Crime
Ironman outing leads to ‘moment of madness’, court hears
A TENBY Ironman outing had dire consequences for a Llanteg resident after he threw a full can of alcohol at his ex-partner’s back.
Kevin Lewis, 44, experienced what his solicitor this week described as ‘a moment of madness’ when his ex-partner stated she was going to spend the evening with her new partner.
“My client accepts that his actions were totally unacceptable,” solicitor Liam Francis told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“It was a moment of madness with the realisation that their relationship had truly come to an end. He’d drunk too much alcohol and things got out of control.”
The incident took place on Sunday, September 3, when Lewis and his ex-partner Samanatha Smith took their seven-year old child to the Ironman event in Tenby in an effort to retain what the probation service described as ‘a civil relationship’ for their child.
“They’d a room booked at thePremier Inn but their plans changed,” outlined Crown Prosecutor, Abigail Jackson.
“The complainant called her new partner and then walked up to the defendant and told him that she was going to stay with him [the new partner].
“She turned around and then she felt a can of alcohol hit her in the back.”
“My back was soaking,” stated Samantha Smith in a victim impact statement read out to the court.
“He then called me a s*** mum, a bitch and a c***. I tried to persuade our daughter to come with me but he pushed me into the road.
“This has made me feel like a piece of s***. It downgraded me and embarrassed me and this is not a good role model for our daughter to witness.”
Meanwhile the probation report stated that Lewis had consumed between nine and ten cans of alcohol during the day.
“He felt frustrated at the sudden change of plans, when his ex-partner said she was going to stay with her new partner,” commented the probation officer. “He felt this was rubbing his nose in things, and making a mockery of it.
“He’s remorseful of his actions and is aware of the distress it’s caused his ex-partner and his daughter.”
This was endorsed by Lewis’ solicitor, Liam Francis.
“He drank too much alcohol and things got out of control but he now wants to put this incident behind him.”
Lewis, of Brookview, Llanteg, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation requirement days. He was also ordered to pay a total of £545.
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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