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Crime

Police officer in court today charged with sexual assault by penetration

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A DYFED-POWYS POLICE officer is appearing in Swansea Magistrates’ Court today (Mar 6) having been charged with the offence of sexual assault by penetration.

DC Sam Garside, based in the Ceredigion division, has been suspended from duties since July 2023 when it was reported that he had allegedly committed an offence while off duty in December 2021.

Senior investigating officer Huw Davies told this newspaper: “This is a serious allegation, and I recognise it will cause concern among our communities.

“I would like to give an assurance that swift action was taken when the allegation was made, and we now await the result of the criminal justice process.

“Legal proceedings are now underway, and it is important to avoid further commentary while this process takes place.”

In UK law, “sexual assault by penetration” is a criminal offense that falls under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. This offense involves intentionally penetrating the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person with a part of the body (such as a penis or finger) or with an object, without their consent.

Consent is a crucial element in such cases, and any sexual activity without clear and voluntary consent is considered a criminal act. The law recognises that individuals have the right to control their own bodies and engage in consensual sexual activities.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 categorizes various sexual offenses and establishes the legal framework for addressing such crimes.

The severity of penalties for sexual assault by penetration can vary depending on factors such as the degree of harm caused, the age of the victim, and any aggravating circumstances.

Legal consequences may include imprisonment, fines, and registration as a sex offender.

Reflecting on the news, Nathan Adams, criminal lawyer at Reeds Solicitors in Cardiff, comments: “Another day, another police officer in the dock and this time in Wales.  The public could be forgiven for drawing on the conclusion that forces across the UK are more corrupt than ever.

“However, I disagree.  Police forces in Wales, or across the UK more generally, are not more inherently dangerous than in times hone by. We are actually witnessing Professional Standards Departments within the various forces, come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, particularly after the recent well-publicised shortcomings and failures in the Sarah Everard case.

“Dyfed Powys Police Force will no doubt want to re-assure the public that they hold their officers to a higher standard of responsibility and ethics due to their position in Welsh society and by drawing attention to their efforts to remove any ‘bad apples’ risk alarming instead. There is a balance to be struck between this higher burden and the need to avoid a trial by media. All the facts and evidence must come to light, guaranteeing the absolute right to a fair trial by jury.”

Crime

Albanian man jailed after cannabis farm found in Pembroke

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AN ALBANIAN man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after police discovered a sophisticated cannabis farm in the former Lloyds Pharmacy on Main Street, Pembroke.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers raided the vacant property at 10:00am on Friday (Oct 18) and found 575 cannabis plants in advanced stages of growth across three rooms. The estimated yield of the plants could have produced between 15 and 45 kilograms of cannabis, valued at £170,000 to £500,000 on the street.

Inside the building, officers also discovered a makeshift living area with a bed and shower, indicating that the suspect, Amarildo Daja, had been residing there. Daja attempted to flee but retreated into the building, hiding in the ceiling when confronted by police. Officers assisted him down with a ladder before placing him under arrest.

The property’s electricity supply had been tampered with to avoid detection, and two mobile phones were found on-site—one damaged and the other wiped clean.

Daja, 27, admitted to police that he had been smuggled into the UK by a criminal gang to pay off a debt. He initially worked in London but agreed to tend the cannabis farm in Pembrokeshire three months prior to his arrest after struggling to make payments.

In court, his defense barrister, Caitlin Brazel, explained that Daja deeply regretted his actions, describing them as “out of character.” Daja, who has no fixed address, expressed a desire to serve his sentence and seek legal employment afterward.

Judge Geraint Walters noted that the case highlighted the need to target criminal organizations behind such operations. “If we want to tackle the issue of Albanian criminal gangs establishing cannabis factories, we must find the ringleaders,” he stated.

Daja will serve his sentence with the possibility of deportation upon release, subject to a Home Office decision.

(Main image: Martin Cavaney)

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Crime

Officers investigate Carmarthenshire post office burglary – Cash stolen

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DYFED-POWYS POLICe is investigating a burglary at a Carmarthenshire post office which took place on Tuesday (Nov 5) at around 6:30pm.

Detectives said that two suspects reportedly entered the Furnace Post Office, stealing the till drawer containing a quantity of cash.

After fleeing the scene, the pair were seen heading towards the Rugby Club and Ynys Y Cwm Road.

Police are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the suspects.

They are particularly keen to hear from residents near these areas who may have CCTV or doorbell camera footage.

Investigators are also seeking to identify the individual in CCTV images who could possess information vital to the investigation.

Anyone who recognises the person in the footage, or believes they might be pictured, is urged to get in touch via the following channels:

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Crime

Motorist jailed over death of popular Tenby taxi driver ‘Mukka’

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MOTORIST Mateusz Sikorski, 30, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 8) for causing death by dangerous driving.

Addressing the court, the judge HH Geraint Walters KC, said: “These cases are amongst the most difficult that courts have to deal with. This wasn’t a momentary crossing onto the other carriageway; you were travelling along there for at least half a mile.”

Sikorski had been staying with friends in Manorbier, Tenby, since June 2024, when the fatal incident occurred.

On September 2, CCTV captured Sikorski driving on the wrong side of the A4139 between Tenby and Penally. Christopher Boyle, 57, was travelling northbound on the same road in his taxi when the two collided head-on.

Mukka was a well known and well loved member of the local community (Image: Supplied)

Prosecutor Dean Pulling recounted Sikorski’s comments at the scene: “I think it may have been my fault, I think I was on the wrong side of the road.” Boyle was pronounced dead at 11:32 pm on September 2, having sustained multiple traumatic injuries.

A heartfelt family statement from Boyle’s sister was read in court, describing the devastating impact of his death: “The loss of Chris has been absolutely devastating. His death has left a profound void that can never be filled.

“He was a son, brother, father, and beloved member of our community. My father has had to endure the unimaginable by burying his own son. For Christopher’s children, they have lost a dad.

Tribute in the sand: Mukka is missed by many

“Chris was a much-loved character within the community. His loss has left a hole in the hearts of so many. All of this was caused by a moment of selfish and careless actions, and caused a lifetime of grief.”

In mitigation, James Hartson argued that Sikorski had accepted full responsibility for Boyle’s death and expressed genuine remorse.

Christopher Boyle, affectionately known as “Mukka” was a devoted father, son, brother, partner, and community figure, whose absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.

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