Crime
Woman tailed man from Tesco before punching him in face
Judge warns Hakin woman that violence could lead to jail
A PEMBROKESHIRE woman who tailed a man’s car before blocking his exit and punching him in the face has been sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
Veronica Jones, 37, followed the male victim as he drove from Tesco to a property in Milford Haven on February 1.
“She was following him so closely that he was unable to see her headlights,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. “She then pulled in front of his car, blocking the road and preventing him from getting out.”
Jones, of Haven Drive, Hakin, then opened the driver’s door of the male’s vehicle and struck him.
“She ripped open the door and punched him to the right side of his face, causing an injury,” Ms Vaughan told the court. “Her actions were aggravated by the fact that they took place in front of children.”
Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher said Jones’ behaviour had been triggered by false accusations allegedly made by the victim about her drug use.
“The victim made comments to her ex-partner suggesting that she was taking drugs,” he said. “But she has very strong views about drug taking, and that was why she reacted as she did.”
District Judge Mark Layton issued a stark warning when passing sentence.
“It appears that you’re a person who resorts to violence as a way of coping with your issues,” he told her. “If this continues, it will cross the custody threshold. This is your final opportunity to address your behaviour.”
Jones pleaded guilty to assault by beating. She was handed an 18-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
She was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, £200 costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.
A two-year restraining order was imposed, prohibiting Jones from contacting the man directly or indirectly, attending his home or workplace, or posting anything about him online.
Crime
Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000
A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.
Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.
The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.
Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.
Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.
He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.
Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.
They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.
Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.
A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.
At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.
Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.
Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.
“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”
After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.
He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”
Photo caption: Drugs seized:
Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).
Crime
Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts
A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.
Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.
The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.
The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.
After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.
He will now be brought before the court once located by police.
Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.
Crime
Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store
A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.
Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.
The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.
Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.
Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.
The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.
Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.
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