Court hears of grenade and sword threats during family dispute

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sentenced after threatening to throw a grenade at his sister and hack her head off with a sword.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Charles Bianchy, 37, became angry after believing his mother was giving money to his sister but not to him.

“He felt he wasn’t being afforded the same luxury and began sending his sister communications on social media,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.

“His social media posts made threats towards his sister, stating he would smash her head on a kerb, use it for target practice and throw a grenade at her. He also said he would hack her head off with a sword, and called her a nonce and a c***.”

Ms Vaughan said the defendant’s sister, Daisy Bianchy, urged him to remove the posts and warned that she would contact the police if he refused.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Daisy Bianchy said she believed the incident had been a wake-up call for her brother.

“I think this has given him a bit of a scare,” she said. “He was saying all these things, but you can’t make such unpleasant comments in public these days.”

Bianchy, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to sending communications threatening death or serious harm.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who told the court the defendant suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and experiences hallucinations, anxiety and episodes of psychosis.

“He certainly didn’t intend to carry out any of these threats, as throwing a grenade is something you can only do if you’re in the army,” said Mr Kelleher. “He’s deeply remorseful for what he did.”

Magistrates fined Bianchy £120 and ordered him to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs. An 18-month restraining order was also imposed preventing him from contacting his sister.

Motorist over cannabis limit during routine police check

A TENBY carer has lost her driving licence after being caught drug-driving in Milford Haven.

Samantha Jones, 40, was stopped by police on the afternoon of November 23 as officers carried out routine vehicle checks on Robert Street, Milford Haven.

After providing a positive roadside drugs swipe, Jones was asked to give a blood sample. Analysis later showed she had 2.3 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in her system. The legal limit is 2 micrograms.

Jones appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week where she pleaded guilty to the offence.

She was represented by solicitor Fenn Richards, who told the court the defendant had used cannabis for several years to help her sleep.

“She’s tried other medications but they haven’t worked,” said Ms Richards.

“She had taken cannabis the night before and didn’t think she would still be over the limit. But this has been a bit of a wake-up call for her, and since the incident she’s reduced her intake and wants to completely stay away from it.”

Jones, of Heywood Court, Tenby, was fined £346 and ordered to pay a £138 court surcharge and £85 in costs. She was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Motorist over the limit after drinking Guinness at local pub

A COURT has heard how a 21-year-old motorist drove a short distance to his home after drinking Guinness at his local pub.

Calls were made to police shortly after 10:00pm on February 10 reporting that Keelan Evans had been seen leaving the pub, revving the engine of his Ford Fiesta and driving along the A40 at Scleddau at excessive speed.

“The caller also informed officers that Evans had been seen drinking Guinness throughout the evening,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When officers arrived, they carried out a roadside breath test which proved positive. Further breathalyser tests showed Evans had 40 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35.

Evans, 21, of Cefn Coed, Dwrbach, Fishguard, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was represented in court by solicitor Fenn Richards.

“The defendant had been at work, he went to the pub which was a five-minute drive from where he lives, and he made the foolish decision to drive home,” said Ms Richards.

“He had drunk only a small amount of alcohol which is reflected in the low reading, and he’s absolutely devastated to be here today.”

Ms Richards added that as a result of the offence Evans had been forced to give up his job as an agricultural contractor.

“He was thought of very highly by his employer and is hoping to return to this type of work once his driving ban has been served,” she said.

Evans, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £48 surcharge.