News
Tag removed by bench
MAGISTRATES removed a number of bail conditions, including an electronic tag, attached to a Haverfordwest man at Court on Wednesday (Dec 17). Joshua Simmons, aged 24 of Dew Street, pleaded guilty on a basis to a charge of ABH, theft of a mobile phone and possession of less than a gram of cannabis.
A fourth charge of breaching a nonmolestation order was dropped after it was revealed that the complainant initiated the breach by going to his house and then having sexual relations with him on that evening. The Magistrates indicated that they were looking at giving a community order and a report will now be prepared by the probation service.
At a previous hearing, five bail conditions were imposed on Simmons. These were a curfew from 9pm-7am – for which he was also given an electronic tag – not to contact the complainant, not to enter Milford Haven, that he should report to the police station every day and that he should live and sleep at his address. The chairman of the bench removed those conditions. The two new conditions he was given were he should not contact the complainant and that he should cooperate with the probation service.
Prosecuting, Peter Lloyd said: “The basis is not acceptable to the crown. The lady says she went to his address in Dew Street and accepts that she shouldn’t have gone there. “Whilst in the house, he looked at her mobile phone and saw messages from other lads on it. This resulted in the assault and he grabbed her hair and pushed her to the floor. He went out but come back soon after and pulled her by the hair, dragging her along the floor. The CPS say that she was stamped on the face by the defendant, while he says that the injury was caused by him kneeing her to the eye.
He does accept that he caused the injury. He grabbed her by her hair again and wouldn’t let her out. He has eventually pushed her out of the flat”. Defending, Mike Kelleher said: “There are differences in the accounts of what happened. On this night she had alcohol. We say she was drunk and had gained access to his flat and they slept together.
My client has become worried because he knew about the nonmolestation order and that she might be able to make a complaint. “He told her to get out of the flat and the assault occurred. He fell on top of her and kneed her to the side of the face. It took some more persuasion for the lady to leave and it is a shame that it has ended up like this. “He accepts he caused the injury and that he perhaps was a little rough in getting her out, but he apologises for all of this.” The Magistrates indicated that they would be sentencing on the basis given by the defence and ordered for a report. The matter will come back to court on January 14, 2015 and Simmons was
Crime
Man who threatened to kill Herald editor given suspended prison sentence
A PEMBROKESHIRE man who sent a message threatening to kill Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair has been given a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.
Anthony Jones, aged 34, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 23) for sentencing after being found guilty of two offences following a trial earlier this month.
The court heard that on February 24, 2025, Jones sent a communication conveying a threat of death or serious harm, contrary to the Online Safety Act 2023. Magistrates were told he intended, or was reckless as to whether, the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.
Jones was also convicted of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress following an incident on April 8, 2025, in Pembroke involving a police officer.
Magistrates imposed a total custodial sentence of 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, for the threats against Mr Sinclair. He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim, £640 prosecution costs, and a £154 surcharge.
For the racially aggravated harassment offence, Jones received a separate 12-week prison sentence, also suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently, together with £200 compensation.
The court was told the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, with magistrates noting the defendant had shown a “flagrant disregard for people” and had targeted the victim with serious threats.
A victim personal statement from Mr Sinclair was read to the court by the prosecutor.
The custodial sentences were suspended after the court heard Jones had not offended for some time, was employed, had children, and was assessed by probation as not presenting a high risk of harm or reoffending.
Crime
Man remanded in custody over Tenby assault allegations
A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing serious injuries to a woman in Tenby.
Lewis Thompson-Gill, aged 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, Worcestershire, is accused of assaulting a female on December 28, 2025, causing actual bodily harm.
He also faces a further charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in relation to the same incident.
The court heard the case during a mention hearing on Monday (Feb 23).
Thompson-Gill previously entered a not guilty plea to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge. A plea to the grievous bodily harm charge has not yet been recorded.
Magistrates remanded him in custody due to concerns he could commit further offences, cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, or interfere with witnesses.
The custody time limit in relation to the assault charge expires on March 9, while the limit for the grievous bodily harm allegation expires on April 13.
The case was adjourned for trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 2 at 2:00pm. The hearing is expected to last around two and a half hours.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been directed to serve the full case file on the defendant before the next hearing.
Crime
Eleven-year jail term for rape after judge finds victim ‘particularly vulnerable’
A MAN from Newport has been jailed for eleven years after being convicted of raping a woman who was asleep and physically vulnerable.
Yogesh Parmar, aged 35, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Feb 23) following a trial in which jurors heard harrowing details of the abuse suffered by the victim.
Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards said the complainant had been “particularly vulnerable” at the time of the attack because of her small physical stature and the fact she was asleep when the rape occurred.
The court heard Parmar placed heavy gym weights against the bedroom door to prevent the woman from leaving the room.
In her personal statement, the victim said that when she told Parmar his behaviour was harming her, he responded by telling her to “get used to it”.
It was also heard that he dismissed her distress by describing her as “hormonal” when she reacted to his pattern of abuse. The victim told the court she regarded Parmar as “a predator”.
In mitigation, defence counsel argued the complainant had “woken to him effectively having intercourse”.
Alongside the eleven-year custodial sentence for rape, Parmar was handed a 20-year restraining order. He also received a two-year concurrent sentence on a separate count of controlling and coercive behaviour.
Judge Richards told the defendant the offences represented a grave breach of trust and had caused lasting harm to the victim.
Parmar will serve his sentence in custody before being subject to restrictions upon release.
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