Crime

Burglar admits to string of thefts across county

Published

5 months ago

November 30, 2023

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.

Crime

Police and Crime Commissioner election results for Dyfed-Powys

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PLAID Cymru Candidate, Dafydd Llywelyn re-elected as Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner for his third term.

On Friday, 3rd of May 2024, it was confirmed that Plaid Cymru Candidate, Dafydd Llywelyn was re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys following the election on 2nd of May 2024.

The four candidates standing for election were:

Ian Harrison (Conservative)
Dafydd Llywelyn (Plaid Cymru)
Philippa Thompson (Labour)
Justin Griffiths (Welsh Liberal Democrats)

Dafydd Llywelyn issued the following statement: “I am extremely honoured to be re-elected as your Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys for the third successive time.

“Since I was elected to this role for the first time in 2016, we have made significant progress in enhancing community safety and improving our policing service for communities.

“I have a strong track record of listening to our communities’ concerns, and delivering on promises, and I am proud of what we have achieved, but there is still much to do.

“As I start this new term in Office, I am committed to build on the achievements to date and address the challenges that lie ahead.

“Transparency, accountability and collaboration will remain at the forefront of my efforts to ensure that we can improve public trust and confidence in policing.

“Your safety will continue to be my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police area remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”

Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable, Dr Richard Lewis said:

“Many congratulations to Dafydd Llywelyn for this afternoon’s result. His re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner for Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police for a third term means that we can look forward to continuing our work in service of the public, together. I also wish to extend my thanks to the other candidates for their positive engagement with the force during the last few months.”

‘New Voting System’

This was the fourth time Police and Crime Commissioner elections have been held, with the first election taking place in 2012.

Previous PCC elections in England and Wales have used the supplementary vote system, which is different to a normal election.

Supplementary voting is when voters mark on the ballot paper their first choice and can – if they wish, it’s not compulsory – mark on the ballot paper their second choice too.

However, following legislative changes, the 2024 PCC Elections used the first past the post voting system, where voters voted by choosing one candidate on the ballot paper. This is the same system as UK Parliamentary elections and local elections in England and Wales.

‘Results breakdown’

The results for Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s elections were as follows:

Ian Harrison (Conservative) 25%
Dafydd Llywelyn (Plaid Cymru) 41%
Philippa Thompson (Labour) 24%
Justin Griffiths (Welsh Liberal Democrats) 10%

The new PCC term begins on Thursday 9th of May 2024.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Labour Crime Commissioner candidate gets most votes in Pembrokeshire

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

The Pembrokeshire declaration of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election just has been made by Deputy Returning Officer Steven Richards-Downes.

The results in Pembrokeshire are Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 1,209; Ian Harrison 5,168 (Con); Dafydd Llywelyn 4,643 (Plaid) and Philippa Thompson (Lab) 5,386.

Therefore Philippa Thompson, of Labour, has had the most votes in Pembrokeshire.

Votes are also being counted in Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Once all the votes are in we will know who is elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Police.

Before the election Philippa Thompson told this newspaper: “There’s a huge crisis in funding for policing and public services. The Conservative Westminster Government has so much to answer for having destroyed our country’s economy. Labour believes security is the bedrock on which opportunities are built, communities thrive, and local economies prosper.

“Instead of standing up for security, the Tories have done the opposite. This wasn’t an accident – it was the result of deliberate choices. A choice to cut police from our streets, a choice to undermine respect for the rule of law. Our communities cannot afford more of the same. Things have got to change.

“Labour will be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.”