Crime
Woman gets payout after boss coughs in her face
Kevin Davies, the father of British Lions and Wales rugby star Gareth Davies, has been ordered to pay more than £26,000 to a female employee for deliberately coughing in her face during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A tribunal heard that Davies, 62, aimed to “ridicule and intimidate” the woman, who had expressed concerns over her health due to psoriatic arthritis and an autoimmune condition. The incident occurred in the days leading up to the first lockdown in March 2020 at Cawdor Cars, a business where Davies holds significant involvement.
The employment tribunal, presided over by Judge Tobias Vincent Ryan, heard that the woman had requested colleagues to maintain social distance, in line with official recommendations, due to her vulnerable health status. However, Davies mocked her concerns, intentionally coughing in her direction while commenting that she was “being ridiculous.”
The tribunal was informed that the woman, employed at Cawdor Cars between 2017 and 2020, was earning £11 per hour. In addition to car sales, Cawdor Cars has a property rental section where she worked as a property manager overseeing a portfolio including hotels and housing developments.
Judge Ryan condemned Davies’ actions as “gross behaviour,” noting that other members of the firm’s management team, who witnessed the incident, gave evidence that was perceived as defensive and not entirely straightforward. The woman vehemently complained about the incident and resigned from the business in Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion, less than three months later.
Judge Ryan stated, “She resigned at least in part because she was victimised; this was a major and significant factor in her decision. She felt that she was being eased out partly because of her complaints. She was correct.”
The tribunal awarded the woman £26,438.84 in total compensation. This includes £18,000 for injury to feelings, £3,841.94 for unfair dismissal, and £4,596.90 in accumulated interest. Cawdor Cars has been ordered to pay the bulk of the damages, with Davies personally liable for the remainder.
Following the hearing, the woman described the impact of Davies’ conduct on her mental health, stating, “I was left a nervous wreck. He knew of my medical condition and that I had no immune protection because of the medication I had to take, and he deliberately coughed in my face. I was shaking. I’m not a silly, fluffy person; I’ve had to put up with a lot in my life, but it really got me.”
This ruling highlights the seriousness with which the tribunal viewed the deliberate intimidation and ridicule of an employee during the pandemic, particularly one with known health vulnerabilities.
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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