Crime
Fake police officer steals £16,000 from pensioner on his doorstep
POLICE have issued a warning after an elderly man was tricked into handing over £16,000 on his doorstep by a fraudster posing as an officer.
The victim, in his 80s, was targeted at his home in Riverside, Cardiff, on Wednesday (Sep 3). He had earlier received a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer, instructing him to withdraw the cash.
Shortly afterwards, a man arrived at the address and snatched the money from his hands.
The suspect has been described as black, with medium-length afro hair and a beard concealed by a medical mask. He was wearing a long-sleeved top and dark trousers.
Other attempted scams
South Wales Police confirmed they also received two other reports on Wednesday, in Fairwater and Canton, where fraudsters attempted similar scams by pretending to be police officers.
A spokesperson said: “We urge people to remain vigilant and to check in on elderly or vulnerable relatives. Police officers will never ask for cash to be withdrawn or handed over in this way.”
Advice to residents
The force has reminded the public to:
- Be suspicious of all “too good to be true” offers and deals
- Never hand over money or agree to deals without verifying credentials
- Avoid sending money to anyone they do not know or trust
- Use only secure and trusted payment methods
Anyone with information is urged to contact South Wales Police.
Crime
Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000
A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.
Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.
The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.
Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.
Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.
He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.
Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.
They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.
Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.
A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.
At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.
Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.
Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.
“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”
After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.
He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”
Photo caption: Drugs seized:
Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).
Crime
Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts
A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.
Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.
The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.
The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.
After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.
He will now be brought before the court once located by police.
Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.
Crime
Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store
A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.
Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.
The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.
Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.
Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.
The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.
Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.
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