AMY Woolston, 20, of Vine Road, Johnston, Pembrokeshire, has been sentenced to six weeks in prison for breaching a domestic violence protection order.

On 15th May 2024, Woolston was found in the company of a man in a flat at The Farmers Arms, Market Street, Whitland, in violation of the order issued by Llanelli Magistrates Court on 10th May 2024.

The court deemed the offence serious due to the proximity to the original order and a previous breach involving the same victim. Woolston was not in custody and appeared unrepresented in court. Her total sentence length is 18 weeks.

The case was dealt with in Haverfordwest court on May 16.

SIMON WILLIAMS was at his residence on Woodland Close when officers conducted the raid on March 6. Prosecutor Sian Cutter reported that the police found the knuckleduster on the kitchen table and a cannabis joint on a bedroom cabinet.

“Under the kitchen sink, a black tray contained two bags of what was thought to be cocaine, but was later found to be creatine and bicarbonate of soda,” Cutter explained.

An analysis of Williams’ phone revealed messages dating back to March last year, indicating his involvement in cocaine dealing to about 20 customers. Cutter noted that Williams had sent messages referring to “flake” and “bash” – slang terms for cocaine – and discussed “preparing baggies” and having “a stash”.

In his police interview, Williams denied being a drug dealer, claiming he was only a user of cocaine and cannabis and that the knuckleduster was “for decoration only”.

The court heard that Williams, 41, had 11 previous convictions for 14 offences. He initially admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, asserting that he used cocaine to alleviate a head injury and only sold some to friends to fund his usage. However, the prosecution rejected this basis, citing further phone evidence showing he had been dealing to around 20 people.

Williams eventually fully accepted charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, as well as possession of cannabis and possession of the knuckleduster.

Defence counsel Dan Griffiths stated, “It’s clear that only an immediate custodial sentence can be imposed.” He added that Williams’ involvement in drugs began many years ago with the use of cannabis and that he was introduced to cocaine by others due to its prevalence in the area. Griffiths described Williams’ dealing as a way to fund his habit, marking an “escalation” in his offending.

Judge Huw Rees sentenced Williams to two years and four months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine. No separate penalties were imposed for the possession of cannabis and the knuckleduster.

LIAM BRIAN, 30, of Owen Street in Pennar, appeared at Swansea Crown Court facing four serious charges. The allegations include assaulting and strangling a woman in Merlin’s Bridge on August 11 of the previous year.

In addition, Brian is charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour from January 2023 to January 2024. The accusations detail that he prevented the woman from seeing her family members, denied her access to a bank card and house keys, and restricted her from showering before work. It is also alleged that Brian dictated what clothes she could wear, controlled her contact with male colleagues, and subjected her to further assaults and strangulation.

Brian also faces a charge of attempting to pervert the course of public justice. On January 24, it is alleged he pressured the same woman to withdraw her witness statement to the police.

At a previous court appearance on April 29, Brian pleaded not guilty to all charges. The hearing was adjourned because the charges had been uploaded late, preventing his defence counsel, Dean Pulling, from having a full conference with him to offer advice.

Brian returned to court on May 17, where Mr Pulling confirmed that the defendant’s not guilty pleas remained unchanged. The court has set a trial date for September 3, and Brian was remanded back into custody.