Crime

Suspended jail sentence for obsessed stalker

Published

5 months ago

June 25, 2024

A MAN who sent a woman 80 Facebook messages over 14 days, before contacting her friends and family to try and find out where she lived has been handed a suspended sentence.

Jamie Norman, of Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to stalking a woman after a four-week long campaign of messaging her, her former partner, and friends.

The 39-year-old’s actions culminated in him knocking every door on an estate in a physical search for the victim, after he made his own report to police that her friends were ‘keeping her away’ from him.

Dyfed-Powys Police officer DC Gmerek explained that on May 28 the suspect was swiftly arrested due to the severity and concerning nature of his offending.

“This was quite an unusual investigation as the offender himself contacted police when he claimed the victim’s friends were preventing her from being in contact with him,” she said.

“This was followed by a second call later the same day, in which he said he had further information about the victim’s address, and that he was going to knock doors in the area until he found her.

“This was clearly concerning behaviour, however at that point we were not aware of the extent of his behaviour towards the victim.”

Force control room call handlers received a report of a man calling at houses in an estate in Haverfordwest during the early hours of May 28, just hours after the suspect had himself contacted police.

CCTV footage showed it was Norman.

As enquiries continued, it was established that along with sending 80 messages to the victim – the majority of which were sent over one day – he had contacted her friends to ask if he should ‘pursue’ her, and even told her mother he wanted to marry her.

“There was a large amount of evidence to consider, given the number of messages sent both to the victim and others,” DC Gmerek said.

“The evidence showed a high degree of obsession, including sexual elements and implicit threat, as well as the FOUR behaviours of stalking: Fixated, obsessed, unwanted and repeated.

“A charge for stalking involving serious alarm or distress was authorised.”

Norman admitted the offence and appeared in court on June 18th, where he was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, and complete a rehabilitation activity requirement.

DC Gmerek said: “Stalking and harassment can cause serious distress to victims, leaving them looking over their shoulder and questioning their safety.

“Norman’s victim expressed feelings of anxiety and fear, and felt compelled to change parts of her lifestyle as a result of his behaviour.

“It is a very brave step to take in reporting stalking behaviour to police, and I would like to commend the victim in this case for reaching out for support.”

Eliminating domestic abuse, stalking and harassment is one of Dyfed-Powys Police’s priorities, and officers are committed to supporting victims who come forward to report crimes.

If you need support for domestic abuse, stalking or harassment, please visit https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/advice/

Crime

Mother admits to killing seven-year-old son in Haverfordwest

Published

11 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Luke Sinclair

A mother has admitted to the manslaughter of her seven-year-old son at their home in Haverfordwest, citing diminished responsibility.

Papaipit Linse, 43, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 22), where she denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her son, Louis Linse. Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC confirmed the manslaughter plea would be accepted, stating it “did not come as a surprise” to the prosecution.

The incident occurred on 10 January when police were called to a property on Upper Market Street. Louis was rushed to Withybush General Hospital but tragically died shortly afterwards.

During the hearing, Linse, who spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas, was informed that she would be sentenced on 13 December. Judge Paul Thomas KC described the case as “clearly a very sensitive as well as a very tragic case.”

The court was told that Linse is currently receiving treatment at the Caswell Clinic, a mental health facility in Bridgend. Psychiatric evidence is expected to be presented during the sentencing hearing to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.