CPS have a week do decide if they wish to pursue a re-trial, judge confirms

THE JURY has been discharged in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after telling the court it was unable to reach a verdict, even by majority.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is charged with the oral rape and sexual assault of a child, with the offences alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen. He denies the charges.

On Thursday (Dec 18), the jury returned to Swansea Crown Court and was asked whether it had reached a verdict on either count upon which at least ten jurors were agreed.

The foreman replied: “No.”

Judge Paul Thomas KC then asked whether there was any realistic likelihood that further deliberations would lead to a verdict being reached.

The foreman replied: “No, your honour.”

Judge Thomas KC said that in those circumstances he would discharge the jury and give the prosecution seven days to decide whether it would seek a retrial.

Addressing the jurors, the judge said they should not think they had failed or let anyone down.

“These things happen,” he said. “It’s one of the strengths of the jury system that people hold different views.”

He thanked the jury for their service and wished them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The court heard that the prosecution will now consider its position, with a further hearing expected next week to determine whether a retrial will take place.

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

A MILFORD HAVEN man who strangled his partner during a violent domestic assault before attacking a police officer has been jailed for two years.

Timothy John, aged 38, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting a series of offences arising from an incident in October.

The court heard that John had been arguing with his partner about his drug use when the situation escalated into violence. Prosecutor Craig Jones said the defendant grabbed the woman by the throat and held her in a chokehold for around ten seconds, leaving her struggling to breathe and fearing she would lose consciousness.

During the attack, John also punched and kicked the victim before smashing a glass bong over her head. At the time, the woman was still in her underwear and managed to flee the property and run into the street to seek help.

John also damaged the victim’s mobile phone by biting the screen, rendering it unusable.

Police attended the address the following day to take a statement from the victim and discovered John hiding in a bedroom. When officers attempted to detain him, he assaulted a female police officer, knocking her glasses to the floor, before escaping from the property.

The defendant handed himself in around 24 hours later.

John pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, and escaping from lawful custody. The court was told he has five previous convictions for six offences, although none for violence.

Defending, Dan Griffiths said John accepted the relationship was over and had been using cocaine at the time of the incident, which had made him paranoid, volatile and unpredictable.

He told the court that John had previously worked as a fisherman, roofer and welder, but had struggled with alcohol and substance misuse. Mr Griffiths added that a pre-sentence report highlighted a difficult upbringing and noted a lack of insight into his offending, with concerns that he attempted to minimise his behaviour.

The defence urged the court to consider a suspended sentence to allow John to work with probation services.

Sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards said the offence involved serious strangulation and a sustained assault on an intimate partner, leaving the victim frightened in her own home.

John was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and made subject to a ten-year restraining order preventing any contact with his former partner.

Dyfed-Powys Police have been asked to provide a custody image of the defendant.