Crime

Eight bungling police officers ‘raided’ home of autistic child ‘by mistake’

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2023

THE FATHER of an autistic child has told of his horror as police officers smashed down his front door to execute a search warrant.
But it soon became apparent that as many as eight bungling officers had carried out the raid near Cardigan on the wrong address.
Michael Williams, 32, has taken to social media to share his experience, which he says has left his non-verbal son, 7, having nightmares.
Michael explained that when police smashed their way into the property they shouted for the father and his special-needs son to ‘Get down on the floor’.
“It was a frightening experience, seeing the door come in – and to be forced onto the floor without an understanding of what was going on,” said Michael.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Michael posted onto Facebook about the incident, receiving hundreds of shares. He said: “Where [can I] start with this mess – at 9am last Saturday (Jan 21) the police broke through my flat door with a warrant for a drugs search which in-fact was the wrong address and wrong person.
“You’ve effectively broke into my house with no warrant for the wrong person and address!
“My son was next to me on the sofa when this happened- anyone that knows me, or my son knows he is autistic and non-verbal. He is now Petrified of the police, he now has nightmares, the set back this is going to be for him is massive, we can’t ask him if he’s okay, we can’t explain to him how the force we pay to ‘protect’ us forced their way through our door with no valid reason or warrant (again the address on the warrant was across the road)
“For any child [this would have been] frightening for a child that’s nonverbal and autistic well it doesn’t bear thinking about!
Michael added: “Not once did the police check the Council Tax records or electoral board which would have shown mickey as a vulnerable child due to how complex needs.
“The police have offered no satisfactory reason to why they didn’t check things properly!
“I have seen the warrant the warrant address is in fact for across the road from me!
“I still have a door that won’t shut properly I probably have a child now that will be scared to come back because of the damage our fine ‘police force’ have done.
“How the hell the police forced entry in to a house (around 8 officers) with no warrant – there is more which I’m not ready to disclose until the ‘investigation’ is over, then again the police will always look after the police and that was evident today when I was told ‘the police done nothing wrong’
“Dyfed Powys police should hang their heads in shame! It’s disgusting what’s happened!
Michael finished his Facebook post by saying: “I would love this to be shared so no other child is made to jump out of their skin in their own home!
“The explanation you’re offering to this blunder isn’t good enough!”

I DON’T FEEL SAFE AT HOME

Michael now says has handed his notice to his landlord, stating that he no longer feels safe in his home and that it’s not a safe environment for his children.

Michael added that all he wants is answers. He would like to be able to sit down and speak to the officers responsible, instead of via email.

POLICE RESPONSE

Dyfed-Powys Police responded to the incident with a brief official statement. They said: “We can confirm that the Professional Standards Department has received a complaint, and this is currently in the process of being assessed and formally recorded under the Police Reform Act 2002.

“The Professional Standards Department will be in contact with the complainant to explain how the complaint will be handled, and the matter will be allocated to a suitable complaint handler for review.

“The outcome will be communicated with the complainant who will have a right to review if he is dissatisfied with the outcome”.

Crime

Organised Crime Group member found hiding under a pile of clothes jailed

Published

19 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A OCG member, who hid from officers under a pile of clothes, has received a prison sentence of almost five years.

Rhys Jones, 21, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday 17 April, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – heroin and burglary.

He was sentenced to four years and 10 months imprisonment.

Jones was arrested following a warrant at his address where he was found in possession of heroin with a street value of more than £25,000.

He was later caught on CCTV using a stolen bank card linking him to a burglary where a car, money and bank cards had been taken in the early hours of the morning.

The car has since been recovered.

Rhys Jones, the officer in the case, said: “Jones was arrested as part of Operation Bergen, a proactive and collaborate operation set by our Serious Organised Crime (SOC) and Neighbourhood team, to tackle serious organised crime in Rhymney and the surrounding area.

“He is a significant member of a serious organised crime group and was found in possession of vast quantities of heroin.

“We know that drug supply often has links into different types of criminal behaviour and Jones went on to commit further offences – showing his complete disregard for the criminal justice system and the community that he is a part of.

“Jones was driven by greed – selling drug to make money for the OCG and line his own pockets with no consideration for the harm and distress he caused.

“The public play a vital role by providing intelligence about drug dealing in their area and we welcome any information from our communities to help us tackle illegal activity.”

Crime

Pembrokeshire pensioner accused of 17 sexual offences against children

Published

20 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Court Reporter

A 72-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with 17 sexual offences against children under the age of 14.

The Crown Prosecution alleges that between May 2004 and April 2007 Robert Hughes of The Close, Spittal, sexually assaulted three girls on eight separate occasions, by touching. At the time of the alleged offences, the girls were aged under 13.

Hughes faces nine additional charges of gross indecency against four girls under the age of 14, allegedly committed between October 1998 and October 2004.

The Crown alleges that all offences took place in Haverfordwest,

Hughes denied all 17 charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday via a video link from his home.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction in the matter. Trial proceedings against Hughes will now commence at Swansea Crown Court on May 24.

Hughes was granted conditional bail, the conditions being that he does not contact the four complainants nor the Prosecution witnesses. He must also notify the police if he changes his address and must have no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18.

Crime

Former army officer admits driving on cannabis

Published

20 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Court Reporter

A FORMER army officer has appeared before magistrates after being caught drug-driving just one week before being granted a medical prescription for cannabis.

Shane Blofield was stopped by police soon at 9am on November 7 as he drove his white Ford transit van on the A40 through Slebech.

A roadside drugs swipe proved positive and subsequent blood tests showed he had 5.8mcg of Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The specified legal limit is 2.

This week Blofield, of Clos Pluguen, Llandovery, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving above the specified drug limit when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

“This is a former army officer who has served his country well and is the father to three young children,” said his counsel, Dr Bobby Shabir of the Kings Bench Chambers.

“My client has a prolapse as well as issues with his back, and as a result he requires medicinal cannabis for health reasons. A prescription for cannabis was sadly given to him a week after the incident, because at the time, he was oblivious to the fact that he could get it on prescription.”

Dr Shabbir presented the magistrates with three character references including one from his former employer and a work colleague. He informed magistrates that Blofield is currently unemployed.

After considering the mitigation, magistrates disqualified Shane Blofied from driving for 12 months. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.