Crime
Jail for carrying ‘sharply pointed knife’ through town centre
AN 18-YEAR-OLD Pembroke Dock man has been jailed by a district judge after admitting carrying what police described as ‘a sharply pointed knife’ through Salutation Square, Haverfordwest.
Officers were called to the square on the night of January 3 where they found Kane Stewart shouting and brandishing an imitation firearm, namely a BB gun. Further searches carried out by officers revealed he was also in possession of a sharply pointed knife and also some herbal cannabis, that amounted to 6.71g.
Stewart, of Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, was convicted of an identical offence of carrying a knife and an imitation firearm in June, 2023.
This week he pleaded guilty to possessing the knife, possessing the imitation firearm, possessing a controlled drug and failing to surrender to court bail on January 23.
“When he was very young he was diagnosed as having ADHD and this has determined his education and his lack of ability to find work,” his solicitor, David Williams, informed a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court.
“But he now has a desire to be considered for the army and has a recruitment appointment later this week. This shows that he has some semblance of a plan for his future.”
Mr Wiliams added that Stewart ‘resorted to cannabis for a period of time’, however has now significantly reduced his intake.
“He has shown a prospect of rehabilitation and has taken his own steps towards this,” said Mr Williams.
But District Judge Mark Layton confirmed that because this was Stewart’s second offence for possessing a knife blade in a public place, his sentencing powers were limited.
Stewart was given an immediate custodial sentence of 21 weeks. Half of this sentence will be served in prison while the remainder will be served on licence.
He was ordered to pay a £153 court surcharge and £85 costs. A destruction order was made for the knife and the BB gun.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
Crime
Sex offender jailed for breaching court order
A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.
Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.
Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.
The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.
Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.
Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”
She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.
Crime
Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.
Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.
If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods:
- Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 101
You can also provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers:
- Phone: 0800 555 111
- Website: crimestoppers-uk.org
Please quote reference number 24*944729 when providing information.
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