News

‘Blood was everywhere’ in couple’s room

Published

12 years ago

January 16, 2014

A MAN and his partner from Ammanford appeared in Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face a charge of criminal damage.

Lianne Karen Cook, aged 29, also faced a charge of possession of cannabis, which she pleaded guilty to. She and her partner, Stephen Shane Kerrison, aged 36, were both charged with criminal damage at Ashby Guest Hotel in Tenby, damaging a carpet, roof slates, a window hinge, bedside cabinet and a chair, though have not yet entered a plea due to certain acceptances of the charge, though not all.

Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “Regarding the charge of possession of cannabis, a wrap containing the drug was found in their room. The defendant accepts the cannabis was hers”.

Defence solicitor Debra Thomas said: “Cook has told me that the wrap was not originally her cannabis and has been in her bag for around three months. She had been given it by a friend to look after and does not smoke it herself”.

Magistrates fined Cook a total of £100 and gave her a conditional discharge of 12 months. A destruction order was also issued for the drugs.

Ellie Morgan continued to speak about the incident regarding the two defendants.

“Cook and Kerrison had arrived around mid-day. They were given a key and showed to their room. In the evening the landlady heard loud noises and banging from their room and knocked on their door. She had to knock hard for a long time before they answered.

“Kerrison answered the door though didn’t open it much, and told the landlady he had ‘Had too much to drink’.

“Afterwards the landlady found furniture smashed with blood everywhere – on the floor, ceiling, bed clothes, bath sink, the window and on towels. There was also blood on the outside of the window and tiles on the roof had been damaged.

“A phone number had been given at the time of the booking, which she called. They arranged to cover costs, though the repair happened to be more expensive than was originally thought. There have been admissions, though not on a full basis”.

Debra Thomas said: “My clients offered to clean the room, though deny the damage”.

The case was adjourned until June 16. They were both released on unconditional bail.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

14 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

19 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

20 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.