Prosecution says machete-armed gang carried out “carefully planned” attack

TWO men have gone on trial accused of involvement in an aggravated burglary at a Carmarthenshire home where intruders armed with axes and machetes stole £100 and other items.

Mohammed Mills and Michael Quinn deny the charge following the alleged raid at a dog breeder’s property in Garnant on May 29, 2021.

The trial is taking place at Swansea Crown Court.

Opening the prosecution case, Ian Wright told the jury the burglary was “carefully planned and organised” and involved a group of six men, four of whom have already admitted aggravated burglary.

Those who have pleaded guilty are Enrico Poli, 34, of Sale; Josh Whelan, 32, of Manchester; Craig Monaghan, 41, of Latchford; and Bradley Whitaker, 34, of Manchester. The prosecutor stressed that their guilty pleas were not evidence that Mills or Quinn were involved.

Weapons and convoy journey

The court heard a stolen Nissan Juke with cloned number plates travelled in convoy with a Volkswagen T-Roc from Manchester to Garnant on the evening of May 29.

Shortly before 9:00pm, masked men armed with machetes and axes allegedly smashed their way into the home, shouting: “Where’s the money?”

They left minutes later after realising police had been called, taking two £50 notes, a paying-in book and a sanitary towel.

The men then regrouped with Mills, who prosecutors say was driving the Volkswagen, before leaving the area.

Police stop on motorway

Mills was stopped on the M5 near Birmingham at about 11:10pm that night with Poli, Whelan and Whitaker as passengers.

Officers found an orange-handled machete, a balaclava and four pairs of gloves in the vehicle. Another balaclava was discovered concealed in Whitaker’s underwear, the jury heard.

The prosecution said the group had carried out a “dry run” the day before, with Mills allegedly driving them to Garnant and back.

Driver payment claim

In police interview, Mills, 37, of Glastonbury Road, Stretford, said he was paid £350 to drive men to Garnant on May 28 and was offered the same amount to repeat the journey the following day.

“He said he didn’t ask any questions because he was getting paid,” Mr Wright told the court.

Local connection allegation

ANPR cameras captured Quinn, 29, of Maes Y Bedol, Garnant, travelling towards Manchester around the same time, the court heard.

Prosecutors allege Quinn identified the property for the Manchester-based defendants.

Quinn was arrested in Barrow-in-Furness on November 20, 2021. Officers found an iPhone and an orange-handled machete under his bed.

He answered “no comment” to questions during police interviews.

Both men deny the charge.

The trial continues.

Two men deny aggravated burglary charges as Swansea Crown Court trial opens

TWO men from the Manchester area are accused of storming the home of a Pembrokeshire dog breeder armed with weapons and demanding cash, but leaving with just £100, a Lloyds Bank paying-in book and half a packet of sanitary towels, a jury at Swansea Crown Court heard on Tuesday (Feb 24).

Michael Quinn and Mohammed Mills each deny a charge of aggravated burglary following the alleged late-night raid at a bungalow on Cefn Road, Fishguard, targeting businessman John David Davies at the property he shares with his partner, Carmen Bailey.

The case is being heard before His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC.

Door smashed during terrifying ordeal

Reading from Mr Davies’ statement, the prosecution said he had been watching television with Ms Bailey when he suddenly heard banging at the front door.

When he got up to investigate, a glass pane was smashed and masked men climbed through the broken entrance shouting: “Where’s the money?”

During the incident, a witness who was on the phone to Mr Davies could allegedly hear shouting and commotion in the background and repeatedly asked whether the couple were safe.

Ms Bailey ran to the house phone and dialled police at 8:51pm. During the call, one of the intruders reportedly noticed her and shouted: “She’s on the phone.”

Property searched but cash missed

The court heard the men then began searching the bungalow.

Despite approximately £3,000 being hidden inside the property, the intruders left with just two £50 notes, a Lloyds Bank paying-in book and a packet of sanitary towels which was about half full, meaning only part of the pack was taken.

The prosecution said the raid lasted only minutes before the masked men fled.

Police outline Manchester connection

David Thomas, the officer in charge of the investigation, gave evidence describing enquiries and interviews carried out by police.

The jury heard that Mohammed Mills denied involvement in the alleged burglary, but investigators established he had driven from Manchester to Wales on May 28 and 29, 2021, for payment of £350.

A black balaclava was found in the boot of his vehicle, which Mills said may have been left there after a go-karting trip.

The court also heard he had been given two postcodes during the journey — one at the start and another about an hour later — directing him towards the Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen area.

Deleted messages recovered from his phone allegedly included the phrase: “Yo just got back, mission. P*** take.”

The prosecution allege the pair travelled from the Manchester area to Pembrokeshire intending to carry out a targeted robbery linked to the home-based dog breeding business.

Both men deny the charge.

The trial continues.

POLICE have increased patrols and deployed additional resources following a rise in youth-related antisocial behaviour in Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock, with particular concern centred on the former Tasker Milward School site.

Dyfed-Powys Police say they have received an influx of reports in recent weeks about large groups of young people gathering in certain locations, causing harassment, alarm and distress to residents and local businesses.

Officers have also raised concerns about alcohol use and incidents where young people have sustained injuries after entering unsafe, disused buildings.

Neighbourhood policing and prevention teams are carrying out targeted patrols and working closely with partner agencies and local businesses to tackle the issue.

Pembrokeshire County Council is also strengthening security at the former school building. Measures include replacing damaged boarding and fencing panels, installing anti-climb paint and defender strips, and clearing debris from the site to reduce opportunities for trespass and minimise the risk of harm.

Police say additional resources — including response officers and specialist units — have been allocated to provide what they describe as a robust response to the situation.

Officers are using a range of powers under antisocial behaviour legislation, including requiring individuals to provide their details under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act and directing people to leave an area for up to 48 hours under Sections 34 and 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.

Superintendent Louise Harries, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire, said the behaviour was having a significant impact on communities.

She said: “The impact of this antisocial behaviour on our communities and local businesses cannot be underestimated. We want to reassure residents that we are taking robust action by using the powers available to us as police, and working closely with partner agencies.

“Regarding the former Tasker Milward School building, I want to be absolutely clear that breaking into a building could not only amount to a crime but is also extremely dangerous. Children have already been injured at the site, and we cannot allow this to continue.

“We are asking parents and carers to speak to their children about their behaviour, where they are spending their time, and who they are associating with. Many of the groups involved are travelling from different areas in Pembrokeshire, and it is important that parents are aware of this.”

She added that antisocial behaviour and criminal offences can have long-term consequences for young people, including potential impacts on education and future employment.

“Early intervention is key to preventing this, and we are asking for parents and carers to support our efforts in keeping these children, and our local community, safe,” she said.

Where criminal offences are identified, police say positive action will be taken and prosecutions pursued where appropriate.

Parents and carers concerned about their child’s behaviour can seek support through the Pembrokeshire Families’ Support Network or by contacting their local neighbourhood policing team.

Residents are encouraged to report antisocial behaviour via 101 or online. In an emergency, always dial 999.