Officer struck after public raised concerns

A COURT has heard how police were called to a Pembrokeshire railway station after members of the public witnessed a couple assaulting each other in full view of passengers.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court was told that the incident took place at Tenby Railway Station on Tuesday (July 16), where a man and woman were seen physically assaulting one another.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said: “Complaints were made by members of the public and, when officers arrived, they attempted to speak with the couple.”

During the encounter, Jane Roberts, aged 47, apologised to officers for what she was about to do before striking out with her right hand, which connected with an officer’s right shoulder.

Magistrates heard that Roberts then had to be physically restrained and placed into a police vehicle by two officers.

Roberts, of Marshall Road, Monkton, pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable in the execution of her duty. She was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries.

Ms Harries told the court: “This was a highly charged incident. Her partner had been arrested, and she acted impulsively.

“This has been a wake-up call for her. She has significantly reduced her alcohol intake and now has a much more positive attitude. She is determined not to appear before the courts again.”

Roberts was given a 12-month conditional discharge. She was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £26 surcharge.

Hundreds heard racist obscenities in town centre

A COURT has heard how members of the public were subjected to verbal obscenities and racial harassment directed at a police officer in the centre of one of Pembrokeshire’s busiest tourist towns.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court was told that on Thursday (Aug 8), hundreds of people visiting Tenby witnessed Jay Thomas shouting abuse at PC Stuart Gray.

The officer was subjected to a torrent of obscenities, including being called “a Scottish c***”, while Thomas also threatened that he would “stab the s*** out of him”.

Magistrates heard that Thomas’ behaviour continued after his arrest. While being conveyed to custody, he spat inside the rear of the police vehicle and, once placed in a cell, pushed a blanket down the toilet, causing damage.

A subsequent search of the defendant revealed that he was in possession of 0.7 grams of cocaine.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, PC Gray said: “I don’t expect to be threatened or called a Scottish c*** when I’m doing my job.

“I was also embarrassed for all the holidaymakers who had to listen to his language and witness his behaviour.”

Thomas, aged 21, of Newell Hill, Tenby, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment of PC Gray, causing criminal damage to a police vehicle and a police blanket, possession of cocaine, and using threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was represented by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told the court that the defendant was “deeply ashamed” of his conduct.

She said: “The offences were fuelled by alcohol and he has little memory of what happened. He is deeply ashamed and now wants to work with probation to address the issues behind his behaviour.”

Thomas was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and comply with a 90-day alcohol monitoring requirement.

He was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was made in respect of the cocaine.

Man drove off after drinking following argument at Tenby Golf Club

A DECISION to drive a short distance following a marital argument at Tenby Golf Club proved a costly mistake after a driving ban was imposed by magistrates this week.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Nigel Wood, aged 57, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday (Dec 7) after police received a tip-off from concerned staff at the golf club, who reported that he had driven off after consuming alcohol.

The court was told that Wood and his wife had earlier attended a rugby match in Tenby before travelling to Tenby Golf Club, where they had booked to stay the night.

Wood’s solicitor, Josie Flicker said: “They walked back into town to the rugby club where alcohol was consumed, before returning on foot to the hotel.

“Unfortunately, an argument then broke out between the defendant and his wife.”

Following the disagreement, Wood made the decision to drive away from the golf club.

Ms Flicker added: “It was a very short-lived decision. When he reached the junction by the hotel, he thought better of it, parked the vehicle and went for a walk instead.”

However, during that brief journey, staff at the golf club had already contacted the police.

Wood, of Hylton Terrace, Bedlinog, Treharris, pleaded guilty to driving after consuming excess alcohol.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £760. He was also ordered to pay a £304 surcharge and £85 in court costs.