Heavy police presence: Emergency services attended the scene of the stabbing (Pic. The Herald)

A HAVERFORDWEST man who ‘coolly and calmly’ stabbed another man in the abdomen during a row over money has been jailed today (Dec 2) for more than five years.

Jordan Rees had to be airlifted to Swansea’s Morriston hospital for an emergency operation after a ‘terrifying attack’ at Riflemen’s Field.

Liam Newman, aged 19, admitted wounding with intent and was jailed for five years and four months.

Swansea Crown Court heard that children who witnessed the attack had been so traumatised that they still refused to play in the park.

Carina Hughes, prosecuting, said members of the two families had holidayed together in Magaluf. But the holiday went wrong and the tour company later paid compensation, but only to the person whose name came first on the booking form.

That led to an argument between the families, said Miss Hughes, and a confrontation on September 19.

During the row Jordan’s mother telephoned him and asked him to come to the park, and Liam Newman was asked by his younger brother James to attend.

Liam Newman arrived on a motorcycle dressed entirely in black and wearing a black helmet.

He immediately stabbed Mr Rees, and walked ‘coolly and calmly away, just as he had arrived.’

Mr Rees was left on the ground with his intestines emerging through the wound.

He underwent a two and a half hour operation and spent two weeks in hospital.

Miss Hughes said several children were left shocked by what they had seen and a seven year old girl was still receiving counselling.

Newman telephoned a friend, Martin Clarke, and told him “I have done something stupid.” Mr Clarke took him to Haverfordwest police station where he told officers what he had done.

Newman’s barrister, John Tarrant, said he had never been in trouble with the police and the degree of violence shown that day was difficult to understand.

The judge, Mr Recorder Timothy Petts said it was a worrying and awful case, worrying partly because a 19 year old man with no history of violence could do such a thing.

“Knives are dangerous and here is another demonstration of what can happen.

“Mr Rees feels he could have died and it will take him a long time to recover, if he ever does.

“Even children who saw the incident were traumatised,” he added.

Newman, who left the area after the stabbing to live in Gloucestershire, was also made the subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting Mr Rees.