Crime

‘Outstanding’ rating awarded to Carmarthenshire Youth Justice Team

Published

2 months ago

March 22, 2024

HM Inspectorate of Probation have rated Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Justice Team (YJT) as ‘Outstanding’ in their newly published inspection of youth offending services in Carmarthenshire, published on Monday, 18 March 2024.

The inspection is part of HM Inspectorate of Probation’s (IOP) programme of youth justice team (YJT) inspections and have inspected and rated Carmarthenshire YJT across three broad areas: the arrangements for organisational delivery of the service, the quality of work done with children sentenced by the courts, and the quality of out-of-court disposal work.

Overall, Carmarthenshire YJT was rated as ‘Outstanding’. The IOP also inspected the quality of resettlement policy and provision, which was separately rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The inspection acknowledged that staff know and understand their children and families well, and found high-quality work being delivered. A high level of care and dedication to the staff, children, and victims accessing the service, which extends from senior leaders to operational staff was also identified.

The inspection found that the YJT has invested in its staff, offering a comprehensive training package and regular opportunities for development and progression. It is reported that staff are motivated, passionate, and their hard work is routinely acknowledged and rewarded. The management board is invested in the YJT; has continually advocated for the service and proactively supported it in achieving the best outcomes for children, families, and victims.

The report noted that the YJT is highly respected within the partnership. Strong, vibrant and consistent leadership has enabled the service to operationalise its vision and strategy effectively. It found that there is a commitment to meeting the protected characteristics of those children the service works with. Whilst some elements of this are still in the early stages, they are showing promise.

Provision for Welsh speakers is well established. There are mature and cohesive partnership arrangements which enable children and families to access a range of services. These includes speech, language, and communication therapy, wraparound education support, and specialist intervention for children involved in sexually harmful behaviour. Partnership provision has also secured seconded staff from police and probation based within the YJT.

The IOP accredited the reparation provision as impressive; pointing to the work that the service has done with the community to identify and deliver meaningful and impactful projects. Children have been able to develop skills as well as engaging in restorative justice.

The findings of the IOP saw that the YJT proactively seeks opportunities to learn and improve the services it provides from the wider sector. This includes work with police partners in adopting and localising an approach for care-experienced children to avoid unnecessary criminalisation and contact with the justice system.

Finally, the inspection concluded that there is a robust quality assurance framework which has driven high-quality practice and casework. Management oversight is effective and evidenced in strong results from the post-court, out-of-court and resettlement inspection case samples.

Director of Community Services for Carmarthenshire County Council, Jake Morgan and Director of Education and Children’s Services, Gareth Morgans said: “We are incredibly proud of each and every member of our Youth Justice Team and grateful for their incredibly important work, which they conduct to very highest standards.

“Carmarthenshire Youth Justice Team are leaders in their sector and play an integral role within the local authority’s wellbeing objective of enabling our children and young people to have the best possible start in life.”

Crime

Re-elected Crime Commissioner embarks on new term in office

Published

6 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RE-ELECTED Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dafydd Llywelyn begun his new term in office this week with a series of key meetings aimed at shaping his strategic vision for the region’s policing priorities over the next four years.

The Commissioner’s first official day was Thursday 9^th of May, and saw key discussions taking place, beginning with a meeting with the Chief Constable to gain an update from Dyfed-Powys Police on operational matters, and also to outline his vision and priorities for the new term in Office.

In addition, the Commissioner met with staff from his Office for discussions on the development of a new Police and Crime Plan for Dyfed-Powys for 2025-2029. The Police and Crime Plan will be the strategic blueprint that will represent the Commissioner’s vision and priorities, further reinforcing his dedication to delivering effective and efficient policing services tailored to the needs and expectations of our diverse communities.

In coming weeks, the Commissioner’s Office will launch a public consultation on the new Police and Crime Plan, whereby the public will have an opportunity to have their say on policing and crime matters in their area. Online questionnaires and focus groups will form part of the consultation, to ensure that the Office provides plenty of opportunities for communities to have their say.

Reflecting on his ambitions for the upcoming term, Mr Llywelyn expressed that his focus will be on improving public confidence and trust in policing: “I am honoured to be re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys for my third successive term.

“As I start this new term in Office, I am committed to build on the achievements to date and address the challenges that lie ahead.

“My vision is clear: to develop safer communities for all through proactive crime prevention and ensuring a justice system that is both fair and efficient.

“I will work in collaboration with the Force and other criminal agency partners to ensure transparency and accountability, to ensure that we can we work collectively to improve public trust and confidence in policing.

“Your safety will continue to be my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police area remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England”.

Crime

Haverfordwest man faces drug charges in Crown Court

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest has been formally charged with multiple drug-related offences, including the possession and intent to supply cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. Owen Maddocks, residing at Hywel Road, will soon make a court appearance at Swansea Crown Court to respond to the charges.

Maddocks stands accused of possessing cocaine with intent to supply on April 5 and similarly for MDMA on June 15 of the previous year. On the same dates, he also allegedly intended to supply cannabis, leading to additional charges.

Furthermore, the allegations against Maddocks include the possession of criminal property, specifically £4,905 in cash, which was seized on June 15.

After appearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on May 3, Maddocks was granted bail. He is scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 10, where he will enter his pleas.

Crime

Father jailed for assaulting daughter during work trip

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A FATHER has been imprisoned after he assaulted his 19-year-old daughter during a business trip in Tenby. Nathan Smith, 41, of Salcot Crescent, Croydon, was staying with his daughter, Shania Smith, at Penally Manor near Christmas.

The incident occurred around 2 pm on Sunday, December 17, when, according to the prosecutor Regan Walters, an altercation broke out between the two. Ms Smith confided in a colleague that she was being annoyed by her father. Mr. Walters stated that Mr. Smith overheard the conversation and summoned his daughter to his room to discuss her comments.

During the confrontation, Ms Smith insisted she was not disrespecting her father, who then physically assaulted her. “The defendant grabbed her by the neck using both hands,” Mr. Walters explained, noting that she could still breathe. The altercation escalated as Mr. Smith pushed his daughter against a wall and dragged her back into the room when she tried to leave.

Colleagues intervened after hearing the commotion, and although Ms Smith attempted to contact the police, she was unable to due to a lack of signal. Authorities arrived approximately four hours later.

In a statement to the court, Ms Smith expressed her disillusionment with her father’s actions, stating, “I felt so let down” and “I just don’t feel safe.”

Mr. Smith, who has a history of seven previous convictions involving 15 offences, admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm but denied a charge of strangulation. His plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Defence solicitor James McKenna described the incident as spontaneous and impulsive, saying, “This is a situation that should have never ever occurred. He is appalled by it.”

The court sentenced Mr. Smith to 14 months in prison and issued a three-year restraining order to protect his daughter, underscoring the severity of the familial breach.