A MILFORD HAVEN man is to appear before magistrates for trial after allegedly assaulting a woman in Neyland and causing criminal damage to her property.

Reece Cookson, 33, is also accused of possessing a knife or a sharp-bladed article when he was arrested by police on December 6.

Cookson, of Hawthorn Path, Mount Estate, Milford Haven is accused of assaulting Cherrelle McCalla by beating on December 6 and of causing criminal damage to her property. Details of the damage caused were not given to Haverfordwest magistrates when Cookson appeared before them on Tuesday.

After denying all three charges, magistrates adjourned the case until January 23 when his trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court.

Cookson was released on conditional bail, the conditions being that he lives and sleeps at his home address and he does not contact, directly or indirectly, Cherrelle McCalla.

A VOTE has been passed in the Senedd today introducing new regulations to prohibit the supply of single-use vapes in Wales.

Introducing The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 to prohibit the supply (including for free) of single-use vapes in Wales will be another crucial step in tackling the litter and plastic pollution which blight our streets and environment.

Following the vote in the Senedd, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “This is a major step forward in tackling throwaway culture and the environmental impacts of single-use vapes. This is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and we continue to work with the other UK nations to address these challenges.

“Removing single-use vapes from the supply chain will stop them harming wildlife and the environment when they’re littered or sent to landfill. This ban will mean we generate less waste, clean up our streets, and protect nature and wildlife.”

The Regulations will come into force on 1 June 2025.

The Welsh Government has worked closely with UK Government and other Devolved Governments on this matter with all Nations commencing the bans at the same time.

This will enable the bans to be co-ordinated to improve compliance and help provide a consistent approach to enforcement across the UK.

No single-use vapes can be sold or given away for free after 1 June 2025. Businesses should speak to their suppliers now about ordering alternatives and start to educate staff and inform customers.

Businesses will need to organise, for their customers, the eventual safe disposal of their single-use vapes.

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of exploiting a vulnerable woman for sex, accommodation, finances, and alcohol has been made the subject of an interim Stalking Protection Order.

Mark Ion, 53, is set to be released from custody next Thursday, December 19.

This week, Dyfed-Powys Police solicitor Simon Schwarz urged Haverfordwest magistrates to impose the order to protect the victim, whom he described as “vulnerable, with drug and alcohol addiction issues.”

“She has been preyed upon by the defendant since September 2023,” Mr Schwarz told the court on Tuesday (Dec 10). “He has demonstrated parasitic behaviour towards her, using her for accommodation, finances, drink, and sex.

As soon as he’s released, he’ll be back, exhibiting coercive and controlling behaviour. His criminal record shows extreme violence towards women.”

Ion is accused of a prolonged period of control and abuse over the victim, with incidents dating back to October 2023.

Mr Schwarz presented harrowing evidence of Ion’s behaviour, including instances of violence and coercion.

• October 6, 2023: A member of the public reported seeing Ion with the victim on a bench in Haverfordwest. The victim appeared intoxicated and barely conscious, slumped against Ion, who was seen with his hands inside her trousers. The victim was taken to the hospital but had no memory of the incident.
• October 30, 2023: A 999 call led officers to an address in Slade Park, Haverfordwest, where the victim was found with a swollen eye. She alleged that Ion had hit her. At the time, Ion was subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with another woman living on the same street as the victim.
• October 24, 2023: Ion and the victim were seen arguing on a bus from Haverfordwest to Pembroke Dock. Ion, drinking whisky, threatened to hit the victim with the bottle and struck another woman who intervened. This assault led to a custodial sentence.
• November 21, 2023: A neighbour called 999 after hearing someone kicking the victim’s door. Ion was heard shouting, “Open the door, you f****** bitch,” while the victim was described as cowering like “a timid animal.”

Further incidents occurred, including a violent attack on June 8, 2024, when Ion punched the victim after she refused to have sex with him.

According to Mr Schwarz, Ion continued to harass the victim while in custody, sending letters that terrified her, including claims they would marry and have children.

Ion, currently serving a custodial sentence for an unrelated matter, appeared via video link from HM Parc Prison in Bridgend. He became aggressive during the hearing, leading prison staff to mute his comments.

After reviewing the evidence, magistrates imposed an interim Stalking Protection Order, effective from Ion’s release until a full hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on December 31. The order aims to safeguard the victim and prevent further contact.

“This is a woman who needs protection. It’s now clear her life is at risk,” Mr Schwarz concluded.