Adam Vickery damaged the Pembroke Dock social housing property after sending threatening messages to his partner

A MAN has been sentenced after smashing four large holes into the bedroom wall of a social housing property in Pembroke Dock.

The criminal damage was caused on the night of December 21 after Adam Vickery arrived at the rented home of his partner, Cerys Randall.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that earlier that evening Ms Randall had received numerous messages from Vickery while she was at work, some of which were threatening.

“When she got home, she walked upstairs to her bedroom and heard a series of bangs,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.

“She discovered Adam Vickery smashing up her bedroom, so she phoned the police.”

When officers arrived, they found four large holes in the plaster walls of the bedroom.

The property is owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and rented through Ateb housing association, with Ms Randall named as the sole tenant.

“I don’t know how to say this, but I’ve had enough,” Ms Randall said in a victim impact statement read to the court.

“I’ve tried to help so much in the relationship, but there’s nothing more I can do.”

Vickery, of West Percy Street, North Shields, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“The defendant came down at Christmas to visit his children but found out that Ms Randall was going to take them away from him that night,” said Mr Kelleher.

“He became frustrated and took that frustration out on the wall. He fully accepts that this was wrong and that he now loses his good character as a result.”

Vickery, who had no previous convictions, was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £16 court surcharge.

No compensation was awarded for the damage because the local authority had not provided sufficient information about the cost of repairing the wall.

Independent shop owner said rising costs meant businesses could not afford to absorb losses caused by theft

A NARBERTH retailer has described the damaging impact shoplifting is having on independent businesses after a £120 collectable bear was stolen from her shop.

The owner of Matilda’s boutique and gift shop told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that thefts were adding to the growing financial pressure faced by traders already struggling with rising costs.

Her victim impact statement was read during the sentencing of 45-year-old Christopher Brockway, who admitted stealing a pink leopard Charlie Bear from the High Street shop.

“People think they can just steal without realising the impact it has on other people and their families,” the proprietor said.

“I’m an independent retailer who has worked hard to set up my business, but it’s a real struggle to keep it going.

“I can’t afford thefts like this with the rising cost of electricity, and I just can’t absorb losses like this.”

The court heard that Brockway entered Matilda’s on May 12 before placing the £120 collectable bear inside his jacket.

CCTV footage showed him leaving the premises without making any attempt to pay.

Brockway, of Silverdale Lodge, Johnston, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop.

Magistrates ordered him to pay £120 compensation to Matilda’s.

He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £32 court surcharge.

Victim told magistrates she feared for her safety as Tomas Baker’s “eyes glazed over” during the attack

A WOMAN was left naked and locked outside in her garden after being repeatedly kicked, pushed to the floor and stamped on by her partner, a court has heard.

In a victim impact statement read to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, the woman described the fear she experienced during the assault by 34-year-old father-of-two Tomas Baker.

“I have no words to express how I feel,” she said.

“He can be so nice and then he just goes. His eyes glaze over as if he wants to kill me. I genuinely felt scared for my safety.”

The assault took place on the evening of May 1 after the couple returned to a property in Begelly following a day out together.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said the woman went to take a shower shortly after they arrived home, while Baker began looking through her phone.

“When he saw that she was on a dating site, he came barging into the shower and began shouting at her,” Ms Vaughan told the court.

The woman got out of the shower and ran into the kitchen, where she attempted to retrieve her phone from Baker.

“He kept calling me a slag and started kicking at my lower leg to swipe my legs from underneath me,” the victim said.

“I fell, hitting the floor with force. Tomas stamped on me at one point, and every time I got up, he would push me and swipe my legs from underneath me again.”

The court heard that the woman eventually managed to escape into the garden, but Baker then locked her outside while she was still naked.

“There was understandably a level of embarrassment involved,” Ms Vaughan said.

Photographs showing the woman’s injuries were presented to magistrates.

She later underwent X-rays at Withybush Hospital. Although she had suffered no broken bones, she sustained torn ligaments behind her knee and extensive bruising, including around her eye socket.

Baker, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a separate charge of assault by beating.

Defending, Tom Lloyd said Baker accepted that his behaviour had been unacceptable and was “utterly remorseful” for what had happened.

“The defendant has already spent seven weeks in custody after breaching his bail conditions when he was charged with this offence, and this has had a major impact on his life,” he said.

Baker was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim, £300 prosecution costs and a £114 court surcharge.

A two-year restraining order was imposed, preventing Baker from contacting the woman directly or indirectly.