Crime

Man sentenced for disturbing domestic abuse against his mother

Published

4 months ago

July 19, 2024

IN a harrowing case heard at Swansea Crown Court, Silviu Grigore, 35, has been sentenced for a series of disturbing offences against his 66-year-old mother, including threats to kill, assault, and extreme inappropriate behaviour.

The court heard that Grigore, who is unemployed, had made his mother’s life unbearable, subjecting her to relentless verbal abuse, demands for money, and physical threats. This sustained pattern of abuse culminated in an incident on May 17th, where Grigore’s actions escalated to a terrifying degree.

Grigore, originally from Romania, moved to the UK with his mother in 2021, settling in Llanybydder. Despite their shared history, his behaviour towards her became increasingly hostile. The court was told that Grigore frequently shouted and swore at his mother, calling her derogatory names, spitting at her, and blaming her for his unemployment.

One particularly shocking aspect of the case was revealed when it was stated that Grigore had exposed himself to his mother on multiple occasions. On one such occasion, he inserted a plastic bottle into his rectum in her presence, a deeply distressing experience for the victim.

The events of May 17th began when Grigore’s mother returned from work and went to bed, only for Grigore to burst into her room, making accusations and demanding money for alcohol. Despite her attempts to escape, the abuse continued later that evening after they bought a pizza together. Grigore’s behaviour became increasingly erratic and aggressive after consuming beer.

The court heard that he shouted, screamed, and spat at his mother, making repeated threats to kill her. In fear for her life, she sought refuge in a garden shed but was eventually persuaded to come back inside. Grigore then physically assaulted her, grabbing her clothing and shaking her while continuing his threats.

Terrified, his mother fled to a nearby supermarket and contacted the police. Although Grigore initially denied the offences, he changed his plea to guilty when the case reached the crown court.

During the sentencing, the court heard of the profound impact on the victim. She described feeling low, frightened, and unable to find peace, suffering from loss of sleep, stress, and isolation from friends and family.

In his defence, it was noted that Grigore had faced significant challenges in his early life, including the loss of his father at a young age, which forced him into an adult role prematurely. His defence argued that his emotional and educational development had been stunted as a result. Additionally, Grigore’s actions were attributed to a ‘clear lapse’ in his mental health, exacerbated by alcohol abuse, for which he expressed remorse.

Grigore’s criminal record includes eight previous convictions for 12 offences, including battery, and he was under a court order at the time of the May 17th offences.

Judge Mr Recorder G Bull KC condemned the aggravated nature of the offences, noting their occurrence in a domestic setting, the history of abuse, and the breach of a community order. Grigore was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the threats to kill, with a concurrent four-month sentence for the assault. He will serve half of this time in prison and the remainder on licence.

Additionally, a five-year restraining order was imposed, prohibiting Grigore from contacting his mother in any manner.

Crime

Burglar jailed for stealing cars worth £90,000 from Sinclair Garage

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BRIAN DAVIS, 53, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to three counts of non-dwelling burglary at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that Davis and an accomplice targeted Sinclair Garages in Neyland during the early hours of April 2 last year, stealing four vehicles: a Mercedes CLA, an Audi A1, an Audi Q3, and a Volkswagen Tiguan worth around £90,000 in total.

Sentencing Davis, Judge Paul Thomas KC said the crimes were too severe for a suspended sentence and noted little hope of rehabilitation. “These offences display planning and determination,” the judge remarked.

The burglars forced entry into the garage, using a crowbar to access a key storage board. Nine sets of keys were stolen, allowing them to take multiple vehicles. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy told the court: “The men left with two cars initially, returned 14 minutes later to steal a third, and returned again for a fourth.”

The stolen cars were valued at approximately £90,000. Three vehicles – the Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi A1, and Audi Q3 – were recovered the following day. However, the Mercedes CLA, worth £12,382, was only located in January this year. Damages included £5,541 to replace locks on several vehicles.

Police traced Davis through partial fingerprints found on a glove left in one of the stolen cars. He was arrested after surrendering at Haverfordwest Police Station on August 14.

Struggles with addiction

The court heard Davis had left Pembrokeshire in December, breaching post-sentence supervision for an unrelated offence, to stay with family in Glasgow and recover from drug addiction. Stuart John, defending, explained: “The defendant struggled with heroin addiction from a young age. Family bereavements caused a relapse.”

Mr John noted that Davis had been clean when he returned to Pembrokeshire and voluntarily handed himself in. While in custody, Davis completed courses and attended counselling, demonstrating awareness of the consequences of further drug use.

Recovered vehicles

Volkswagen Tiguan: £36,577
Audi Q3: £26,041
Audi A1: £15,000
Mercedes CLA: £12,382

Police praised the recovery efforts, but the incident has left a costly mark on Sinclair Garages, with damages to vehicles and security.

Crime

Man jailed for growing £500,000 worth of drugs in Pembroke

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2024

Court Reporter

A MAN has been jailed after police uncovered a cannabis farm worth up to £500,000 at a former Lloyds Pharmacy in Pembroke.

Amarildo Daja, 27, was arrested during a raid at the vacant Main Street property at around 10:00am on Friday, October 18. Inside, officers found 575 cannabis plants spread across three rooms on the first floor. Daja pleaded guilty to being involved in the production of cannabis and was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Judge Geraint Walters.

***Caged: Amarildo Daja was sentenced to 12 months. (Image: Police)***

RAID AND ARREST

Swansea Crown Court heard that Daja initially tried to flee when officers arrived but returned inside and hid in the ceiling. After being coaxed down with a ladder, he was arrested. Prosecutor Harry Dickens said Daja had been living at the property to tend to the cannabis plants, and the building’s electricity supply had been tampered with to avoid detection.

Two mobile phones were seized at the scene, but one had been wiped, and the other was damaged.

PLANTS AND STREET VALUE

A drugs expert estimated that the plants could produce between 15 and 45 kilograms of cannabis, with a potential street value ranging from £170,000 to over £500,000.

In police interviews, Daja admitted paying a criminal gang to smuggle him into the UK via lorry. He initially worked in London to repay his debt but struggled to make enough money and agreed to work at the Pembroke cannabis farm three months before his arrest.

DEFENCE AND SENTENCING

Caitlin Brazel, defending, said Daja’s involvement in the operation was a mistake and out of character. “He is disheartened to have tarnished his good character,” she said, adding that he was realistic about receiving a custodial sentence.

Judge Walters expressed concerns about the broader issue of criminal gangs operating cannabis farms, stating: “If we want to bring down the Albanian criminal gangs that set up cannabis factories, we are going to have to find the ringleaders rather than just those who arrive on the back of a lorry.”

The judge also noted that Daja’s deportation upon release would be a matter for the Home Office.

***Grow busted: Building was Lloyds Pharmacy, Pembroke. (Image: Martin Cavaney/Herald)***

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.