News
Jail for assaulting mother
A SON who assaulted his mother was given an 18- week custodial sentence at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jan 14). Alex Brown, aged 21, of Sycamore Close in Milford Haven, also had his outstanding fines totalling £249 cleared and an extra 14-day jail term was imposed instead. Brown had previously pleaded not guilty in December and he was remanded in custody. A trial was set for February 4 but on Wednesday he changed his plea to guilty.
His solicitor, Gareth Lewis, told the court that his time in custody had “had a very sobering effect on him”. He also told the Magistrates: “He was given an immediate term of custody on the last occasion and he has been there since December 14. “This is his first time in custody and he has recognised the grief he has caused to his mother and he shows remorse for the whole incident.
“It has dawned on him, the dangers of legal highs, and he has recognised the effect it has had on his relationship with his mother and siblings. He has also written a letter to his brother to explain the danger of legal highs warning him of the dangers. “He has also recognised the support his mum has been giving him and he is looking to re-build bridges.
“He wants to serve a sentence and put the whole thing behind him a rebuild those bridges.” Prosecuting the case, Nick Newton said: “Alex had been smoking legal highs throughout the day and he had asked his mother for some money so he could buy more of these drugs. “She refused and Alex started shouting and he refused to let her get past him, she did try and he put his hand around her neck, she pushed him away. “She did not ring the police at this time because she thought that would be the end of the matter as Alex had stormed off into his bedroom.
“Later that night she heard Alex and his brother having an argument and she got out of bed to go and speak with Alex. “He was aggressive and threatening to smash up the house. He then kicked out at his mother connecting with her right thigh. He also hit her on the side of the face. “He then picked up a picture frame and threw it in her direction but this did not make contact with her.
“Alex then pulled a kitchen knife out of the draw and threw that towards her but that also missed. “She then called the police and officers attended at their address at around 12.30am. They formed the opinion that he was under the influence of drugs and he confirmed that he had been smoking legal highs.
“His mother has also written a victim personal statement in which she says: ‘I have had enough of Alex, I can’t cope with him any more. I have to think about my other sons and I don’t want them getting into fights either. It is not acceptable that he is hitting me in what was an unprovoked attack. I love my son but I had no choice but to call the police’.
On sentencing Brown, the Magistrates acknowledged his guilty plea but felt that a custodial sentence was appropriate. The Chairman of the bench also told him that he will have a lot of work to do if he wants to rebuild those bridges with his family once he is out. Brown was also told to pay an £80 victim surcharge for the offence.
Community
Family pay tribute to ‘beloved’ Dewi Evans after Royal Welsh campsite death
The 25-year-old from Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr has been described as a dearly loved son, brother and grandson whose death will leave a huge void in his community
THE family of a 25-year-old man who died at a campsite near the Royal Welsh Showground have paid a moving tribute to their “beloved and dear” son, brother and grandson.
Dewi Aeron Evans, from Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Corwen, died following a medical emergency at Penmaenau Farm, Llanelwedd, on Saturday night (July 18).
Emergency services were called to the campsite at around 10.30pm. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Dewi was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “Dewi Aeron Evans, a beloved and dear son, brother and grandson, will be a huge loss to the family and community in Uwchaled.
“The family and community would appreciate privacy at this difficult time.”
Dewi came from the close-knit rural community of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, which forms part of the Uwchaled area of southern Conwy.
The community lies near Cerrigydrudion and Corwen, and news of his death has brought sadness to the area where he lived and was known.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the death was continuing to be treated as unexplained.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences following the incident. Police have not said that the arrests establish the cause of Dewi’s death, and enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies described the incident as tragic and said officers’ thoughts remained with Dewi’s family.
He also reassured visitors and residents that it was being treated as an isolated incident, with no evidence of an ongoing risk to the wider public.
The incident happened at Penmaenau Farm, a privately operated campsite immediately beside the Royal Welsh Showground, as thousands of visitors were arriving in the area ahead of the four-day Royal Welsh Show.
The show itself opened on Monday morning and is continuing as scheduled.
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said it was deeply saddened by the death and that its thoughts were with Dewi’s family, friends and everyone affected.
The society said it would continue supporting the police investigation and was working with members of the Builth Wells Event Safety Group to provide medical, welfare and safety support throughout the event.
Police have asked that Dewi’s family and the Uwchaled community be allowed privacy as they come to terms with their loss.
