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Rape victims to be offered new support

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comissionerVICTIMS of sexual assault and rape are to receive support at two new specialist facilities in rural Wales. 

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon has secured £121,000 in Government funding to create the rape crisis centres. They are due to open in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, and Newtown, Powys before next summer. Mr Salmon said: “Victims of rape and sexual assault are highly vulnerable; I am committed to providing improved facilities and care to support them. “These facilities will ensure that victims of these horrific crimes will not have to travel excessive distances to receive the support they need. “I’m delighted that we’ve secured this grant from the Ministry of Justice PCC Competed Fund.” The Dyfed-Powys Police force area, covering more than half of Wales, has one specialist Sexual Assault Referral Centre. Based in Carmarthen, it services the whole of the region. Mr Salmon, in partnership with Wales-based charity New Pathways, will use the grant to refurbish two premises used by Dyfed-Powys Police to create the Rural Satellite Rape Crisis Centres. Based at Newtown Police Station and a property in Bow Street, Aberystwyth, they will ensure that victims in Ceredigion and Powys have access to a local facility. Currently some victims can face a round journey of up to five hours. The centres will have a medical examination room and be supported by a New Pathways crisis worker. Mr Salmon said: “Victims will be able to access immediate specialist help. The services will have a significant effect on the psychological and physical wellbeing of victims. “Each person will have a full assessment of their needs, and the on-going support provided by New Pathways and Dyfed Powys Police will be tailored to the individual.” Dyfed-Powys Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: “Victims of rape and sexual assault deserve the very best service and support. This funding will make an enormous difference to victims living in our rural communities. Specialist support for victims of rape and sexual assault will also assist us in bringing offenders to justice.” New Pathways Chief Executive Jackie Stamp said: “We’re delighted this funding has been granted to the Commissioner. “It’s vital these services are provided locally where they’re so badly needed. We’ll work with Dyfed Powys Police and Mr Salmon to ensure that people affected by rape or sexual abuse get the support they deserve.”

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Crime

Shoplifter sentenced for two Pembrokeshire thefts

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A SHOPLIFTER has appeared before magistrates after admitting stealing food and alcohol from two stores in Pembroke Dock

John Ashby, 37, was seen stealing two crates of San Miguel lager valued at £22 from B&M Bargains on July 8 while on Hallowe’en of this year he entered the Farm Foods store, and stole 12 food items valued at £80.61.

His solicitor, Michael Kellher, said that the offences were committed after Ashby relocated to Pembrokeshire from London, where he was employed as a bricklayer.

“He’s always been in employment, but since moving to Pembrokeshire he hasn’t been able to find a job,” he said.  “He hasn’t signed on for Universal Credit with the result that he stole the foodstuffs out of necessity.”

Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman said that Ashby’s Halloween theft was committed after the defendant had been placed on a Community Order, imposed on September 24, for a previous shoplifting conviction.

“Having said that, he’s attended all appointments with the probation service,” she said.  “The Community Order was given following his first ever conviction, so he doesn’t trouble the courts on a regular basis.”

After asking to address the magistrates, Ashby apologised to the court for his behaviour.

“I’m not a bad person,” he said.  “I’ve worked since the age of 16, but I’m not excusing my behaviour.”

Ashby was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.  He must also pay £80.61 compensation to Farm Foods and £22 compensation to B&M.

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Crime

Internet dating app relationship turns sour for Pembrokeshire couple

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AN internet dating app relationship has resulted in a four-figure fine for a Pembrokeshire man after he refused to accept that a two-month relationship was over.

Gareth Thomas, 51, met Rachel Blundell on an unknown dating app in January of this year.

“The relationship lasted for seven or eight weeks, they had meals out together and the defendant stayed over at her property on a few occasions,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The relationship came to an end for whatever reason, but the defendant chose to continue sending her texts which were persistent and unwanted.”

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Ms Blundell said that Thomas’s persistence left her feeling anxious.

“I’m unsure why he feels the need to contact me, because the relationship is over,” she said.

“He knows where I live and I’m afraid he’ll start causing issues with me.  I just want him to accept that the relationship is over and he’ll leave me alone because it makes me feel alarmed, harassed and distressed.  I’m scared about what he might do in the future.”

Thomas, of Gatehouse View, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment without violence.  He was represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“He agrees that there was repeated contact with Ms Blundell, but there were no threats nor violence.”

Mr Kelleher went on to say that Thomas was confused following Ms Blundell’s decision to terminate the relationship.

“She claimed that her father had been taken ill, but then went onto another dating site, and my client couldn’t quite understand why.  He was confused, he didn’t know why it happened, and he was even optimistic that she’d have second thoughts and they could sort things out.  He was never once told not to contact her.”

Meanwhile probation officer Charmaine Fox said that Thomas believed the way in which Ms Blundell ended the relationship was ‘a lie’.

“In the past he’s been able to rekindle a relationship, and he thought this may happen again.  But things are very different in modern society, and the way people contact each other is now very different.”

Thomas was fined £833 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.  He was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.  He must also adhere to a 12-month restraining order preventing him from approaching and entering any address which Ms Blundell may reside in and not to enter any electronic data that refers directly to Ms Blundell.  

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Crime

Trainee plumber admits damaging vehicle whilst on a bender

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A TRAINEE plumber who consumed so much alcohol that ‘he didn’t know what he was doing’ has appeared before magistrates charged with interfering with two cars parked in Pembroke town centre.

In the early hours of October 6, police officers saw Ethan Pender, 20, sitting inside a Ford Fiesta parked in Main Street.

“The interior lights were on, so this naturally attracted the officers’ attention,” Crown Prosecution Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When the officers questioned Pender about what he was doing, he told them it was his parent’s vehicle, however a subsequent vehicle check confirmed it belonged to someone else residing in the area.

Pender, who is currently enrolled on a plumbing course at Pembrokeshire College, pleaded guilty to a similar charge of entering a parked BMW.

“The contents of a First Aid box were strewn all over the seats and the lock on the central console was broken,” continued Ms Vaughan. She confirmed that no items had been stolen from either vehicle.

However Pender’s solicitor Tom Lloyd, claimed the offences were committed following a drinking spree.

“He was extremely intoxicated and had got to the state where he couldn’t remember what he was doing,” he said.  “There was no targeting of any vehicles, and no damage was caused to them.”

But the magistrates failed to be swayed by Mr Lloyd’s mitigation.

“You’re claiming you were so drunk that you don’t remember what was going on, but we don’t buy that at all,” said the presiding magistrate.

As a result, magistrates requested an oral probation report prior to sentencing, however chief probation officer Julie Norman requested an adjournment as a result of Pender’s history of court orders and cautions.

“We consider him to be at high risk of reoffending,” said Ms Norman.

Sentencing was adjourned to November 26 and Pender was released on conditional bail, the conditions being that he obeys a daily curfew between 8pm and 7am and he lives and sleeps at his home address at Central Court, Milford Haven.

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