IN A RECENT court case, Layton Nolan, a man accused of assaulting a woman and attempting to bribe her to withdraw her statement, has managed to avoid a prison sentence. Judge Paul Thomas strongly condemned Nolan’s actions, labelling him a “cowardly bully” and describing his behaviour as both “pathetic” and “insidious.”

The sentencing, originally scheduled two weeks ago, was postponed after Nolan argued that his company would collapse, resulting in the loss of ten jobs if he were incarcerated. Taking this into consideration, Judge Thomas concluded on Monday, 10 July, that he could not send Nolan to prison.

During the court proceedings, Amelia Pike, Nolan’s defence attorney, claimed that the staff members were self-employed but still worked under Nolan’s supervision. Judge Thomas expressed scepticism regarding Nolan’s employment practices, questioning whether this arrangement was an attempt to evade the legal obligations and responsibilities associated with employing staff.

Ms. Pike clarified that these individuals were indeed considered employees while the case was ongoing and that Nolan had been awaiting the outcome before finalising their employment status.

Details emerged during the trial, revealing that Nolan had assaulted the woman on four separate occasions between July and August of the previous year. The incidents ranged from spraying perfume in her eyes during an argument to pushing her, causing her to fall and injure her arm and thigh. In another incident, Nolan slapped her on the right cheek and kicked her leg. The culmination of the assaults occurred when Nolan drove erratically with the complainant and a young child in the car. Fearing for her safety, she exited the vehicle, prompting Nolan to assault her again.

The court was informed that Nolan subjected the victim to further physical abuse, including punching and slapping her legs while she cowered. Upon arriving at the Bluestone resort, a distressed complainant was pushed into bushes by Nolan, witnessed by a member of the staff.

Nolan, a 27-year-old residing on Victoria Road in Pembroke Dock, was found guilty of these assaults at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Prior to the trial, evidence surfaced of Nolan offering the complainant money in exchange for retracting her witness statement. This conversation was recorded, and it was later revealed that Nolan had also contacted the complainant’s sister, urging her to withdraw her statement as well.

Judge Thomas criticised Nolan’s actions, describing them as both pathetic and insidious. He sentenced Nolan to a suspended 26-week prison term for a period of two years. In addition, Nolan will be required to complete the Building Better Relationships programme, participate in a 30-day rehabilitation activity, and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Furthermore, the complainant was granted a restraining order against Nolan for a period of five years.

Judge Thomas emphasised that the decision to avoid prison was influenced by the potential impact on Nolan’s employees. Addressing Nolan directly, he expressed hope that his time spent in custody had been unpleasant and warned him that he would not be granted another chance.

Nolan responded, assuring the court, “100 per cent.”