Crime

London man caught shoplifting receives conditional discharge

Published

3 months ago

September 12, 2024

A MAN who travelled from London to west Wales has been found with thousands of pounds worth of suspected stolen goods after being stopped in a supermarket car park.

Giorgi Khvedelidze, 47, was apprehended by police in the car park of Lidl in Milford Haven on 3rd July. Following a search of his vehicle, officers discovered items worth approximately £5,000, many of which still bore security tags, according to prosecutor Alycia Carpanini. The goods were believed to have been taken from various retailers, including Tesco, Asda, and Boots.

Among the recovered items were razor blades, electric toothbrushes, and nicotine products. Tools typically associated with shoplifting, such as a magnet, four pairs of scissors, a pocket knife, and a screwdriver, were also found inside Khvedelidze’s car.

Ms Carpanini explained that Khvedelidze had travelled to Pembrokeshire from London, stopping en route in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Some of the stolen goods were traced back to the Tesco store in Cardigan, where CCTV footage showed Khvedelidze entering the store on the afternoon of 3rd July. He was seen placing some items in his basket and others in a bag before paying only for the basketed goods. Following a stock check, Tesco confirmed £732 worth of merchandise was missing.

During his hearing, Khvedelidze, of Western Avenue, North Acton, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and going equipped for theft. His defence solicitor, Mr Bowen, told the court that his client’s behaviour stemmed from the recent loss of his mother.

Although Bowen acknowledged that the grief did not excuse Khvedelidze’s actions, he offered it as a possible explanation for his mental state at the time. He also emphasised that Khvedelidze had no previous criminal record and was eager to turn his life around, including seeking employment as soon as his asylum status allowed.

“He’s eager to tackle his issues relating to substance misuse,” Bowen added, noting that his client had already reduced his drug usage since arriving in the UK.

The judge, Recorder Aidan Eardley, acknowledged that Khvedelidze had already spent two months in custody, equating to a four-month sentence. Given his time served and personal circumstances, the judge sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge.

This means that Khvedelidze will face no further punishment unless he commits another offence within the next year.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

21 hours 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: