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Crime

Red wine and cocaine led to crowbar threats, court hears

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A COURT has heard how a Haverfordwest man feared for his life after being threatened by a person wearing a balaclava and wielding a crowbar in the early hours of December 23.

Mathew Gardener arrived at his home in Winch Crescent, Haverfordwest, by taxi soon after 2am where he discovered a man standing in the street wearing a balaclava and carrying a crowbar and a pair of gloves. The man then walked over to Mr Gardener’s Toyota Avensis car which was parked outside his house, and got inside.

“The man was then seen getting out of the car and began moving towards the complainant,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The complainant was terrified as he didn’t know what he might do with the crowbar.”

Police officers were alerted of the incident and identified the defendant as Jack Mills, 24, of Glebe House, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest.

This week Mills pleaded guilty to charges of going equipped for theft by having a crowbar, balaclava and gloves in his possession; tampering with Mr Gardener’s motor vehicle and harassing Mr Gardener with fear of violence by waving the crowbar towards him.

He was represented in court by solicitor, Mr Michael Kelleher.

“My client has no recollection of what happened that night and he has no idea of what he did, nor why he did it,” he said.

“But he accepts what happened, and doesn’t dispute for one minute what the complainant says.”

Mr Kelleher went on to say that whenever Mills feels ill, he seeks help.

“But then as soon as he starts to feel better, he cancels everything,” he said.

“The crowbar was something he made himself in college and the balaclava he wears inside his helmet when he drives his motorcycle.

“My client doesn’t know the complainant and he has very little recollection, if any, of the incident.”

Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates that the complainant feared for his safety throughout the incident.

“This is a very serious offence, and the defendant knows this,” she said.

“He remembers consuming some red wine and some cocaine that night so this could possibly have been part of the reason why he behaved in the way that he did.”

Mills was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the complainant for the distress which he caused him. He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Mother admits to killing seven-year-old son in Haverfordwest

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A mother has admitted to the manslaughter of her seven-year-old son at their home in Haverfordwest, citing diminished responsibility.

Papaipit Linse, 43, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 22), where she denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her son, Louis Linse. Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC confirmed the manslaughter plea would be accepted, stating it “did not come as a surprise” to the prosecution.

The incident occurred on 10 January when police were called to a property on Upper Market Street. Louis was rushed to Withybush General Hospital but tragically died shortly afterwards.

During the hearing, Linse, who spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas, was informed that she would be sentenced on 13 December. Judge Paul Thomas KC described the case as “clearly a very sensitive as well as a very tragic case.”

The court was told that Linse is currently receiving treatment at the Caswell Clinic, a mental health facility in Bridgend. Psychiatric evidence is expected to be presented during the sentencing hearing to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

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Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

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A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

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Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

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A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

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