Crime
Pembrokeshire man pleads guilty to stalking whilst on bail
A PEMBROKESHIRE gardener has been released from prison after admitting stalking a woman while he was on police bail.
Scott Horton, 40, made repeated visits to the home of his former partner in Harbour Way, Hakin, despite being prevented from doing so by police bail conditions.
“He turned up at her house on March 3 and again on March 8, when the complainant heard his car pulling up and saw his face through the window,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“On March 13 she had a number of missed calls from him and on March 14 he turned up at her house once again. Her neighbour sent video evidence of him being present.”
On March 21, Horton was seen turning up at her house at 5am and again at 11.40pm.
Horton was remanded in custody on March 30 after originally denying the allegation of stalking when he was brought before Swansea magistrates.
But this week Horton changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea prison.
“Being remanded in prison, and being a person of previously clean character has forced my client to reflect,” said his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.
“He accepts that his behaviour towards the lady was unacceptable but he knows, 100 per cent, that their relationship is over and he has no desire to see her nor speak to her. He just needs to get out of custody and get on with his life.”
Mr Lloyd informed magistrates that Horton works as a self-employed landscape gardener.
After considering the mitigation, magistrates allowed Horton to be released on conditional bail. The conditions are that he resides with his parents at Skomer Drive, Milford Haven; he does not enter Hakin; he is electronically monitored daily, between 7pm and 7am and he fully co-operates with the probation service.
Horton will return to Haverfordwest magistrates on April 23 to be sentenced. The adjournment was following the magistrates’ request for an all options probation report.
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.
-
News1 day ago
Ferry accident causes delay on new Dublin-Fishguard route
-
Top News6 days ago
Pembrokeshire man jailed after repeatedly punching pregnant wife
-
Top News5 days ago
Police investigate dogs seen persistently chasing sheep on Pembrokeshire airfield
-
News6 days ago
Dyfed-Powys Police launches attempted murder investigation
-
News6 days ago
Heroes of the storm: How Council workers rallied during rare red wind warning
-
Top News5 days ago
Milford man dealt ‘persistent’ blows on girlfriend after urinating in flat
-
News6 days ago
Engine room fire caused by loose fuel pipe connection previously flagged
-
News6 days ago
Children seen kicking and ‘egging’ doors near Pembrokeshire train station in early hours