A SWANSEA man, Rickey Lewis, 33, from Strand Mews, has avoided an immediate prison sentence despite pleading guilty to an assault that left his victim, from Pembrokeshire, with a permanent scar. The attack took place at the Cross Keys Public House in Swansea on July 2 of last year.

Lewis, who has 12 previous convictions, including for affray and domestic assault in 2019, was involved in a confrontation that escalated into violence. CCTV footage revealed Lewis repeatedly attempting to strike the victim, continuing his assault even after an initial blow, until pub staff intervened. Although it remains unclear whether a glass was used, broken glass was found on the floor near the scene.

The victim sustained a cut to the head, resulting in a permanent one-inch scar. Although the bleeding subsided within 15 minutes and the victim did not seek medical treatment, the injury has left lasting psychological effects. The court heard that the victim now suffers from fear of being followed, disturbed sleep, and a loss of appetite, all of which have significantly impacted their daily life.

While the injury was considered relatively minor, the permanence of the scar and the victim’s ongoing psychological trauma placed the case within the lower range of Category 2 offenses.

In mitigation, Lewis’ defence highlighted several factors, including his early guilty plea, which demonstrated his acceptance of responsibility. His defence also argued that Lewis has been addressing his alcohol problems, which he admitted contributed to his “moment of stupidity and madness” on the night of the incident. Since the assault, Lewis has reportedly taken steps to manage both his alcohol intake and his temper.

The court also heard about the detrimental impact the case has had on Lewis’ family. As the primary breadwinner, Lewis faces the risk of eviction should he be unable to work. His relationship with his 15-year-old daughter has also deteriorated due to the legal proceedings, and he expressed a desire to rebuild that bond and become a more responsible father.

Despite the gravity of the offense and Lewis’ criminal record, the court acknowledged his efforts to reform and the significant consequences his imprisonment would have on his family. As a result, Lewis was sentenced to 24 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.

During this suspension period, Lewis is required to complete 225 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation days, focusing on anger management and alcohol abuse. The court emphasized that the suspended sentence provides Lewis an opportunity to avoid immediate imprisonment and make positive changes in his life. However, any failure to comply with these conditions would result in serious consequences, including the activation of his custodial sentence.

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been warned that he faces a prison sentence after admitting to a series of child sex offences spanning over two decades.

Mark Ford, 65, of Ambleston, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges of indecent assault and sexual misconduct involving three young victims. The offences occurred over a 24-year period, from the late 1990s to as recently as last year.

Ford was charged with a total of 10 historical child sex offences. These included three counts of indecent assault against a teenage girl between 1999 and 2001. He also faced charges of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault against a second girl, who was under 14 years old, between 2000 and 2003.

More recently, Ford was accused of sexually assaulting a third child, as well as causing that child to watch a sexual act on two separate occasions, with these offences taking place between 2022 and 2023.

In court, Ford admitted to one count of indecent assault against the first child, indecency with a child and indecent assault against the second victim, and both offences of causing a child to watch a sexual act, as well as one count of sexual assault against the third child. He denied the remaining charges.

Prosecutor James Hartson told the court that these admissions were deemed acceptable, and no trial would be pursued for the charges Ford had denied. “Justice can be done by accepting those pleas,” Mr Hartson said, confirming that the charges reflected Ford’s offending against all three victims.

Judge Huw Rees adjourned sentencing to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. In the meantime, Ford has been readmitted to bail but will return to court on October 18 for sentencing. He has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Addressing the defendant in court, Judge Rees issued a stark warning: “Quite clearly, these sentences pass the custody threshold. You should prepare yourself for a period of imprisonment.”

Ford’s sentencing will determine the extent of the punishment for crimes that have caused significant harm to his victims over many years.

Rose Voon, a 40-year-old woman from Aberystwyth, was sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court to three months in prison for two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. The sentences will run concurrently, and due to the five months she has already spent on remand at Eastwood Park prison, she was ordered to be released immediately following the hearing.

The case revolved around an incident on April 1, when Voon, while in custody at a police station in Aberystwyth, became aggressive, swore, and spat at two police officers and a nurse.

The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Although no physical injuries were reported, one of the officers, PC Heron, expressed significant discomfort and concern over the potential health risks associated with being spat on.

Voon, who is diagnosed as having multiple personality disorder, had been at the police station following an earlier unrelated arrest. She had a stress-induced mental health episode during that arrest, leading to her actions.

During sentencing, His Honour Judge Huw Rees emphasised the complexity of Voon’s situation, citing her extensive history of mental health challenges.

Voon’s defence team urged the court to consider these factors, arguing that she required appropriate support upon her release.

They advocated for her placement in a secure environment where she could access the necessary treatment.

The court was informed that, two days before the hearing, an assessment had been conducted to identify suitable accommodation for Voon.

However, the court also heard that no placement was currently available, and it could take several months before one becomes accessible.

The probation service recommended a limited community order focused on rehabilitation activities, acknowledging the necessity for Voon to transition from her current residence to assisted living.

Judge Rees, however, noted the lack of a clear plan for effectively managing Voon’s needs within the community.

He expressed doubt that a community order with rehabilitation activities would be sufficient, given her complex mental health issues. Despite this, he recognised the immediate need for her release due to the time she had already served in custody.

Voon’s situation remains precarious; while she requires a secure environment, such as supported accommodation, but none is currently available to her.

In his closing remarks, Judge Rees described Voon as an “extremely vulnerable individual” who had suffered significantly due to circumstances beyond her control.

He expressed hope that upon her release, she would return to her accommodation in Aberystwyth and continue working with her community mental health team and social worker.

Voon offered apologies via her counsel to all parties involved in the incident, acknowledging her misconduct and expressing remorse. She was advised to personally apologise to the officers she had assaulted if the opportunity arose.

The judge concluded by warning Voon that repeated offences could lead to longer sentences in the future. He expressed his hope that she would cooperate with those trying to help her and make the necessary changes to avoid further legal trouble. A statutory surcharge was applied, payable within six months.

Voon is expected to return to Aberystwyth, where arrangements are being made to ensure she remains in a supportive and secure environment until better residential support can be provided—support that she urgently needs.

However, the case raises a critical question: why was a person with such complex mental health issues charged and jailed for a minor offence, rather than being provided with the support she so clearly needed? Her incarceration has led to a deterioration in her mental health, including her being seriously assaulted in prison.

When asked why she had pleaded guilty to the two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, Voon revealed that she didn’t even realise she had, raising concerns about her ability to follow the legal proceedings or understand why she was in jail in the first place.

The evidence presented in court indicated that she had no memory of the incident.