Crime
Pensioner jailed for assault on young girl in Pembrokeshire
A 73-YEAR-OLD pensioner has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for sexually assaulting a young girl in Pembrokeshire.
Leslie Donald Clarkson, now residing in Heol Newydd, Penlan, Swansea, admitted to two counts of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.
The Swansea Crown Court was told how Clarkson, who then living in Pembrokeshire, approached the victim, put his hands on her legs, and expressed a desire to see her breasts. The young girl, who was under the age of 13 during the incident, “froze and didn’t know what to do,” according to prosecution barrister Dean Pulling. Clarkson then proceeded to put his arms around her, kissed her neck, and instructed her not to tell anyone, including her friends.
The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, later confided in her parents, leading to an investigation. In a statement read out in court, she described the lasting impact of the assault, stating, “There are times when I just cry about what happened,” and detailing her struggles with anxiety and disrupted sleep since the incident.
Defence barrister Stuart John highlighted Clarkson’s remorse and noted his “exemplary manner” during the investigation. John also mentioned that Clarkson, married for 50 years, now leads a solitary life following the revelation of his crimes.
Judge Huw Rees, addressing Clarkson, emphasised the severity of the offences. “The seriousness of this offending cannot be lost on you and is not lost on you. You are obviously contrite if not devastated by what you have done; you have already suffered the consequences,” Judge Rees stated. He concluded that only immediate imprisonment was appropriate, sentencing Clarkson to 16 months, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.
Additionally, Clarkson is required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for 10 years. A restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim for the same duration was also imposed by the judge.
Crime
Police appeal after alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen
OFFICERS investigating an alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen are appealing for the public’s help to identify a person who may have information.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened in front of F.Hinds jewellers on Lammas Street at around 4pm on Tuesday, May 12.
Investigating officers have carried out a number of enquiries and are now asking for assistance in identifying the person pictured.
Police stressed that the person may have information that could help the investigation.
Anyone who is the person pictured, or who knows who they are, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
Quote reference: 26000377639
Crime
Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van
A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.
The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.
Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.
This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.
“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.
“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.
“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”
Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.
“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.
“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”
Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.
He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.
Crime
Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven
Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system
A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.
Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.
“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.
Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.
He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.
“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.
After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.
She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
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