“I can never have a routine again. My life is still controlled by his behaviour. I have to do what I can to keep myself safe.”

THERE are the words of a woman who was stalked, controlled, and threatened by her ex-partner.

She has bravely shared her experiences as a victim of domestic abuse as part of Dyfed-Powys Police’s winter campaign, which aims to speak to those affected by domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, empowering them to report incidents, and offering means to find support.

Cathy outlined the ongoing effects of the psychological abuse she was subjected to by a man who ‘targeted, groomed and controlled’ her when she was vulnerable.

Appearing to be ‘the nicest of people’ when they first met, Cathy said his behaviour changed when they began a relationship, and he started to control her.

“I was totally manipulated and managed by this man,” she said. “All the things you see in domestic abuse cases where the victim and perpetrator are married or live together, he did to me – he controlled me, he stopped me from seeing friends, he was damaging things and blaming me. He was totally gaslighting me, but he would be so angry that I didn’t dare do anything about it.

“He never physically abused me, but the effects of being coercively controlled are the most dangerous – the psychological abuse is impossible to get over.”

Realising some of his actions were warning flags, Cathy started a diary where she could log his behaviour.

He was watching her while she was at home, turning up at places she had not told him she was going to, and she later found out he was stalking her.

As well as getting advice from Dyfed-Powys Police, she sought help from several support organisations.
“I would crawl to the kitchen to make a cup of tea – that’s how unsafe I felt at that time,” she said.
“For months and months I had an overnight bag packed so I could just disappear. From every room in my house, I had an escape route. I knew exactly how I could get out of there if I needed to.

Domestic abuse covers physical or sexual abuse; violent or threatening behaviour; economic abuse; and psychological or emotional abuse. The victim and offender are linked as relatives, partners who are or have been married or in a civil partnership (or are engaged to be); in an intimate relationship; or have had parental relationships with the same child.

“I want to spread the word that domestic abuse isn’t always linked to somebody you may live with, have lived with, or you have children with,” Cathy said. “If you’ve had an intimate relationship with someone – even a one night stand – and they go on to stalk, harass or control you – that is domestic abuse.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, what your background is, or your education, you could be affected by it.”

Cathy was mostly complimentary about the action taken by police, and at the end of the criminal justice process measures were put in place to protect her. The effects of the psychological abuse took a toll on her mental health, however, and her experiences have led to major changes in how she lives her life.

“I always consider the consequences of what I do or say,” she said. “I’m permanently scanning my surroundings, I’m always checking my rear view mirror, I cannot switch off.

“I still always have to be prepared.

“He is still a threat. Until he dies, I feel he is a threat to me and my life.”

If any of Cathy’s story resonates with you, or you need to report domestic abuse, stalking or harassment, you can contact Dyfed-Powys Police in the following ways:
Report online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
Email: [email protected]
Call: 101

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908
In an emergency, always call 999.If you feel you need support in contacting police, there are organisations that can help you. Click here to find them, or search online for Live Fear Free, Women’s Aid or the National Stalking Helpline – all of which have free helplines available.

JOHN SMITH, 45, of Stover Avenue in Sageston, pleaded guilty to a series of calculated burglaries spanning across Pembrokeshire this week.

These incidents, which occurred mainly in the Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock areas, paint a picture of a meticulously planned crime spree involving an array of stolen items, from electronics to personal effects.

On October 18, Smith was involved in three separate burglaries in Haverfordwest, as well as an attempted burglary. In one instance, he managed to abscond with a purse, a wallet containing £70, and an iPhone from an address on Prendergast.

Another break-in on the same street saw the theft of a North Face jacket and a dog lead. The same day, Smith executed a more ambitious heist on Perrots Terrace, where he stole a PlayStation 5 with a controller and games, an HDMI cable, watches, an iPad, and even a pillow case.

Further adding to his criminal portfolio, Smith faced two counts of fraud, relating to the unauthorized use of two women’s bank cards on October 8.

These were used to purchase alcohol at a local Bargain Booze store. On October 9 and 10, Smith’s burglary spree continued in Pembroke Dock, where he stole jewellery, a vase, and £165 in cash from an address on Front Street. The next day, a home on Imble Street was his target.

Notably, on October 10, Smith was also charged with carrying a utility knife in a public place, adding a concerning element of potential violence to his criminal activities.

Defending, Stuart John highlighted Smith’s recognition of the gravity of his actions and his anticipation of a significant prison sentence. “There seems to be an element of compulsiveness with this defendant,” John noted, adding that alcohol and drugs were not influencing factors in Smith’s behavior. This statement has led to the request for a psychiatric evaluation, seeking to understand the underlying motivations for these crimes.

Judge Catherine Richards has scheduled the sentencing for January 10, remanding Smith into custody until then. This case has prompted discussions in the community about the need for increased vigilance and possibly reviewing local security measures.

Jordan Cooney, 28, of Dewing Avenue, Manorbier, has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for a brutal robbery that unfolded in Pembroke Dock. Dyfed-Powys Police have released a harrowing image of Cooney, the face of a man who subjected his victim to a relentless onslaught, leaving him battered and terrified.

The incident occurred on the evening of September 26 this year, when Cooney, under the influence of alcohol and cannabis, launched a vicious attack on a considerably older man in his Pembroke Dock flat. The victim, who bore the brunt of up to 30 blows to his face, recounted the horrifying experience in a victim personal statement presented during the trial at Swansea Crown Court last week.

In the chilling testimony, the victim expressed the profound impact of the robbery, stating that his life had been irrevocably altered. He now lives in constant fear, both outside and within the confines of his home. “I have never been hurt so much in my life,” he remarked, detailing the haunting nightmares that now plague his sleep.

The court heard that Cooney, aware that his victim was due to receive benefits at midnight on September 26, orchestrated a premeditated plan to exploit this knowledge. He ruthlessly demanded the victim’s debit card and PIN number during the assault, persistently striking him in the face between each word. Cooney’s motive became evident when, shortly after midnight, he visited a cash point in Pembroke Dock and successfully withdrew £500 from the victim’s account.

Judge Mr Recorder J Powell KC condemned the calculated nature of the crime, describing it as a “deliberate plan” aimed at extracting money once the victim’s benefits had been deposited. The injuries sustained by the victim were deemed “appalling,” and the judge expressed relief that more serious injuries or fractures had not occurred.

Cooney’s crime didn’t end with the initial assault. In a horrifying turn of events, when the victim attempted to escape, Cooney pursued him, dragging him back into the flat by his hair, and subjected him to further physical violence. The police, upon responding to the victim’s property, discovered him with a severely swollen and bloody face, with blood stains marking the brutality of the assault.

Arrested on the afternoon of September 27 in Monkton, Cooney was found in possession of two bags of cocaine worth approximately £100. Initially denying charges of robbery, fraud, and causing actual bodily harm, he later pleaded guilty to the charges at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, November 10.

In court, it was revealed that Cooney had a troubling criminal history, with 16 previous convictions for 39 offenses. Shockingly, he was on bail and under supervision at the time of the robbery and assault. Cooney’s defence cited his remorse and a genuine commitment to addressing his issues, including drug misuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Despite this, Cooney was handed a five-year and three-month prison sentence, with half of the term to be served behind bars and the remainder on licence. The sentencing sends a stern message about the consequences of such heinous acts, as the community grapples with the aftermath of a crime that has left indelible scars on the victim and the town of Pembroke Dock.