Crime

Hakin fighter guilty of ‘cowardly’ attack against woman in pub car park

Published

2 months ago

September 13, 2024

A HAKIN man launched a “cowardly” assault on a woman outside a pub but was cleared of the incident being racially aggravated, a court has heard.

David Round, 38, of Camuset Close, was accused of attacking the Vicky Bambrough-Harteveld in the car park of The Three Crowns pub in the early hours of 2 July 2022. Round, a professional fighter, punched the woman to the ground twice before straddling her and delivering “three or four” additional punches, the court was told. During the altercation, it was also alleged that he bit her finger as she tried to fend him off.

Round denied the charges, telling the jury, “I wouldn’t hit a woman.”

After five hours and 29 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the charge of racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm. However, he was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge Rees adjourned sentencing until 14 October to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Round was granted bail until that date, but Judge Rees warned him to expect a custodial sentence.

The court heard that Round had prior convictions, including wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2009, and battery in 2013.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court that Round had been involved in a fight on the night of the incident, a fact corroborated by CCTV footage. Round admitted he had consumed at least 10 pints of beer and several shots that evening. Ms Donohue described him as “much drunker than anyone else” involved.

The altercation reportedly began after a comment made by the victim’s partner “clearly got under Mr Round’s skin”, leading to a violent outburst just moments after Round exited the pub.

The victim testified that after a fight between Round and her partner was broken up, she witnessed Round punch his wife. She intervened, telling him, “You can’t do that,” at which point he allegedly turned around and struck her.

The woman sustained a black eye, bruising and swelling to her face, a cut lip, and a cut finger. In cross-examination, defence counsel David Leathley questioned the extent of the complainant’s injuries, suggesting they would have been more severe had a professional fighter been involved. The victim retorted, “No they wouldn’t because Mr Round loses most of his fights.”

Ms Donohue argued that the punch to the victim’s face, particularly the black eye, was a “significant injury” unlikely to have been caused by simply pulling two people apart.

Round was also accused of using racist language, including the N-word, during the attack, though he denied these claims. Mr Leathley pointed to inconsistencies in the victim’s statements and argued that Round “is not a racist”, noting his previous relationship with one of the complainant’s cousins.

Round will return to court for sentencing next month.

Crime

Mother admits to killing seven-year-old son in Haverfordwest

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Luke Sinclair

A mother has admitted to the manslaughter of her seven-year-old son at their home in Haverfordwest, citing diminished responsibility.

Papaipit Linse, 43, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 22), where she denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her son, Louis Linse. Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC confirmed the manslaughter plea would be accepted, stating it “did not come as a surprise” to the prosecution.

The incident occurred on 10 January when police were called to a property on Upper Market Street. Louis was rushed to Withybush General Hospital but tragically died shortly afterwards.

During the hearing, Linse, who spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas, was informed that she would be sentenced on 13 December. Judge Paul Thomas KC described the case as “clearly a very sensitive as well as a very tragic case.”

The court was told that Linse is currently receiving treatment at the Caswell Clinic, a mental health facility in Bridgend. Psychiatric evidence is expected to be presented during the sentencing hearing to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.