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Crime

Man given two-year Criminal Behaviour Order after noise complaints case

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A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order after a series of allegations that he breached a community protection notice by creating unreasonable noise at his home.

Paul Richard McNally, aged sixty-two, of Laws Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Nov 19) for seven linked charges of failing to comply with a community protection notice. The notice required him to prevent loud or offensive noise, including shouting and aggressive language, from causing a nuisance to neighbours.

Multiple charges dismissed

McNally had previously pleaded not guilty to six of the alleged breaches, said to have taken place between February and June this year in Pembroke Dock.

At Wednesday’s hearing, magistrates dismissed all six charges after no evidence was offered by Pembrokeshire County Council, which had brought the prosecution.

An application by the council to introduce bad-character evidence was also withdrawn.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Following multiple complaints to the council, officers used The NoiseApp and professional sound-monitoring equipment to gather evidence of McNally repeatedly banging and shouting expletives whenever his neighbour carried out normal daily tasks, such as running taps or flushing the toilet.

The persistent shouting and thumping on the ceiling caused the tenant significant alarm and distress.

A Community Protection Warning (CPW) was issued, directing McNally not to create excessive noise or verbally abuse other tenants. Despite this, the behaviour continued and further evidence was obtained.

The council then served a Community Protection Notice (CPN) under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, again requiring him to stop. However, the nuisance persisted, and the authority brought a prosecution for breaching the CPN.

Magistrates fined McNally £162 and ordered him to pay a £65 victim surcharge and £1,000 in costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was also imposed to prevent any further noise or abusive conduct. Any breach of the CBO will be referred back to the court and could result in a custodial sentence.

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “A Community Protection Notice is a formal legal measure councils can use to deal with nuisance behaviour that has a serious impact on people’s quality of life.

“Unfortunately, the CPN in this case was ignored, leaving the authority with no option but to pursue the matter through the courts. The conviction – and the significant costs imposed – could have been avoided had the notice been complied with.”

Guilty plea to April incident

However, McNally changed his plea to guilty on a separate charge relating to an incident on April 5.

Magistrates imposed a Criminal Behaviour Order lasting until November 2027. The order prohibits McNally from shouting aggressively at neighbours, using foul or offensive language towards them, or creating unreasonable noise from his property, including banging or slamming doors in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He must also stay in regular contact with supervising officers Rachel Stevenson-Thomas and Steve Morbey, and notify them of any change of address.

Fines and costs

McNally was fined £162. He must also pay a £65 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with the court indicating that deductions from benefits may be applied. The total of £1,227 must be paid by December 19.

The court noted that his guilty plea was taken into account when sentencing.

 

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

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MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).

 

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Crime

Llangadog man fined after breaching restraining order twice

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Court hears defendant contacted protected person despite ban

A LLANGADOG man has been fined £1,375 after twice breaching a restraining order by contacting a protected person he had been banned from approaching.

Adam Thomas Davies, 34, of Llangadog, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jun 15) for proceedings linked to an existing community order.

The court heard Davies had breached a restraining order on two separate occasions in June last year by contacting a person he had been prohibited from approaching under an order imposed by Llanelli Magistrates’ Court in November 2019.

Magistrates were told the original community order, imposed in August 2025, had become unworkable due to long-term physical health issues alongside Davies’ employment.

The court revoked the existing order and resentenced him for the original offences.

Davies was made subject to a new community order running until June 14, 2027. He must comply with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and attend appointments or activities as directed by probation services, for up to 15 days.

As a punitive element of the order, magistrates imposed a fine of £1,375.

The court heard the breaches related to unlawful contact made in Carmarthenshire despite the restrictions remaining in force.

Davies was ordered to pay the fine at a rate of £120 per month, starting from July 13.

 

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Crime

Road safety grant fund launched for community projects

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COMMUNITY groups, charities and local organisations across the Dyfed-Powys area are being invited to apply for funding for projects aimed at improving road safety.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has launched a new Road Safety Community Grant Fund to support local initiatives designed to reduce risks on the roads, raise awareness and encourage safer behaviour among drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The fund will support preventative projects led by communities, including education and awareness programmes, behaviour-change campaigns, road safety events, training and skills development, and evidence-led pilot schemes.

Applications will be assessed on their potential to improve road safety, provide value for money and deliver clear community benefits.

Mr Llywelyn said: “Keeping our communities safe on our roads is a fundamental part of our wider mission to protect the public and reduce harm.

“By investing in community-led initiatives, we are empowering local organisations to deliver practical, innovative solutions that improve road safety, change behaviours, and ultimately save lives.”

The fund forms part of the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029, which includes commitments to preventing harm, supporting safer communities and working in partnership on issues affecting local people.

Further details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, are available on the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.

The fund closes at 10:00pm on Sunday, July 19.

 

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