Crime
Father sentenced for ‘wilful refusal’ of £4,500 child maintenance payments
A ST CLEARS father has appeared before magistrates after ‘wilfully refusing’ to pay over £4,500 in child maintenance payments.
The 29-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was ordered to pay a total of £5,957.32 by a child maintenance order imposed by Cardiff Magistrates court, with payment scheduled to be completed by February 20, 2021.
But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that payments amounting to just £1,379.76 were made by the defendant.
“£4,577.56 is still outstanding and the defendant has demonstrated a willful neglect in his refusal in paying,” commented a spokesperson for the Child Support Agency.
“He was told that the matter would go to court if his repayments weren’t addressed, but he failed to respond to the caution, and no information for this was provided.”
The Child Support Agency went on to state that analysis of the defendant’s personal accounts confirmed that between May and November 2022, a total of £11,917.15 was held in one account while an additional £8,178.33 was in another.
“A final warning was sent to him about our intention to go to court, but again he did not respond,” added the CSA spokesperson.
As a result of his non-payment, the defendant was this week sentenced to six weeks in prison. The custodial sentence was postponed on condition he pays £20 a week towards the child maintenance order repayments.
“There has been wilful refusal and culpable neglect, with the result that only committal to prison is appropriate,” commented the presiding magistrates, Mary Smith.
But Ms Smith postponed his custodial sentence on condition that he makes weekly payments of £20 together with £41 costs to the CSA.
Crime
Haverfordwest man accused of racially aggravated harassment
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been accused of racially aggravated harassment against a Haverfordwest town councillor.
Lee Woodmass, 48, of Hywel Road, Haverfordwest, is alleged to have harassed Councillor Randell Turner-Thomas, who represents the Castle ward, during an incident in the town centre on August 6 last year.
Woodmass is accused of intentionally causing alarm or distress to Cllr Turner-Thomas during an altercation.
Woodmass previously appeared before a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where he denied the charge. He elected a Crown Court trial, and proceedings commenced on November 29.
The defendant later pleaded guilty to the offence on a basis, but this was not accepted by the prosecution.
A Newton Hearing will take place at Swansea Crown Court on January 2 to determine the facts of the case.
Crime
Youths failed to stop, then crashed into Milford Haven home
POLICE in Milford Haven have arrested two male youths following a fail-to-stop incident that ended with their car crashing into a residential property on Hamilton Terrace.
The incident occurred at 10:50pm on Friday (Dec 27). According to officers, a black Mercedes failed to stop on North Road before speeding along The Rath and turning back onto Hamilton Terrace. As the car continued down the road, it was met by a second police vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
In an attempt to avoid the oncoming police car and another pursuing from behind, the vehicle tried to drive up Francis Street against the one-way system. However, it failed to make the turn and crashed into a residential property.
The occupants then fled on foot, with one officer pursuing on foot and another driving against the one-way system towards The Trafalgar Public House.
The property sustained damage to a wall, and the vehicle was left undrivable and is now being recovered. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
The police were seen searching the crashed vehicle, and took several paper bags full of potential evidence from the scene.
Crime
Motorist, 27, bailed after fatal Carmarthenshire hit-and-run collision
OFFICERS are continuing to investigate a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Llanpumsaint on Monday (December 23), which claimed the life of 38-year-old Aaron Jones.
A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for a collision, and failing to report a collision. He has since been released on bail with conditions while serious collision investigation and CSI teams continue their enquiries.
The collision happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm while Aaron was walking his dog. Police believe the vehicle involved was travelling northbound through the village at the time.
Specially trained officers continue to support Aaron’s family, who have requested privacy during this difficult time.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Our investigation into this tragic incident remains ongoing, and we are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have dashcam footage, CCTV, or doorbell camera recordings from the area around the time of the collision to come forward.”
The road has since reopened, but police presence in the area remains while enquiries continue.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police using the details provided in the comments.
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