News
Drugs ‘dealers’ found guilty
TWO Herbrandston men found in possession of cannabis valued at around £900 appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Deiniol Douglas Owens, aged 21, of Havens Park, pleaded guilty that in Haverfordwest on January 17 jointly with Jamie Wilson, of Little Castle Grove, had 84 grammes of cannabis, a controlled class B drug, with the intent to supply. He was further charged that on the same day at Milford Haven he had in his possession a further 3.12 grammes of cannabis.
Wilson was also jointly charged with Owens of possessing 84 grammes of cannabis at Haverfordwest on January 17 and that between January 10 and 17 supplied a quantity of cannabis to persons unknown at Milford Haven.
Prosecuting, Peter Lloyd said that on January 17 the defendants were travelling on the A40 at St Clears heading towards Pembrokeshire. The vehicle was stopped by police and during a search of the car it was discovered that underneath the hollow of the spare wheel were three packages, which it was found contained cannabis. It was said in a statement that Owens had texted people to see if they wanted weed. Wilson had also said he had intended to supply his friends.
Mark Layton, defending, said that the two men had driven to Cardiff that day to buy the cannabis and that Owens had not participated in any passing of monies and that while Wilson was driving he was texting. Continuing he said that Owens had acted out of character and that his role was of naivety, who went along with a friend a foolish act on his part, he said.
He also told the court that Wilson’s role was greater. “I explained that he is on a slippery slope and I think the message has got through, he does not strike me as your usual drugs dealer,” he said.
After an adjournment, probation worker Julie Norman said that Owens used cannabis last year and last summer he joined a local football team, realising how unfit he had become, and he reduced the cannabis considerably. She said his parents are disappointed that he is in court. She continued saying that Wilson, a refuse worker with a local authority, works hard and his parents also are not happy that he is in court.
Magistrates fined unemployed Owens a total of £145 and placed him on a community order for 12 months and he was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. He was told to pay his fine £10 every two weeks.
Wilson was also given a 12 month community order with supervision and ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work. He too was fined £145 and given 56 days to pay. Magistrates also ordered the destruction of the drugs.
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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