of Haverfordwest Auto Centre, Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest, is accused of raping a woman, aged 16 or over, between November 30 and December 31, 2009.
This week, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in the case due to the seriousness of the allegation, and the matter was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings will commence on February 10.
Morgan was released on conditional bail with requirements to remain at his home address, observe a 7:00pm–7:00am electronic curfew, avoid contact with the complainant, and surrender his passport at Haverfordwest police station.
Crime
Gardener cleared of exposure after court hears incident was accidental
A PEMBROKESHIRE gardener has been found not guilty of exposing his ‘flaccid penis’ to a female property owner after agreeing to cut trees in her garden.
The complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed Thomas Jones, 21, exposed himself to her after agreeing on a £300 fee for cutting down trees in her back garden.
As he began unloading tools from his van on the morning of November 9, 2022, he allegedly turned towards the woman, exposing himself.
“The first I knew of it was when she pointed at me,” Thomas Jones told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where he was on trial for exposure.
“I was in shock. I felt embarrassed and awful. I felt bad.”
During cross-examination, Mr Jones, of Long Meadow, Adams Road, Monkton, admitted he did not wear underwear but insisted the exposure was accidental.
“I accept that it was outside my trousers, but I didn’t find her attractive, so why would I do all that?” he said. “It just doesn’t make sense.
“I’ve known my girlfriend for the past seven years, so why would I risk all that, plus risk losing the £300 from the job?”
GIVING EVIDENCE FROM BEHIND A SCREEN
The complainant said Mr Jones had knocked on her door and handed her a leaflet advertising his gardening services.
“I had some trees that needed cutting down, so I took him around, we chatted about it, and we agreed on a price,” she said.
After moving her car to allow Mr Jones to park his van, she claimed she saw what she described as ‘his flaccid penis’ hanging outside his trousers as she walked back into her house.
“I went inside, thinking, ‘That’s very weird’, and I knew it wasn’t right,” she said.
“I went back outside and told him that I’d changed my mind and didn’t want him to do the work anymore. I pointed at it, and I was really angry. I swore at him and asked him to leave.”
Despite apologising repeatedly, Thomas Jones, who has no previous convictions or police cautions, was reported and later charged with intentional exposure. He persistently denied the charge.
DEFENCE ARGUMENT
“The Crown has to prove that the defendant intentionally exposed his penis,” said his solicitor, Gareth Walters.
“But he wasn’t wearing underwear, and it came out of his trousers through his undone zip, which led to him being exposed. It wasn’t an erect penis, and it wasn’t intentional. It was a complete accident.”
After a short adjournment, Thomas Jones was found not guilty. An application for a restraining order against the complainant was refused by the magistrates.
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