Crime
Custodial sentence for Neyland fisherman
PASSING a sea survival course has resulted in a custodial sentence for a Pembrokeshire fisherman after he admitted using threatening behaviour towards staff at the Silverdale homeless lodge.
Brandon Pugh was told earlier this month that he had successfully passed the sea survival course after serving an apprenticeship on a fishing boat operating from Neyland Marina.
But after drinking to excess to celebrate his success, Pugh returned to the Silverdale Lodg in Johnston, where he had been residing for the previous 24 hours.
“He was absolutely thrilled that he could finally see a future opening up before him,” his solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“So what did he do? He got intoxicated to the point where he couldn’t remember anything.”
Pugh reached Silverdale just before 1.30am on April 24, and confronted a female staff worker who believed he had taken a dislike to her during their meeting the previous day.
“She was typing up notes when she heard a knock on the door,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.
“She heard a male voice and recognised it as Brandon Pugh. She asked him to hold on while she waited for her colleague to come back as she didn’t feel comfortable engaging with the defendant on her own. She had met him only once, and didn’t think he liked her.”
But Pugh then began kicking the door whilst shouting, “I’m going to end you.”
“I took his threats literally, as his manner and demeanour made me feel uncomfortable,” said the Silverdale Lodge victim in a statement she made to the police.
“I felt that if he was going to open the door, he would harm me.”
The court was told by probation officer Julie Norman that the offence was committed whilst Pugh was the subject of a two-year suspended prison sentence for a common assault conviction in January 2023.
“There’s a pattern of violent offences here, with the result that I request he be sent to custody,” she said.
But solicitor Tom Lloyd urged magistrates to apply leniency in their sentence.
“His background is extremely troubled and he is an extremely vulnerable individual,” he said. “Since a very young age he’s been pushed into doing things that he didn’t want to do, and this has been the story of his life.
“At last he’s been given the chance to work on a fishing boat, things have gone very well, and this is the main reason he’s kept out of trouble.
“But that night he got very intoxicated and said things that he didn’t mean. He’s embarrassed by what happened.”
However after considering the mitigation, magistrates sentenced Pugh to 24 weeks in custody. He was also ordered to pay £239.
“Despite how it looks today, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said presiding magistrate Mary Smith. “When you come out of custody you’ll be able to pick up the pieces and get on with your fishing career.”
Crime
Arrest made following report of sexual assault in Haverfordwest
DETECTIVES in Haverfordwest are appealing for witnesses following a report of a sexual assault which occurred at approximately 10:00pm-11:30pm on Thursday (May 16) in the vicinity of Dew St, Haverfordwest.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
The police have asked that anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area at the time and may have information that could help officers with enquiries, is asked to contact police.
Police can be contacted either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference:427 of 16th
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
Crime
Four young Pembrokeshire men arrested on suspicion of rape
DETECTIVES looking into a serious allegation of rape and sexual assault that took place in Saundersfoot on Saturday (May 11) have made arrests, The Herald can confirm.
Four males, aged 22, 21, 20 and 19 were arrested on suspicion of rape. They have now been released pending further enquiries.
A police spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald on Thursday (May 16): “Dyfed Powys is investigating an allegation of rape and sexual assault that took place in Saundersfoot on May 11. The victim is being supported by specialist officers.
“Four men, aged 22, 21, 20 and 19 have been arrested on suspicion of rape. All four have been released on conditional bail pending further police enquiries.
Crime
Father must stay out of trouble be jailed, says judge
A FATHER who attacked his then-girlfriend in a violent outburst has been sentenced to a suspended prison term, with the warning that any further trouble will result in jail time.
Christopher Bendall, 33, of Great Eastern Terrace, Neyland, must remain law-abiding for the next 18 months or serve a 12-month prison sentence for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 6 August 2022, when Bendall returned home after a night out. His then-girlfriend, who had also been out separately, entered his unlocked home at approximately 4.20am. Upon waking Bendall, she questioned him about messages from another woman found on his phone. The confrontation escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical altercation.
Bendall threw a footstool and the victim’s mobile phone at her, both of which missed. He then pushed her to the floor, dragged her by her hair, slapped her face, and dragged her into the hallway. The victim managed to escape by grabbing Bendall by his testicles, causing him to release her grip. She fled the property, taking Bendall’s mobile phone with her.
Following the assault, Bendall called 999, accusing the woman of attacking him. Police initially arrested her but released her after noticing her injuries, which included carpet burns, bruises, and redness. Bendall was then arrested.
The court heard that this was not the first assault. In May, Bendall had thrown his mobile phone at the woman, breaking her finger.
Bendall initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to the two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Three other charges, including controlling or coercive behaviour, assault by beating, and strangulation, were dropped, and not guilty verdicts were formally entered for these counts.
In her victim impact statement, the woman revealed that she had been seeing a counsellor and was on anxiety medication following the assaults. She expressed that she still struggled to feel normal and feared going out alone.
Bendall’s defence highlighted that he was a father of three, a successful solar electrician, and previously of clean character. They noted that he was a good father, very involved with his children, and had well-paid employment. It was also stated that he had abstained from alcohol and had no further incidents since August 2022.
Judge Mr Recorder D Elias KC took into account Bendall’s plea, a pre-sentence report, and two character references. He acknowledged the psychological harm caused to the victim and described the injuries from the second assault as ‘nasty.’
Bendall was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to attend a Building Better Relationships course, undertake ten days of rehabilitation activity, and complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £1,500 in court costs and a £156 victim surcharge within six months.
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