News
Narberth man sent a semi-naked photograph of his ex to her own son
UNABLE to accept his relationship was over, a Narberth man sent a semi-naked photograph of his ex to her own son and then posted similar pictures on Facebook suggesting she was seeking male company.
Stephen Patrick Stokes bombard the victim at her home in Yeovil, Somerset, with a string of emails and text messages before sending the distressing photograph.
The victim decided not to go ahead with a prosecution to protect her privacy. However when he resumed contact again it was the “final straw” so she called the police and he was arrested.
Stokes, 59, of Redstone Road, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.
He pleaded guilty that between May 1 and June 25 last year he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of the female complainant in that he contacted her by text messages, emails and letters and via third parties.
Prosecutor Ben Winzer said that the couple had been in a relationship for five years when she ended it in March 2018 so Stokes moved to Pembrokeshire but did not take the separation well.
“The victim was texted, phoned, messaged and sent letters from the defendant who attempted to reignite the relationship,” he said.
“She also disclosed that Stokes had sent a semi-naked picture of the complainant to her adult son and posted like images on his Facebook profile suggesting she was seeking male company.
“She declined to prosecute because of her privacy, however on May 17 the defendant was contacted by police and told about the disclosure of the photo and he accepted his behaviour had been unacceptable and was warned that any further problems would lead to a complaint of harassment.
“On June 24 he contacted her again by text requesting resuming their relationship and this was the final straw and caused her to support a prosecution and he was arrested.”
When Stokes was interviewed he admitted harassing his ex to try and win her back and accepted sending the letters and disclosing the photos on Facebook.
“This was a significant aggravating feature in this case and was intended to maximise the distress caused to the complainant and also involved one of her children,” added Mr Winzer.
Defending solicitor Ray Peters said that Stokes was his partner’s full time carer before the relationship ended and it came as a shock to him when it happened and he became extremely depressed as a result.
“He went to live in Pembrokeshire and when the police contacted him he admitted he had been attempting to reignite their relationship, although there was no suggestion of any threats,” he said.
“When he went to Wales he was diagnosed with depression by his GP and was having difficulties eating so was prescribed sleeping tablets and anti depressants.
“He says he is now moving on from the relationship break-up and has stayed on medication and has been able to find casual work at a pub.
“He accepts the relationship is now over and has no wish to contact the complainant.”
The magistrates sentenced Stokes to an 18 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work and a 25 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Costs of £85 and an £85 surcharge were also imposed
The magistrates also imposed a 12 month restraining order on the defendant ordering that he must not contact the complainant or her children and must not go to her address in Yeovil.
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
News
Protest in Lampeter to save Wales’ oldest university
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Wales’ oldest university staged a march and demonstration last Friday (Dec 20) in a bid to highlight the plight of the Lampeter campus.
The protest, organised by the Lampeter Society, brought together former and current students, along with local residents, to oppose plans by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to relocate humanities courses to Carmarthen next September.
The rally began at Lampeter Rugby Club at 10:30am, with demonstrators marching to the university campus. Despite the timing—on a weekday and so close to Christmas—organisers reported a strong turnout.
Ieuan Davies, one of the organisers and a Lampeter alumnus from the 1980s, said: “We wanted to show support for the students whose education is being directly affected by these plans, and to remind decision-makers of the devastating impact this will have on the local economy and culture.”
Established in 1822, Lampeter is Wales’ oldest higher education institution. In 2009, it merged with Trinity College Carmarthen and later joined with Swansea Metropolitan University to form UWTSD.
The proposed relocation of the humanities faculty has sparked concerns about the long-term sustainability of higher education in Lampeter. Campaigners argue that losing the faculty would mark the end of over 200 years of academic heritage in the town.
The Lampeter Society has also launched a petition calling on the university and the Welsh Government to create a ‘viable, sustainable plan’ for the campus’s future. The petition requires 10,000 signatures to trigger a debate in the Senedd and can be accessed at https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246410.
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