News
Community order for ‘unprovoked attack’
NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Jack Price of Pembroke appeared at Haverfordwest Magistartes’ Court on Tuesday (Jan 20) to face a charge of assault. He entered a
guilty plea for the unprovoked attack against another man and was consequently given a 12-month community order.
The incident took place in the Royal Oak Pub in Pembroke where Price had consumed six pints of lager whilst celebrating a birthday.
The court heard how Price, who plays rugby for Tenby and Llanelli, has begun to regulate his drinking so that he does not commit further offences.
Prosecuting, Nick Newton said: “On July 19, the defendant had gone to the Royal Oak pub with friends. Whilst in the toilets there was a disagreement with the complainant in this case and his friend was anxious to defuse the situation. However the defendant then threw a punch which connected with the left side of the complainants face. The prosecution say that the defendant went to throw further punches but his friend intervened and got him in a bear hug to restrain him. They have then fallen to the floor but he kept his grip and there was no further violence. The complainant suffered a black eye and small cuts and the incident was reported to the police.
“There were a number of witnesses which say this was an unprovoked assault and that there was a degree of force in the punch which knocked the complaint back several steps. He was arrested and in his interview he told officers that he was drunk but that he knew what he was doing. He admitted throwing a punch and that he had been previously banned from the pub. Price said that he felt he was going to be the victim of assault and he responded to that.”
The Magistrates asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the Probation Service. Mr Jenkins told the court: “This was an unprovoked assault which caused injury. He had been out celebrating a birthday and had drunk six pints of lager. He cannot recall the incident but he bitterly regrets that the incident did take place. He has begun to regulate his drinking and he has not been in trouble since this offence but his shame was obvious and he would also like to apologise to the victim. This was a one-off incident and I think a community order with unpaid work hours would be sufficient. He is willing to complete any order.”
The CPS also asked for an exclusion order to be issued for Price but the Magistrates did not think that was necessary. The community order will stand for 12 months and he will have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. He will also have to pay compensation to the victim of £125. £85 in costs was also awarded and Price must also pay a £60 victim surcharge.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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