News
Five years in prison for stun gun man
A WHITLAND farmer who had a stun gun disguised as a torch has been jailed for five years today (Mar 10).
Maxwell West, aged 22, is already serving a two year sentence for dangerous driving.
While West was on police bail awaiting sentencing for that offence he was arrested again after the firearms incident.
Rhys Thomas, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court how West and a friend had been involved in an incident in Milford Haven on May 17 last year.
They had been inside a car driven by West and a group standing nearby reported to the police that someone in the car had pointed what looked like a gun at them.
A firearms unit was sent to find the car, which they did at about 11:45pm.
West was made to stop and a search of the rear passenger seat area revealed a black torch which was also a stun gun.
After his arrest West told police he had bought the weapon at a car boot sale and thought it had been only a torch.
West admitted possessing a prohibited weapon.
The court heard that West had been involved in a serious road traffic accident that had resulted in serious injuries to himself and his friends, and a two years sentence for dangerous driving.
Mr Thomas said West was now caught by a minimum sentence of five years as laid down by Parliament.
Judge Paul Thomas asked if the sentence could be reduced to reflect West’s plea of guilty.
Mr Thomas said that according to his understanding the sentence could be reduced but not below the five year term.
Judge Thomas said he accepted that whatever had taken place in Milford Haven it had involved someone other than West pointing an object out of the window of the passenger side of the car.
But it had caused alarm to other people, he added.
“Parliament has made it clear that weapons of this sort are dangerous and must be stamped out,” he said.
Judge Thomas implemented the five year sentence.
Crime
Arrest after £1,800 of items stolen from Boots in Pembroke Dock
A 27-YEAR-OLD Romanian has been remanded in custody after stealing over £1,000 worth of items from Boots in Pembroke Dock.
Raj Domnu was arrested by police officers after being observed stealing the items on April 13. He appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on April 22 when admitted stealing items totalling £1,818.53.
The matter was adjourned for an all-options probation report to be prepared prior to Domnu’s sentencing, and this week he re-appeared before Haverfordwdest magistrates court via a video-link from Swansea Prison where he has been remanded in custody.
“The report has been prepared, but my client doesn’t understand a word of English so I’m unable to discuss it with him,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.
Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson also stated that to sentence Domnu without the assistance of an interpreter would be judicially unfair to the defendant.
As a result, the matter was adjourned to May 13. Domnu, of Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe, was remanded in custody.
Crime
Farm mechanic admits drink driving after losing control of vehicle
A PEMBROKESHIRE farm mechanic has been sentenced by magistrates after driving his vehicle at speed towards another car when he was over the drink-drive limit.
William Griffiths was driving his Seat Leon on an unclassified road between Maenclochog and Clarbeston just before 7pm on April 22.
“Another motorist was on her way home and she slowed down when the vehicle in front of her indicated to turn right,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“But she then heard the sound of screeching tyres and saw a car travelling towards her at speed, breaking heavily and swerving across the road.”
The out-of-control car was being driven by William Griffiths, 47, of Clyn, Maenclochog.
“He shunted forward and skid marks could be seen on the road,” continued Ms Jackson. “Police officers were called and when they spoke to the defendant, they could smell alcohol on his breath.”
A roadside breath test proved positive and Griffiths was taken to a police custody suite where he gave two further breath tests, the lowest giving a reading of 67 mcg. The legal limit is 35.
Ms Jackson confirmed that during a police interview, Griffiths admitted drinking three pints of lager earlier that evening.
“It’s sad that someone at the age of 47 comes before the court with a hitherto clean character,” said his barrister, David Griffiths, in mitigation.
“This was an exceptional situation as my client had been told that one of his friends had died suddenly that day.
“Because of this, he called into a pub and drank more than he should have.”
Mr Griffiths said that his client works as a self-employed mechanic on his family farm.
After considering the facts, magistrates disqualified Williams Griffiths from driving for a total of 18 months. He was fined £440 and ordered to pay a £176 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Convicted sex offender breached register with Morocco holiday
A CONVICTED Pembrokeshire sex offender has admitted spending a month in Morocco after failing to inform police of his intention to leave the country.
Wayne Mansbridge arrived in Morocco on January 16 and remained there until February 16, despite having been placed on the sex offenders’ register following a conviction of sexually assaulting a soldier in 2014. One of the register’s requirements demands that Mansbridge notifies the police at least seven days before leaving the UK.
“The police received information that he’d gone abroad but he had not informed them of his intentions to travel,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“But the sex offenders register states that he must notify them at least seven days in advance.”
When officers arrested Mansbridge following his return to the UK, he fully admitted the offence, claiming it had ‘gone out of his head’.
“He travelled to Morocco on January 16 and returned on February 16, so he had travelled for a full month,” continued Ms Jackson.
“He informed officers that he has been abroad a number of times since the offence, but this is the first time he has failed to comply with the sex offender’s register requirements.”
Mansbridge, 57, of Oak Grove, Twycross, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements.
Following a request by his solicitor, Tom Lloyd, for an all-options probation report, sentencing was adjourned to May 28 and Mansbridge was released on unconditional bail.
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