Crime

Former teacher sentenced for assaulting child in Ysgol Caer Elen’s playground

Published

6 months ago

June 25, 2024

A FORMER Ysgol Caer Elen teacher has appeared before magistrates for sentence after admitting assaulting a ten-year-old child in the school playground.

The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was seen running away from Samuel Jones on the morning of November 14 as he played with his friends on the school playground.

In a police statement given by one of the school’s pastoral behaviour support officers, she described the child as being ‘cheeky’.

“He was being cheeky to Mr Jones, who kept telling him to stop being silly and to give the ball back,” she said.

“The boy had kicked the girls’ ball over the fence and he was refusing to give it back. He kept saying ‘No’.

“Mr Jones kept telling him to give back the ball and shouted at him, but [the child] kept refusing.

“It had turned into a cat and mouse chase and [the child] was laughing and smirking and trying to dodge Mr Jones as he tried to stop him.”

As the child attempted to run past Samuel Jones, who have his address as Hayston View, Johnston the 40-year-old reached out and grabbed him by the back of his jumper.

“He had it around the shoulders and mid sleeves, and the child was bent forwards as he’d been running. But then he got loose and ran off again.”

The child ran towards a group of boys, and once again Mr Jones reached out to grab him.

“By now the boys were all calling him names, saying he was a child abuser and a paedo,” the pastoral behaviour support officer said in her statement.

“The child was also seen rubbing his jumper back and forth across the back of his neck. I don’t know if the mark on his neck was a result of this, or was simply made worse by the way he kept rubbing his jumper”

Mr Jones then left the playground and when he returned, the boys began calling him names.

“One of the boys was heard calling him a fat c***,” the support officer said in her statement.

Jones, 40, of Hayston View, Johnston pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.

He was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“This is the difficulty that a teacher or a learning assistant has these days,” he said. “When a child is being cheeky, rude or refusing to do what he is being asked to do, an adult should avoid touching the pupil.

“My client is mortified at what occurred and has since resigned from the teaching profession -so we’ve lost a teacher.

“The children were heard saying ‘We’ll make sure you’ll be in trouble for this’, and unfortunately this is what’s happened.”

After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Jones £400 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £160 surcharge.

No compensation order was made against the victim.

“We have considered it, but we don’t deem compensation appropriate,” commented the presiding magistrate when passing sentence.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

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

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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: