Crime

Repeated harassment, intimidation and serious physical abuse

Published

2 months ago

September 20, 2024

A COURT has heard how a neighbour pushed her way into the next door property before assaulting the person who lived there and throwing items of her furniture out into the street.

As all this was going on, the victim’s little dog was seen cowering in the background.

This week video footage was shown to District Judge Mark Layton, sitting in Haverfordwest magistrates court, of Sorrel Arnold pushing her way into a property in Bridge Street, Llanychaer on the afternoon of August 7,

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson explained the incident arose as a result of an ongoing issue concerning a boundary fence.

“The defendant forced her way into the property, grabbed Linda Manley and pushed her to the stomach,” said Ms Jackson.

A victim statement was read out to the court in which Ms Manley mentioned the ‘repeated harassment, intimidation and serious physical abuse’ which is being inflicted on her by Sorrel Arnold.

“I bought my cottage as I wanted to enjoy a peaceful existence,” she said. “But I was quickly made aware of the aggressive behaviour of my neighbour. I’m enduring daily harassment from [Sorrel Arnold], with her anti-social behaviour and the damage she’s causing to my property and I’ve become fearful of her.”

Ms Manley went on to describe the events on the afternoon of August 7.

“She forced her way in, attacking me and pushing me to one side,” she said. “This was in my own home. I kept telling her to leave me alone, but she kept saying she would do as she pleased. She pushed her long fingernails into my wrist and threw my mobile phone outside and hurled it into the road, as well as a wooden stool that my children had given me.

“I ran out in fear, shouting for help. I had to leave my own home, leaving her inside with my small dog.”

When Arnold eventually left the property, she lifted the flowers out of Ms Manley’s window box and emptied them onto the road.

“I believe her to be mentally unstable,” concluded Ms Manley. “I now live in fear each day, not knowing what she’s going to do next.”

Arnold pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to Linda Manley’s property and of assaulting Ms Manley by beating. She was legally unrepresented in court.

After considering a lengthy probation report, Judge Layton sentenced Arnold to a 12 month community order during which she must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

She was ordered to pay a total of £929 compensation to Ms Manley, covering the cost of her iPhone and the damage to her property. She must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. The Judge imposed a restraining order which will run indefinitely, preventing her from having any contact with the victim.

“The person you assaulted was in her own home, which is somewhere everyone should feel safe,” he said. “If you do anything like this again, custody is going to be the next step.”

Crime

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

Published

2 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.