A MAN has admitted producing cannabis after a police raid uncovered a significant hydroponic setup in Carmarthen.

Jurgen Kodra, 30, of no fixed abode, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Oct 24), where he pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis.

Police raided a property on King Street, Carmarthen, on Monday (Oct 23), seizing 930 cannabis plants with an estimated street value exceeding £870,000, according to Dyfed-Powys Police.

Kodra, who was arrested at the scene, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on November 14 for sentencing.

Detective Sergeant Richard Saunders said: “We are committed to making our force area hostile to organised groups who produce and deal illegal drugs. This operation has removed a large quantity of cannabis from the supply chain.”

Dyfed-Powys Police urged the community to report any signs of cannabis cultivation, with Sergeant Saunders adding: “Any bit of information, no matter how small, could make a big difference.”

A 19-YEAR-OLD who ‘lashed out’ at police officers following a domestic incident at his parents’ home in Solva has been sentenced for assaulting an officer and causing criminal damage to a police radio.

Officers were called to a property at Bro Dawel, Solva, in the early hours of September 23 by the mother of Finley Grimshaw.

“When they arrived, there was evidence of a broken television and the officers discovered the defendant [Finley Grimshaw], lying on a makeshift bed,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told district judge Mark Layton when he sat at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday.

“The defendant was wearing just a pair of boxer shorts so the officers gave him the opportunity to put some clothes on, and initially he was compliant.  But when he got up, he ran towards the window which had a missing pane of glass, and jumped through it.  

“The police followed him by jumping through the window and when the defendant landed, he slipped.  He got up and started swinging his arms towards the officers, resulting in slaps and punches to the officer’s torso.  He was trying to get away.”

Grimshaw then adopted what Ms James described as ‘a fighting stance’.

“He pulled at the officers’ radio wire, causing it to snap,” she said.

Grimshaw was eventually kneed to his testicles area, enabling him to be restrained and arrested.

Grimshaw was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order during which he must carry out 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.  He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the police officer who was assaulted, and an additional £25 compensation to repair the broken police radio.  He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

A COURT has heard how a woman, described as ‘vulnerable,’ was punched viciously to her face near a Pembrokeshire railway bridge, causing her to fall to the floor.

This week Matthew Evans, 36, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates court where he pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Shan Jones by beating.

The court was told that earlier that evening Ms Jones and the defendant had been drinking together inside a Kilgetty pub.

“A female went inside a toilet and the defendant went in as well” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

“There was indicative talk in the pub of some illegal activity, and the couple were thrown out and the item was flushed down the sink.”

Nia James went on to say that members of the public who were standing outside the pub overhead the couple arguing close to the railway bridge.

“[Matthew Evans] had the female by the shoulders as they stood underneath the bridge, and he was quite noticeable as he was wearing a hi-viz jacket and was carrying a box of beer.

“He was seen wrapping his arm around her and pulling her in for a hug.”

But Evans was then seen punching the female to her face, causing her to fall to the floor.  When Ms Jones got up, she was holding her hand to her eye and the witnesses said that it appeared to be red.

The witnesses notified the police of the incident however the victim refused to provide a formal statement of complaint to police officers.

District Judge Mark Layton was told by probation officer Julie Norman that at the time of the incident, Evans was suffering from alcohol and drugs misuse, however she believes there is now a ‘realistic prospect’ of his rehabilitation.

Evans, of Woodfield Avenue, Kilgetty, was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody suspended for two years.  He must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days which will include a ‘building better relationships’ course and an alcohol monitoring requirement.  He was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.  No compensation order was made to the victim as a result of her refusal to give a formal statement.

“There was evidence of drink and some evidence of drug misuse,” commented Judge Layton when imposing sentence.

“You left the pub, and without any real reason, you punched the victim to the face so forcefully that she fell to the floor.

“And what makes this worse is that in December 2022 you were sentenced for a previous assault on the same victim so she’s been assaulted at least twice to the degree that you’ve been brought to court.

“If you continue to act violently towards your partner, you’ll end up in prison.”