News
Man jailed after scarring police officer in Narberth altercation
A 29-YEAR-OLD Narberth man has been jailed after admitting assaulting a police officer causing a deep wound to his forehead and a permanent scar.
“Whilst I realise there are high risks attached to being a serving police officer, I don’t want to come to work fearing for my safety,” Pc Jenkins stated in a victim impact statement read out to District Judge Mark Layton at a court hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.
“This has now left me with a scar on my forehead.”
Officers were called to a flat in High Street, Narberth on the evening of September 8, 2023 as a result of what Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson described as ‘an ongoing incident’ between Dilan Anderson and his girlfriend, Lisa Roberts.
“The defendant [Anderson] was shouting at his girlfriend and was told to calm down,” Ms Jackson told the court.
“But he began walking towards the officers in a very aggressive manner. He was asked to move away but he ignored the request.”
Ms Jackson said that following repeated attempts to hold him back, Anderson swung his right arm towards the officers.
“He was placed on the floor with handcuffs, but he turned around and struck Pc Jenkins, resulting in blood coming from the wound.”
Photographs displayed to Judge Layton showed a deep wound to the left of the officer’s right eye.
Following the incident, Anderson was placed on police bail but on January 31 the bail was breached as the result of another altercation between him and his girlfriend at her flat in College Court, Haverfordwest.
“An argument broke out at around 6pm about his excessive drinking, when he became verbally abusive,” said Ms Jackson, for the Crown.
“The defendant went to bed but he woke up at around 1.30am and asked for his girlfriend’s mobile phone.
“When she asked him why he wanted it, he raised his left hand and slapped her to her cheek which caused redness and a constant ringing in her ear.”
Anderson then proceeded to throw two large bottles at her brother’s bedroom door.
“The complainant left the bedroom and the defendant appeared to calm down, but shortly afterwards she heard smashing sounds coming from the living room and then heard the front door being slammed shut,” continued Abigail Jackson. “She later discovered that damage had been caused to the television and a screw driver was found near it and that a blue mobile phone that belonged to her and been taken.”
Anderson admitted ‘stabbing’ the tv with the screwdriver, but claimed the damage this caused was minor.
“This has caused me to be very distressed as I don’t know what he’s playing at,” Ms Roberts said in a victim impact statement that was read to the court.
“He’s very unpredictable and difficult to manage.”
Anderson pleaded guilty to assaulting the police officer causing actual bodily harm, stealing Ms Roberts’ mobile phone, causing criminal damage to her property and assaulting her by beating. He was represented in court by solicitor Mr David Williams.
“My client accepts the precariousness of his position,” he told the court.
Anderson was sentenced to a total of 24 weeks in custody.
He was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Pc Jenkins, £100 compensation to Ms Roberts, £150 as a result of the damage caused to the tv and £40 for the damage caused to the bedroom door.
He was also ordered to pay £170 court costs and a £154 surcharge.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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.”
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