Crime
Dealer ordered to repay proceeds after coercion by abusive partner
A WOMAN who fell into the nefarious world of drug dealing under the coercion of her partner has been mandated to repay nearly £1,000. Daloni Jones, 27, residing at Bro Gwynfaen, Croes-lan, near Llandysul, admitted to charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine, alongside being implicated in the drug’s distribution. The sentencing, delivered in August, resulted in a 21-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, highlighting the gravity of her actions.
The case also involved Matthew Pritchard, 30, from Station Road, Pembroke Dock, who received a sterner sentence of three years and eight months imprisonment for identical offences. The duo’s criminal activities came to light following a police raid on their Llandysul residence on February 9 last year, where authorities confiscated upwards of 23.5 grams of cocaine. A subsequent operation on May 11 at a Penrhiw-llan property led to the seizure of an additional 11.84 grams of the substance.
Investigations into the couple’s mobile phones unveiled their involvement in cocaine supply from January 1 to May 12, with Jones’s defense acknowledging her guilt under the pretext of following Pritchard’s directives within an abusive relationship. Judge Paul Hobson, acknowledging this dynamic, noted Jones’s partial autonomy in the dealings, stating, “You acted under instruction from Mr Pritchard. However, that was not exclusively the case.”
The court, leveraging the Proceeds of Crime Act, sought to ascertain and confiscate the financial gains accrued from their illicit activities. Prosecutor Sian Cutter revealed that Jones had benefitted to the tune of £3,217.50, with an available sum of £957.50 identified for recovery. Judge Geraint Walters, presiding over the financial proceedings, sanctioned the repayment of this amount. Additionally, Jones faces a £187 surcharge, further compounding her financial penalties.
The proceedings against Pritchard for similar financial recuperations remain pending, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for February 15.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
Crime
Sex offender jailed for breaching court order
A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.
Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.
Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.
The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.
Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.
Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”
She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.
Crime
Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.
Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.
If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods:
- Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 101
You can also provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers:
- Phone: 0800 555 111
- Website: crimestoppers-uk.org
Please quote reference number 24*944729 when providing information.
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