News

Cardigan: Jail for commiting ‘nightmarish’ attack

Published

11 years ago

January 2, 2015

A CARDIGAN man who carried out an attack that was so vicious that it gave him nightmares has been jailed today for three years and four months.

John James Bell, aged 30, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to Richard Owen, a 33 year old carpenter, on August 1 last year.

Swansea crown court heard that Mr Owen suffered a broken wrist and had been unable to work since the attack.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Mr Owen had been drinking in the Lamb public house in Cardigan. Bell walked in five minutes before he left and said he was trying to find a man called Johnson.

Mr Owen bought a takeaway meal and saw Bell sitting on a bench in Finch Square. He spoke aggressively to Mr Owen and then reached into a van and took hold of a three foot long metal pole.

CCTV footage showed Bell hitting Mr Owen with the pole, and continuing the attack while he lay on the ground.

Mr Owen needed an operation on his arm and doctors inserted a metal plate into his wrist.

Bell, of Brynteg, Ferwig, Cardigan, was arrested a short while after the attack.

His barrister, Janet Gedrych, said Bell had been attacked by a group of men in Cardigan several months earlier. He felt so threatened he had left the town but had returned to the area shortly before August 1.

However, he remained so frightened that a doctor had prescribed sedatives.

Miss Gedrych said that did not explain the attack on Mr Owen, who had not threatened Bell, except that Bell was in such a state that he could feel threatened even when he was not.

He bitterly regretted the assault and had suffered nightmares because of his own behaviour.

Miss Gedrych added that although Bell had previous convictions for 55 offences none of them had been for violence.

Judge Paul Thomas said the attack had been vicious, prolonged and in a public street.

Judge Thomas said he accepted that Bell suffered from an irrational belief that people were out to get him but the attack on Mr Owen had been completely unprovoked.

The attack, he added, had changed Mr Owen’s life and it was still not clear when he would be able to return to work.

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

38 minutes ago

February 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY donation will help spruce up a popular summer book trailer at Stackpole Quay after members of the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association handed over more than one thousand pounds to support the project.

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association presented a cheque for £1,095 to the National Trust at Stackpole Quay this weekend.

The cheque was formally given to Rhian Sula, General Manager for the charity’s Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay portfolio, by association chairman Jane Mason during a National Trust information coffee morning at the Stackpole Centre.

The money will be used to refurbish the well-known second-hand book trailer which operates at the quay during the summer months. The trailer allows visitors to pick up a holiday read while making a donation, with proceeds supporting local conservation and access projects.

Last year alone, the trailer raised more than £1,500.

Jane Mason said the association had originally funded the purchase of the trailer several years ago and wanted to build on its success.

“Our new donation from members’ support will improve the trailer with updated imagery and design,” she said. “This will help the National Trust present a more professional, welcoming and brand-aligned offer, and potentially grow donation income.”

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association runs a programme of talks, visits and guided walks in support of local Trust properties. Membership of the National Trust is not required to join the association. Annual membership costs £5 for individuals and £8 for couples.

At its AGM in November, the group announced £3,000 in additional donations for local projects, including replacement willow hurdles at Tudor Merchants House, footpath improvements at Little Milford, and a new bench, tree planting and path works at Southwood.

With the latest contribution towards the book trailer, the association’s donations for the current financial year now exceed £4,000.

Photo caption:

Jane Mason presents a cheque for £1,095 to Rhian Sula at Stackpole Centre (Pic: supplied).

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

1 hour ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

1 hour ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.