Crime
Guilty pleas after cannabis plants worth £2m found at former school
TWO men have pleaded guilty to drugs charges after cannabis plants worth up to £2 million were found in a former school in Llandysul.
Dyfed-Powys Police officers carried out a stop check on a car travelling through Carmarthenshire on Friday, July 4, in which five suitcases of cannabis were found.
Two men were arrested, and enquiries established the pair had travelled from London to Ceredigion, where they stopped for a short while before leaving.
Further information led to a warrant being carried out at a former school building on Marble Terrace, where around 1,500 cannabis plants were discovered in various stages of growth across two floors.
The sophisticated set-up also included a number of CCTV cameras installed around the building.
The total street value of the cannabis bud and plants seized would have been up to £1,960,000.
Alfred Perkola, aged 43 from Ealing in London, and Adli Gjegjaj, aged 25 of Salford, were charged with being concerned in the production of cannabis, with Perkola also charged with possession with intent to supply.
Both men admitted the offences when they appeared at court on Saturday.
Detective Chief Inspector Rich Lewis said: “This was a very successful operation, which saw excellent joint working not only between a number of departments within Dyfed-Powys Police, but also with other forces.
“We are committed to making our force area hostile to those who deal illegal drugs, and our work over the weekend has seen a significant amount of cannabis taken out of the supply chain.
“The strength of evidence against the suspects led to early guilty pleas, and we now await their sentencing.”
Crime
Pembrokeshire magistrates fine 27 for dropping fag butts
In a recent session at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, 27 individuals were fined for littering offences committed across Pembrokeshire.
The offenders, who were all found guilty in their absence, were charged with dropping cigarette ends in various public places.
The cases, brought forward by Pembrokeshire County Council, highlight a range of offences where individuals carelessly discarded cigarette butts in public areas, including train stations, hospitals, and retail parks. Despite not attending court, the cases were proven in their absence, leading to fines and additional costs.
Each defendant was fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £88 to fund victim services, and incurred prosecution costs of £150. This brings the total amount each defendant must pay to £458. In one case, a defendant who pleaded guilty was fined a reduced amount of £40 with an additional £16 surcharge and £20 in costs, resulting in a total of £76.
Here are the details of those fined:
- Gareth Bailey, 42, of Elm Lane, Milford Haven
- Daniel Cook, 29, of The Avenue, Pontygwaith, Ferndale
- Peter Cullen, 33, of Maes Y Llan, Llandeloy, Haverfordwest
- Nathan Edmundson, 32, of Rectory Avenue, Hakin, Milford Haven
- Paul Evans, 38, of Fernhill Road, Haverfordwest
- Alana Francis, 22, of Augustine Way, Haverfordwest
- Jonathan Gammon, 51, of Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock
- Jack Hall, 26, of Ramsey Court, Siskin Close, Haverfordwest
- Phil Horsely, 55, of Dew Street, Haverfordwest
- Richard Hughes, 62, of Brodawel, Solva
- Luke Hutton, 34, of Prestacott, Beaworthy, Devon
- Gavin James, 44, of Vicary Crescent, Milford Haven
- Michael James, 36, of Heol Glyndwr, Fishguard
- Maria Koleva, 38, of Nantyffin, Llandissilio, Clynderwen
- Jacob Lloyd, 28, of Maes Ewan, Solva
- Fiona Mackenzie, 56, of Bell Tower Close, Walsall, Birmingham
- Darren Richard Markes, 46, of Dark Street, Haverfordwest
- Tanya Roberts, 48, of College Court, Haverfordwest
- Brad Saunders, 31, of Rolle Street, Barnstaple, Devon
- John Simon, 35, of Curlew Close, Haverfordwest
- Garry Sims, 63, of Market Street, Haverfordwest
- Bavaen Stan, 28, of Maesmelyn Street, Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire
- Ivan Stefanov, 40, of Nantyffin Motel, Llandissilio, Clynderwen
- Simon Fleet, 50, of Hill Street, Haverfordwest
- Jamie Harding, 36, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, Milford Haven
- John Hooper, 59, of Springfield Close, Neyland, Milford Haven
- Carl Hopkins, 61, of Fredrick Street, Neyland, Pembrokeshire
In total, the 27 defendants are expected to pay £12,366 in fines and costs. The fines and charges are part of ongoing efforts by Pembrokeshire County Council to maintain cleanliness in public areas and discourage littering. Collection orders have been made for all the fines, ensuring that the penalties are enforced.
Crime
Milford Haven man fined for breaching Community Protection Notice
A MILFORD HAVEN resident, Gavin James, aged 44, has been found guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for failing to comply with a community protection notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.
James, who resides at 18 Vicary Crescent, Milford Haven, had been served with the notice on 25th April 2024, requiring him to remove accumulated refuse and household waste from his property. However, he failed to adhere to the terms of the notice, leading to legal action.
The court, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, found the case against James proved in his absence on 25th July 2024. As a result, he has been issued a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) aimed at preventing further disturbances. The CBO mandates that Mr. James must not cause or allow any activity likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to the local community due to the waste accumulation at his property.
Additionally, James has been fined £300 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120. He is also liable for legal costs amounting to £2,759.95, bringing the total financial penalty to £3,179.95.
This case follows a previous incident involving James, where he faced similar accusations related to the neglect of his property. Despite repeated warnings and legal interventions, it appears that the issues have persisted, causing significant concern among his neighbours.
Local authorities have stressed the importance of complying with community protection notices to maintain the safety and well-being of residents.
The order against James will remain in effect until further notice, with designated officers overseeing compliance.
Crime
Pembroke Dock man sentenced to four years for drug dealing
A PEMBROKE DOCK man with an extensive criminal record has been sentenced to four years in prison after being caught dealing drugs to support his own addiction. Christopher Brockway, 44, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Aug 22) where he was handed his sentence following a last-minute change of plea from not guilty to guilty.
The court heard that Brockway was apprehended by police in Haverfordwest on Sunday, February 11, after stealing items worth £500. At approximately 1:30pm, officers stopped a white Vauxhall being driven by Brockway. It was discovered that Brockway was uninsured and had been driving without a valid licence, which had been revoked since 2022. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a blue plastic bag containing 7.84 grams of a white powder, which Brockway claimed was bicarbonate of soda. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
Later that evening, at 5:40pm, police attended Brockway’s home in Pembroke Dock, where they encountered what was described as one of the worst living conditions an officer had seen in 26 years of service. The property was littered with syringes, burnt tin foil, and food debris. A further search uncovered 18.5 grams of heroin, 17 grams of cannabis, silver weighing scales, and £2,260 in cash.
In court, Brockway admitted to purchasing the heroin the day before his arrest, insisting it was for personal use. He claimed the £2,260 found in his home was savings for his daughter’s birthday, and that the scales were used to ensure he wasn’t being overcharged when buying drugs. It was also revealed that Brockway had 71 previous convictions, many related to his 20-year struggle with drug addiction.
Initially, Brockway had pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing diamorphine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property. However, on the day his trial was set to begin, he changed his plea to guilty for the charge of possession with intent to supply. The prosecution accepted this plea, and the charge of possessing criminal property was dropped.
His Honour Judge Geraint Walters, in passing sentence, acknowledged Brockway’s long-standing battle with addiction but stressed the seriousness of his offences. Brockway was sentenced to four years in prison. The court heard that Brockway hopes to use his time in custody to overcome his addiction and turn his life around.
Brockway’s case highlights the ongoing issues of drug addiction and related criminal activity in the region, with the judge expressing hope that this sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in similar offences.
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