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Crime

Pembroke Dock man sentenced to four years for drug dealing

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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 It was discovered that Brockway was uninsured and had been driving without a valid licence, which had been revoked since 2022.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.

Crime

Sex offender had with hidden phone containing indecent child images

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A CONVICTED sex offender has been caught with a secret mobile phone containing indecent images of children, in addition to breaching a court order by using and deleting Snapchat.

Euwyn Draper, 21, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, in April for offences involving the making and distribution of indecent images of children. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The SHPO prohibited Draper from possessing any internet-enabled devices not registered with the police, deleting any internet history or applications, and from holding social media accounts under false names. However, Draper was found to have violated several of these conditions.

According to prosecutor Emily Bennett, Draper informed police that he owned only an Xbox and a mobile phone with internet access. He was instructed to delete a second Instagram account, which he had registered under an anonymous name, and his Snapchat account due to concerns about the app’s ability to delete messages.

Between May 5 and July 10, e-safe software monitoring Draper’s registered phone flagged multiple instances where the Snapchat logo appeared on the device’s status bar. Investigators determined that Draper had used the app on at least two occasions, breaching the terms of his SHPO.

When Draper was asked to attend the police station, officers noted that he had deliberately taken a longer route. Upon questioning, he admitted that this was to allow himself time to delete Snapchat from his phone.

During a visit to his home, officers discovered a phone charger under Draper’s pillow, leading them to find a second mobile phone, hidden from the authorities. The accounts on this device matched those on his registered phone.

Draper claimed this second phone was old and that he had forgotten about it, asserting that he did not believe it was still functional. However, investigators found that across his devices, there were seven Category A images, three Category B images, and one Category C image – all created in November and December of the previous year, prior to the imposition of his SHPO.

Draper, who has one previous conviction for six offences, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and four counts of making indecent images of children.

In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths acknowledged that Draper had an “unhealthy interest and compulsion” to view the illegal material. He argued that as the breaches had occurred so soon after Draper’s initial sentencing, there had not yet been adequate time for rehabilitation efforts to prevent further offending.

“The support he so desperately needs is not going to be offered to him while he is in prison,” Mr Griffiths added.

The court was informed that Draper had spent the last two months in custody and had been evicted from his home as a result.

Judge Paul Thomas KC adjourned sentencing in order to establish whether Draper would have a place to live in the community upon his release, acknowledging that prison time was a possibility.

“He could not complain if he got 16 months in prison,” the judge remarked. “However, I take your point that, in the long term, it is in everyone’s best interest that he gets over this addiction.”

Draper, previously of Goat Street, Haverfordwest, was remanded back into custody and is due to return to court for sentencing on September 26.

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Crime

Man arrested following violent Incident in Pembroke Dock

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A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of assault following a violent incident in the Wesley Court and Bush Street area of Pembroke Dock on Tuesday, 10th September 2024. Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that the man was detained as part of their ongoing investigation into the altercation, which reportedly left eight people assaulted, though none required hospital treatment.

The police were called to the scene on Tuesday evening after reports of a disturbance. It is understood that a knife may have been involved, though authorities have emphasised that no serious injuries were sustained. The nature of the injuries remains unclear, but police have reassured the public that no one was taken to hospital.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, a large-scale search operation was launched, with uniformed and plainclothes officers concentrating their efforts around the Bramble Hall Farm area on Ferry Lane. Local residents reported a significant police presence as officers scoured fields and nearby residential areas in an attempt to locate the suspect.

Despite the swift and extensive deployment of resources, the suspect initially evaded capture, sparking concern in the community. However, the arrest of a man earlier today brings the investigation one step closer to resolution. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and the individual’s involvement.

Dyfed-Powys Police have urged anyone with information that could assist with their enquiries to come forward. They are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant details to contact them online, via email, or by calling 101. Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals can use the text service at 07811 311 908. The police have asked the public to quote reference number DP-20240910-289 when providing information.

For those wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers is also available to take information confidentially via their website or by phone at 0800 555111.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man accused of creating indecent images of children

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A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been charged with creating eleven indecent images of children, including seven in the most serious category.

Euwyn Draper appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Sept 9), where he faced charges relating to the production of the illicit material.

Draper, of Goat Street, Haverfordwest, stands accused of making three category B indecent images of a child, one category C image, and seven category A images, the latter being the most severe in terms of content.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on two separate occasions, on 9th November and 26th December of last year, all within Haverfordwest.

During his court appearance, Draper indicated that he intends to plead guilty to all four charges. The magistrates subsequently remanded him in custody ahead of a scheduled hearing at Swansea Crown Court later this month.

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