Crime

Pembrokeshire crime victims urged to share experiences of court delays

Published

3 months ago

September 11, 2024

VICTIMS of crime in Pembrokeshire and across England and Wales are being urged to share their experiences of lengthy court delays, as a survey from the Victims’ Commissioner is set to close on Thursday, 12 September. The survey, launched by Baroness Newlove, aims to collect views on how delays in the criminal justice system are affecting victims and the support they receive during these prolonged waits.

Court backlogs have reached unprecedented levels, with figures from the Ministry of Justice showing the Crown Court currently grappling with 67,573 outstanding cases, 16,031 of which have been unresolved for over a year. The survey follows concerns that these delays are contributing to victims withdrawing from the justice process, particularly in cases involving adult rape, where nearly two-thirds of investigations were closed due to victims pulling out.

Baroness Newlove is calling on victims whose cases resulted in criminal charges to complete the anonymous five-minute survey before it closes. Available in both English and Welsh, the survey seeks to shed light on how delays are impacting victims’ mental health and access to justice, with findings set to inform future recommendations to government and criminal justice agencies.

Speaking on the urgency of the issue, the Victims’ Commissioner stated, “No one should be expected to wait years for their case to reach court. Justice is not being delivered in a timely or effective way, and victims are paying the price. With a record backlog in our Crown Courts, the justice system is under immense strain, and we cannot ignore the impact this is having on victims.”

Baroness Newlove continued, “I often hear from victims stuck in limbo, anxiously awaiting their day in court. One victim questioned whether a system that inflicts such delays can truly claim to be delivering justice. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a wider systemic issue, causing real distress.”

Data reveals that at the end of December 2023, over a quarter of all cases (27%) were postponed on the day of the trial, further compounding victims’ frustrations. With Crown Court delays at a record high, Baroness Newlove hopes the survey will help pinpoint how these issues are affecting victims and what steps can be taken to reduce the strain on the system.

The findings from the survey will contribute to a forthcoming report aimed at easing the burden on victims and improving the overall efficiency of the criminal justice process. Victims across Pembrokeshire and beyond whose cases were charged by the Crown Prosecution Service are encouraged to participate, regardless of when their case took place or if it remains ongoing.

To access the regional breakdown of court delays and complete the survey, visit the Victims’ Commissioner’s website.

The survey closes tomorrow, and victims are being urged to take this final opportunity to voice their concerns and influence future changes aimed at restoring fairness and support to the justice process.

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: