Crime

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

Published

3 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

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

2 days 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

3 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

3 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: