Crime
Milton man jailed for driving whilst disqualified
A 32-YEAR-OLD man from Milton, Tenby, has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison after being convicted of driving while disqualified. The case was heard at Carmarthenshire Magistrates’ Court on August 16, 2024.
Martin Ferrier, of Summers Villas, Milton, was stopped by police on August 15 while driving a vehicle with the registration CV70 XKW in Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest.
It was discovered that Ferrier was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence.
The court was informed that Ferrier has a history of similar offences, which was a significant factor in the decision to impose a custodial sentence.
The presiding magistrate noted that the offence was aggravated by Ferrier’s record, making it a Category A1 offence. Consequently, Ferrier was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.
In addition to the prison sentence, Ferrier has been ordered to pay a £154 surcharge to fund victim services and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Furthermore, he has been disqualified from driving for a period of 57 months and 63 days, with his driving record endorsed accordingly.
Ferrier, who was represented by solicitor Steve John from Donoghues, entered a guilty plea during the hearing. The court took this into account when determining the sentence.
Ferrier’s driving disqualification includes an extension of 63 days, reflecting the immediate custodial sentence imposed by the court. He must pay all fines by August 30, 2024, as part of the collection order made by the court.
Crime
Haverfordwest man given restraining order for stalking ex
A HAVERFORDWEST man who had difficulty coming to terms with the end of his marriage has appeared before magistrates where he pleaded guilty to stalking his former wife.
Terry Mochan and his wife, Carol, separated in January 2024, but three months later, Ms Mochan found herself being harassed and intimidated by her former husband.
The first incident took place on April 13 when Mochan, 25, of St Issells Avenue, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, raised his middle finger at his wife in a public place, and shouted at her.
Three days later Mrs Mochan noticed that her ex-husband was following her through Haverfordwest town centre.
“He was driving very closely behind her in his van,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates this week.
In a victim impact statement that was read to the court, Mrs Mochan said both incidents have had a profound effect on her self-confidence.
“She’s now concerned, whenever she’s driving through town, that the defendant will be following her,” said Ms Vaughan. “It’s having an impact on her life and she’s concerned that he’ll attend her property.”
Mr Mochan was represented by solicitor Mr Gavin Rofer who said the defendant has no previous convictions.
“Both incidents were the result of the breakdown of their marriage,” he said. “But since April 16 there have been no further incidents.”
After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Mochan £180 and ordered him to pay £325 court costs and a £72 surcharge. A 12 month restraining order was imposed, preventing him from having any contact with Carol Mochan.
Crime
Hostel resident brandished knife after seizure fears ignored
WHEN hostel resident Andrew Finan feared he was suffering a seizure, he attempted to contact the hostel’s support worker for help.
But when she failed to answer his calls, Finan walked up to the hostel’s CCTV camera, shouting angrily and brandishing a large kitchen knife.
“He’s been at the hostel since August, but he’s hard work,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“He has various mental health issues and the staff have difficulty controlling him.”
Incident captured on CCTV
The incident took place in the early hours of December 22 at the Furnace Bank Hostel, Carmarthen.
“The CCTV covers the hostel, and the defendant was shouting angrily directly at the camera and holding a large kitchen knife in his hand,” said Ms Vaughan.
The support worker on duty at the time heard Finan shouting, “I’m sick of you, you b*******,” before turning away and going upstairs to his room.
Support worker left shaken
“I found the incident scary,” the support worker said in a victim impact statement. “His behaviour is erratic and unpredictable, and he scares me. I don’t know what to expect from him from day to day. Waving the knife around and directing it at me was extremely worrying.”
Defence cites frustration
But Finan’s solicitor, Fenn Richards, said his actions were the result of frustration at being ignored by staff.
“He believed he was going to have a seizure, as he’s had five brain bleeds in the past as a result of an assault,” she said.
“He tried to get the staff’s attention, but they didn’t answer the door, and the only way he could get their attention was to stand in front of the camera.”
Sentencing next month
Finan pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. Sentencing was adjourned to January 14 to allow a probation report to be prepared. Finan was released on conditional bail, with conditions including reporting twice a week to Carmarthen police station, not visiting the Furnace Bank Hostel, and having no contact with the support worker.
Crime
Local troublemaker back in prison 24 hours after release for Christmas
TWENTY-FOUR hours after being released from prison, a Pembrokeshire man found himself back behind bars for Christmas.
Mark Ion, 53, was sent back to HM Parc Prison, Bridgend, this week after breaching a protection order against his victim and spitting and making head-butting gestures towards two police officers.
Ion was arrested on December 20, just one day after his release from Parc Prison.
A protection order, imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates on December 10, prevented him from having any direct or indirect contact with a female victim living in Haverfordwest. However, on December 20, Ion was found at her property.
When police arrived, Ion, of Colley Court, Monkton, became verbally abusive and assaulted two officers. He spat at one officer—making no contact—and made a head-butting gesture towards another. Officers also discovered he was in possession of 3.5 grams of amphetamine and 1.5 grams of cannabis.
Ion appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week via video link from Parc Prison. He pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of Class B drugs, two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, breaching an interim stalking order, and failing to comply with a post-sentence supervision order. The failure involved being verbally abusive to a probation officer while highly intoxicated shortly after his release.
His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told the court that despite Ion’s behaviour on December 20, he had displayed no violence towards the police officers or the female victim.
“He has significant mental health and substance misuse issues that he’s struggled with for many years,” said Mr Lloyd. “He’s schizophrenic and relies on heavy medication, but after his release, he consumed alcohol immediately, feeling excited about his freedom.
“He made a serious error of judgement.”
Ion was sentenced to 13 weeks in custody and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £154 court surcharge.
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