Crime
Disqualified driver avoids jail after ‘very foolish’ puppy trip
A DISQUALIFIED driver who took a chance of driving a hired Mercedes to Pembrokeshire in order to view a litter of puppies has narrowly avoided a prison sentence.
Michael Arundel, 33, made the decision from his home in Ammanford on February 6, despite being a disqualified driver. But as he drove the hired Europcar vehicle along the A40 in Letterston, he was stopped by police officers.
“The car had been hired by another individual, which meant that the defendant was not authorised to drive it,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman stressed the seriousness of the offence,
“This was a very foolish decision that he made and it does cross the custody threshold,” she said.
“That day, the Mercedes was parked outside his house in Ammanford, but he then decided to drive it to this area to have a look at some puppies. He took a chance, but didn’t think the police would stop a car like that.”
Arundel pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and using the vehicle on a public road without third party insurance.
He was sentenced to an 18-month Community Order, during which he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation requirement days. He was disqualified from driving for 24 months. He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters
A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.
Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.
The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.
His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.
Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.
Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.
Crime
Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls
A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.
Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.
The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.
She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.
Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.
As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.
Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.
She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.
Crime
Man sent to Crown Court over heroin supply and £5,500 cash
A MAN with no fixed address has been remanded in custody accused of possessing heroin with intent to supply and holding thousands of pounds in suspected criminal cash.
Kieren Jones, aged 28, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9).
He is charged with possessing diamorphine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply it to two unknown persons in Carmarthen on Friday (Feb 7), contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Jones also faces a further allegation under the Proceeds of Crime Act that he acquired, used or possessed criminal property, namely £5,500 in cash, on the same date.
No pleas were entered at the hearing.
Because of the seriousness of the offences, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the Crown Court.
Bail was refused on the grounds that Jones was likely to offend, interfere with witnesses and fail to surrender to custody.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court, The Law Courts, St Helens Road, Swansea, for a plea and trial preparation hearing at 9:00am on Friday, March 13.
The custody time limit expires on August 10.
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