Crime
Red wine and cocaine led to crowbar threats, court hears
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
Arrest made following report of sexual assault in Haverfordwest
DETECTIVES in Haverfordwest are appealing for witnesses following a report of a sexual assault which occurred at approximately 10:00pm-11:30pm on Thursday (May 16) in the vicinity of Dew St, Haverfordwest.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
The police have asked that anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area at the time and may have information that could help officers with enquiries, is asked to contact police.
Police can be contacted either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference:427 of 16th
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
Crime
Four young Pembrokeshire men arrested on suspicion of rape
DETECTIVES looking into a serious allegation of rape and sexual assault that took place in Saundersfoot on Saturday (May 11) have made arrests, The Herald can confirm.
Four males, aged 22, 21, 20 and 19 were arrested on suspicion of rape. They have now been released pending further enquiries.
A police spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald on Thursday (May 16): “Dyfed Powys is investigating an allegation of rape and sexual assault that took place in Saundersfoot on May 11. The victim is being supported by specialist officers.
“Four men, aged 22, 21, 20 and 19 have been arrested on suspicion of rape. All four have been released on conditional bail pending further police enquiries.
Crime
Father must stay out of trouble be jailed, says judge
A FATHER who attacked his then-girlfriend in a violent outburst has been sentenced to a suspended prison term, with the warning that any further trouble will result in jail time.
Christopher Bendall, 33, of Great Eastern Terrace, Neyland, must remain law-abiding for the next 18 months or serve a 12-month prison sentence for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 6 August 2022, when Bendall returned home after a night out. His then-girlfriend, who had also been out separately, entered his unlocked home at approximately 4.20am. Upon waking Bendall, she questioned him about messages from another woman found on his phone. The confrontation escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical altercation.
Bendall threw a footstool and the victim’s mobile phone at her, both of which missed. He then pushed her to the floor, dragged her by her hair, slapped her face, and dragged her into the hallway. The victim managed to escape by grabbing Bendall by his testicles, causing him to release her grip. She fled the property, taking Bendall’s mobile phone with her.
Following the assault, Bendall called 999, accusing the woman of attacking him. Police initially arrested her but released her after noticing her injuries, which included carpet burns, bruises, and redness. Bendall was then arrested.
The court heard that this was not the first assault. In May, Bendall had thrown his mobile phone at the woman, breaking her finger.
Bendall initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to the two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Three other charges, including controlling or coercive behaviour, assault by beating, and strangulation, were dropped, and not guilty verdicts were formally entered for these counts.
In her victim impact statement, the woman revealed that she had been seeing a counsellor and was on anxiety medication following the assaults. She expressed that she still struggled to feel normal and feared going out alone.
Bendall’s defence highlighted that he was a father of three, a successful solar electrician, and previously of clean character. They noted that he was a good father, very involved with his children, and had well-paid employment. It was also stated that he had abstained from alcohol and had no further incidents since August 2022.
Judge Mr Recorder D Elias KC took into account Bendall’s plea, a pre-sentence report, and two character references. He acknowledged the psychological harm caused to the victim and described the injuries from the second assault as ‘nasty.’
Bendall was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to attend a Building Better Relationships course, undertake ten days of rehabilitation activity, and complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £1,500 in court costs and a £156 victim surcharge within six months.
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