Crime
Duo jailed for assaulting and robbing man in terrifying attack
A MAN and a woman have been jailed for assaulting and robbing a vulnerable man at a railway station.
Rory Barnes, aged 23, of Ash Grove, Neyland, Milford Haven, and Hayley Talman, aged 30, of St Davids Close, Hubberston, Milford Haven, approached their victim at Haverfordwest Train Station at around 9pm on Sunday, 16 January.
Talman first asked the man, who is disabled, if he knew anyone who did drugs, before Barnes got up close and invaded his personal space.
The victim moved away but was followed by Barnes a number of times, before he grabbed hold of the victim and told him he must ‘do flake’ because of the jacket he was wearing.
The victim once again walked away, this time to the front of the train station, however, Barnes stayed with him, asking for personal details such as name and address.
The victim once again moved away and went back onto the platform. Barnes again followed and sat down next to him and asked for a cigarette.
The victim then got up and walked to the front of the train station, with Talman and Barnes following him.
Barnes then attacked the man, throwing him to the floor before getting on top of him and punching him twice to the head, before placing his hands into his coat pocket and removing a pouch of tobacco.
The victim then managed to run away towards the town centre, however, Barnes has chased after him.
He once again threw the man to the floor, shouting and swearing at him to give him everything he had.
Barnes has then punched him at another four or five times to the head area, and while he was on the floor, Barnes and Talman have gone through his pockets, with Barnes removing a debit card.
Barnes has then stated that he had a knife. He was searching his own pockets as if he was looking for something, with Talman saying the victim needed to listen as Barnes had a knife.
Barnes has then asked Talman for the knife before telling the victim that if he reports the matter to police then he will find him and stab him.
At this point the victim was able to run away from the area.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended and promptly arrested Barnes and Talman, before launching a thorough investigation.
Senior Investigating Officer DS Tanya Grey said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for a vulnerable victim. Barnes and Talman subjected him to threats and intimidation before launching a violent attack.
“When the victim finally managed to get away from them he was running, fearing for his life as they had threatened him with a knife.
“I would like to commend him for his bravery throughout the investigation.
“We’re pleased with the sentences handed to Barnes and Talman and hope this offers some solace to the victim.
“I would also like to commend our officers, from the initial response officers to the investigating team. Their professionalism helped ensure Barnes and Talman were handed these sentences.”
Barnes was sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment, as well as a further 18 months to run consecutively for an incident in Cardiff. Talman was sentenced to three years and two months.
Both appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, 11th March 2022, having pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.
Crime
Dangerous dogs warrant executed by police in Carmarthenshire
POLICE have confirmed that a warrant under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was executed by Dyfed-Powys Police and the RSPCA at a property in Cefneithin Road, Gorslas, Carmarthenshire on Saturday, April 27.
Two prohibited dogs were removed from the premises, and an investigation is ongoing between the two agencies.
At the time of writing, please said that no arrests made.
Crime
Plea hearing for man accused of assault and strangulation
A HAVERFORDWEST man is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, April 26) charged with assaulting and strangling a woman
Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences last month, and is in Swansea Crown Court today to make his plea, after the local court declined jurisdiction.
Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23 and caused her actual bodily harm.
He is also accused of strangling her.
The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25 and Torkington has been remanded in custody since then.
MORE TO FOLLOW
Crime
Teenage girl in court charged with three counts of attempted murder
A 13-YEAR-OLD appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court this morning, in connection to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on Wednesday.
She was charged with three counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
No pleas were entered, and she was remanded into a youth detention centre until a future court hearing at Swansea Crown Court.
Criminal proceedings are active in respect of this case, and we ask members of the community not to speculate or comment on the circumstances.
On Thursday (Apr 25), the police confirmed that a teenager had been charged in relation to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman yesterday.
Police were called to the school at around 11.20am, following reports that three people had been injured.
Two teachers and a pupil were taken to hospital with stab wounds. They received treatment for knife injuries, have all since been discharged.
A CID-led investigation was launched, and there has continued to be a police presence at the school today as we gather evidence to assist our enquiries.
Police also said: “Yesterday evening, our control room received a number of calls reporting concerns over messages being shared on social media, which had references to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
Officers swiftly carried out a warrant at the home of the person believed to be responsible for this content, and a 15-year-old male was arrested.
He also remains in police custody while we investigate these allegations.”
At a press conference outside the school, also on Thursday, Superintendent Ross Evans said: “While this investigation is being run separately to our enquiries into events at the school, our officers are seeking to establish if there was a connection between the alleged offences.
“Again, I would urge people not to speculate, not to share any images or videos relating to either investigation, and to allow us to carry out our enquiries fully.
“If you, or your children, are distressed by these events, please seek support from an appropriate agency.
“Finally, I would once again like to thank our colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance Service for their swift response to this incident, as well as the NHS staff who treated those who were injured, the charitable organisations who are supporting those affected by this incident, and the vigilant members of the public who reported their concerns to us.”
Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has confirmed that it will re-open to pupils on Monday, 29 April. Carmarthenshire County Council and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman would like to reassure the school community, in anticipation of the school reopening, that a broad range of wellbeing support will continue to be offered to pupils, teachers and staff at the school.
From Monday, 29 April, a dedicated Education and Child Psychology Team from the Council will be available for pupils and staff and will maintain a presence at the school, for the next two weeks, to provide ongoing support and assistance as needed.
Upon the school’s reopening, counselling will be available for pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman to offer support and guidance to students facing difficulties.
The Council’s internal Occupational Health Team, in collaboration with the Education Department, is working to provide comprehensive support for affected staff members. This will entail offering wellbeing support sessions, drop-in sessions, group sessions, and referrals for 1:1 therapeutic support as needed.
Carmarthenshire County Council is grateful to the numerous offers of support from external agencies to provide additional assistance for our students during this time. We are carefully considering how and when to use these services.
Council Leader, Cllr. Darren Price said: “As a County Council, we are doing everything that we can to support the community of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and we have set out a wellbeing support plan to help the pupils and staff.
“This will be a joint support approach, as we are adopting a collaborative approach to ensure that all individuals affected receive the support they require. This includes coordinating between internal and external resources to provide holistic assistance.”
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