Crime

Court orders destruction of illegal fighting dog after owner fined

Published

4 months ago

September 4, 2024

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared before magistrates after being found to be in possession of a prohibited fighting dog.

On April 3, officers attended a property in Haverfordwest, following concerns that an XL Bully was being kept there, which is a breed prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

There they discovered Leon Jones, 26, together with a dog which they suspected of being an XL Bully. The dog was removed from the premises for a formal examination to be carried out, and this concluded that it was indeed a fighting dog and an XL Bully.

This week Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates that in January of this year, the same dog had bitten a young child, which had resulted in an injury. However Ms Jackson gave no details of the extent of the injury, nor its nature.

The Crown made an application for a destruction order to be made for the dog, plus compensation to cover the cost of kennelling since its discovery in April. This totalled £3,825.

However Jones’ solicitor, Katy Hanson, claimed the defendant always ensured that the dog was muzzled when it was taken outside, and was always walked on a lead. She said the defendant had also made an application to register the dog.

“His partner had made the application but there was some confusion,” she said.

“By the time he was notified, the date for registration had passed.”

Jones, of Fleming Crescent, Haverfordwert, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a fighting dog.

After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Jones £120 and ordered him to pay £200 towards the kennelling costs, £85 prosecution costs and a £48 court surcharge.

Magistrates also ordered a destruction order on the dog, however if it is legally registered within 60 days, the dog will be allowed to survive.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: