Crime
Repeated harassment, intimidation and serious physical abuse
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
Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer
PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”
Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”
Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”
Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.
Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.
Crime
Man charged with sexual penetration of seven-week-old baby in court
CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS, 33, of Burton, and co-defendant Bryony O’Rourke, 24, of Llangwm appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Jan 24).
Phillips faces charges including sexual penetration of a seven-week-old baby, assault, ill-treatment, neglect, and abandonment, resulting in serious physical harm. He is also charged with actual bodily harm and four counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, alleged to have occurred between December 27, 2020, and January 12, 2021.
O’Rourke is accused of allowing the child to suffer serious physical harm between December 19, 2020, and January 25, 2021, due to Phillips’ actions. She also faces charges of assault, ill-treatment, neglect, or abandonment leading to unnecessary suffering or injury.
The case was adjourned.
The pair are now set to appear in Swansea Crown Court for a plea and direction hearing on October 25, 2025. The trial is scheduled to commence on November 17, 2025.
Both defendants are on conditional bail. Phillips must reside at his address in Burton, avoid unsupervised contact with minors, and have no contact with O’Rourke or prosecution witnesses. O’Rourke is subject to similar conditions, residing at her Llangwm address and avoiding unsupervised contact with children under 18.
Further updates will follow as the case progresses.
Crime
Precept increase ‘tackles financial challenges and boosts local policing’
POLICE and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has announced the police precept for 2025/26 following the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel’s unanimous approval at a meeting on Friday (Jan 24). The precept, which forms part of council tax funding for policing, will see an 8.6% increase for an average Band D property—equivalent to £28.65 annually or approximately £2.39 per month.
Transparent budget-setting process
Mr. Llywelyn’s proposal was praised by panel members for its transparency and thorough scrutiny over several months. The Commissioner factored in inflation, cost pressures, service demands, reserves, and community feedback before finalizing the precept.
“The operational and financial landscape remains unpredictable,” Mr. Llywelyn said. “This funding will enable the Force to focus on delivering my new Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029 and improving outcomes for the community.”
Strengthening local policing
The increase will bring significant enhancements to police services, particularly through Local Policing Teams. The precept, along with a £0.7m Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Grant, will fund 35 additional full-time officers. This allows experienced officers to shift from desk-based roles to frontline policing, bolstering neighbourhood and response teams.
Further investments include upgrades to critical operational equipment, technology, and staffing to improve efficiency and case handling. Vulnerable callers will benefit from strengthened support, and training initiatives will ensure the Force remains responsive to community needs.
Mr. Llywelyn emphasized the importance of visible policing: “We understand the burden any increase places on taxpayers, but this decision is vital for sustaining essential services and increasing visible policing. These investments will help safeguard our communities’ safety and well-being.”
Public consultation informs decision
The Commissioner sought public input, with 54.7% of 707 respondents supporting a precept increase above 9% to protect services. The approved 8.6% rise will set the Band D precept at £360.68 for 2025/26, raising £86.366m and contributing to total funding of £153.304m—a £9.4m (6.5%) increase from last year.
Future plans
The Commissioner’s new Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029 will outline objectives for improving performance and outcomes.
“I extend my thanks to the public for their input and to the Police and Crime Panel for their continued support,” Mr. Llywelyn added.
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