News
Burnham sweeps aside Starmer allies in major Cabinet reshuffle
Rayner, Healey and Miliband handed senior roles as Reeves, Lammy and Stevens leave government
PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham has announced a further wave of Cabinet appointments, bringing Angela Rayner back into government and handing senior roles to Lucy Powell, Jonathan Reynolds and close political ally Anneliese Midgley.
The latest announcements confirm that Burnham is carrying out a significant restructuring of Sir Keir Starmer’s former administration rather than simply moving a handful of ministers between departments.
Rayner has returned as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the position she left last year. The department will also oversee Burnham’s plans to transfer greater powers away from Westminster and into the nations, regions and local government.
Lucy Powell, Labour’s deputy leader, has been appointed Education Secretary, replacing Bridget Phillipson.
Phillipson will remain in government as Minister for Women and Equalities, although the move represents a substantial reduction in her responsibilities.
Jonathan Reynolds has returned to his former position as Business and Trade Secretary after serving as Chief Whip under Starmer.
His department is being expanded to take responsibility for science and innovation and will be renamed the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Anneliese Midgley, who played a central role in Burnham’s return to Parliament and leadership campaign, has been appointed Chief Whip.
The appointments follow the earlier confirmation that former Defence Secretary John Healey will become Chancellor.
Healey’s selection was considered a surprise after Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood had both been strongly linked to the Treasury. He replaces Rachel Reeves, who left the government after reportedly turning down another senior Cabinet role.
Miliband has instead been appointed Foreign Secretary, replacing Yvette Cooper, while Mahmood remains Home Secretary.
Cooper has moved to the Department of Health and Social Care, where she replaces James Murray. Burnham has made reform of adult social care one of the central missions of his government.
Pat McFadden will continue as Work and Pensions Secretary, providing one of the clearest elements of continuity with the previous administration.
Louise Haigh has been handed one of the most powerful positions in the new government. She becomes First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the senior Cabinet Office minister.
Although she has not formally been given the title of Deputy Prime Minister, the appointment makes Haigh Burnham’s principal coordinator across government and effectively his deputy at the Cabinet table.
Who has left?
The reshuffle has seen several figures closely associated with Starmer removed from government.
Rachel Reeves has departed as Chancellor, while David Lammy has left his positions as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary.
Darren Jones, who served as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, has also been removed, alongside former Housing Secretary Steve Reed and Business Secretary Peter Kyle.
Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have also confirmed their departures.
James Murray has been replaced as Health Secretary, although it remains unclear whether he will be offered another government position.
Wales still waiting
No replacement has yet been announced for Jo Stevens as Secretary of State for Wales.
The vacancy is particularly significant because Burnham has promised a major programme of constitutional change and greater devolution of powers from Westminster.
The identity of the new Welsh Secretary will provide an early indication of how prominently Wales will feature within the new Prime Minister’s plans.
Several further senior appointments remain outstanding, including the posts of Defence Secretary, Justice Secretary, Northern Ireland Secretary and Welsh Secretary.
Wes Streeting, Lisa Nandy, Heidi Alexander, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Angela Eagle and a number of other Labour figures have entered Downing Street, but their positions had not been formally confirmed at the time of publication.
Burnham took office on Monday after being formally appointed by the King, promising what he described as a “circuit breaker” moment for Britain.
His government is expected to announce its first package of cost-of-living measures on Tuesday, with proposals involving energy bills and bus fares among the policies being considered.
Crime
Mynachlog-ddu man handed suspended sentence for assaulting child
Magistrates said Edward Roxborough lost his temper during an unprovoked attack on a vulnerable youngster
A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting assaulting a child in Narberth.
Edward Roxborough, aged 32, of Mynachlog-ddu, near Clunderwen, appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to assault by beating.
The court heard that the offence took place last year and involved what magistrates described as an “unprovoked attack of a serious nature”.
Magistrates said Roxborough had reacted angrily and lost his temper against a defenceless and vulnerable child, who cried out in pain following the assault.
The offence was considered serious enough to cross the custody threshold.
Roxborough was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.
The court said the sentence had been suspended in light of recent legislative changes and the presumption in favour of suspending short custodial terms.
He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 20 rehabilitation activity days.
Roxborough must pay £400 in prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £154.
A collection order was made, with the full amount due by August 27.
No compensation order was imposed, with magistrates noting that compensation could be pursued through other channels.
The prosecution was conducted by Adam Burcher, while Chris Evans represented Roxborough.
Reporting restrictions were imposed under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, preventing the child from being identified.
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