News

Woman admits dog was out of control

Published

10 years ago

December 12, 2013

A WOMAN from Goodwick appeared in Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face a charge of allowing her dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and cause injury.

Teresa Carlisle, aged 62, of Tresissilt, pleaded not guilty to her Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross biting Christopher Thomas on his leg while walking along a public footpath with his partner.

Prosecuting, Peter Lloyd told Magistrates:

“The public footpath runs past the defendant’s house and goes down to the beach. Thomas had said that and his partner had gone for a walk along the footpath. A dog began to run towards them. Thomas’ partner grabbed his arm while the dog was barking a bearing its teeth at them. Carlisle called her dog to come back by the name of ‘Della’, and ran toward her instead.

“Within seconds of it running back to her, it returned to Thomas. It was snarling, running around and Thomas was frightened. The dog bit his left knee and shouted out ‘It’s bitten me’. Carlisle shouted back ‘My dog doesn’t bite’.

“Thomas had a hole in his trousers and had a bruise to his leg. Photographs of this were taken by Angela Evans, Thomas’ partner. Carlisle does not accept that a bite had taken place and says the dog jumps up on occasions and says the dog’s claw could have done it”.

Mr Lloyd added: “We do not need to prove a bit. It is still an offence as the dog caused an injury”.

Christopher Thomas was then called to give evidence. He was handed a map of the footpath and surrounding buildings, which he had to mark where he was when the dog allegedly bit him.

Thomas told the court: “I had a wet stain and small holes from the dog’s teeth”.

Briony Angela Evans, the second witness, was then called in to give evidence after Thomas. Evans was also given a map and marked it almost identically to Thomas. The evidence Evans gave was almost identical to that given by Thomas.

PC Holloway also gave a statement in court, which reflected the evidence given by Evans and Thomas.

Defence solicitor, Christopher Austins asked Carlisle to give her side of the story. Carlisle told the court:

“I was standing outside the back door mixing up two horse feeds. I had my head down and I heard barking. Della always barks when somebody is coming. I looked up and I couldn’t see her. I took two strides to see if there was anybody there. The yard was empty except for this couple and I was immediately anxious and thought ‘It’s them’”.

“Della was running around, she wasn’t particularly aggressive. I called her back and she ran again. It’s what any other dog would do. They also state she was barking, snarling and bearing her teeth. Dogs can’t do that all at the same time. She was barking and running around.

“The distance between us was about 75 feet. I didn’t see her do anything. I wanted to get her back because I know they don’t like her. She must have jumped up. She used to do it a lot but not so much now” and added “I’m certain she didn’t bite him”.

Austins asked how she was certain, Carlisle said: “At the time I was certain because I didn’t see anything”.

Lloyd asked Carlisle: “In physical terms, when Della is out of sight, do you have any control?”

After avoiding the question, Carlisle admitted she did not.

Lloyd added: “In terms of seeing what happened, were you able to see as far as 75 feet?”

Carlisle said “Yes, 75 feet isn’t that far”. Carlisle continued to talk about how friendly her dog is, though Lloyd reminded her that she is only stating her experience with the dog.

Lloyd asked Carlisle: “Do you accept that your dog injured Mr Thomas?”, to which she replied

“Depends on what you call an injury. He could have had a bruise already”.

Upon Lloyd asking Carlisle: “You know full well Mr Thomas was bitten”, Carlisle raised her voice in saying “No”.

Lloyd also told the court: “Saying her dog doesn’t bite, doesn’t mean it didn’t bite”. Magistrates fined Carlisle £650 prosecution cost, £200 fine, £20 victim surcharge and had to pay Thomas £50 compensation. The dog must also be kept under control, be on a lead and wear a muzzle in a public place for the next 12 months.

Carlisle made a fuss about her dog being kept on a lead and muzzle stating: “It will make her an angry dog. I’ve had dogs all my life, you don’t understand”.

Magistrates added: “I think Miss Carlisle should consider how close we came today to passing a destruction order on Della”.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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’

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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/.