Crime
Pembrokeshire man threatened to headbutt wheelchair bound wife
A 52-YEAR-OLD Pembroke man has appeared before a district judge after threatening to headbutt his wheelchair-bound wife.
“Your wife is wheelchair bound and yet you made threats to headbutt her,” commented District Judge Mark Layton when imposing sentence against Edward Smith this week. “It must have been a very difficult and frightening experience for her.”
The court was told that in the early hours of May 25, Smith returned to the marital property in Adams Road, Monkton, after spending the day drinking alcohol in local pubs.
“The couple married in September last year but their relationship has been described as toxic,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Judge Layton who was sitting in Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday.
“When he drinks, he’s horrible, explosive and abusive.”
Mrs Smith was woken in the early hours of the morning, as her husband arrived home.
“She believed he was drunk, as he’d been out drinking all day,” said Ms Jackson.
“He became increasingly irate, shouting at her and being aggressive. He then walked around to his side of the bed and lay down. But he immediately got up, lunged on top of Mrs Smith and strangled her. He also squeezed her hand really hard.”
Smith then proceeded to remove his wife’s phone from her hand.
“He refused to return it and once again he jumped on her.”
Mrs Smith, who suffers from a number of undisclosed physical disabilities, managed to get out of bed but the defendant proceeded to stand directly beside her wheelchair saying “I could easily headbutt you.”
The following day police officers discovered Smith driving his vehicle along The Parade, in Pembroke.
“Officers were trying to locate his vehicle and when they stopped him they carried out a roadside breath test which proved positive,” said Ms Jackson.
Further breath tests showed Smith had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system. The prescribed legal limit is 35.
Smith, who currently resides at the Old King’s Arms, Main Street, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to charges of assault by beating and drink-driving.
He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.
“This is very difficult for my client as he’s been living in a hotel since the incident although he acknowledges that his behaviour was totally unacceptable,” he said.
“His daughter has been acting as a go-between since the incident, and there’s every chance of a reconciliation.”
Smith was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was made subject to an alcohol monitoring tag for 90 days.
He must also pay £100 compensation to the victim, £85 court costs and a £114 surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Crime
Arrest after fatal Carmarthenshire hit-and-run
A MAN has been arrested following a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire, on Monday (December 23), which claimed the life of 38-year-old Aaron Jones.
The incident happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm while Aaron was walking his dog. Police said the vehicle involved, a blue car with noticeable damage, was travelling northbound through the village at the time of the collision.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the vehicle believed to have been involved has now been located, and a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for a collision, and failing to report a collision.
Specially trained officers are supporting Aaron’s family, who have asked for privacy during this difficult time.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.”
The road remains closed while investigations continue, and residents can expect an increased police presence in the area.
Anyone with dashcam footage, doorbell camera recordings, or CCTV footage from the area is urged to check their recordings and contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.
Crime
Repeat offender jailed for breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order
A SERIAL offender who repeatedly defied a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been handed a three-year prison sentence following his latest breaches while living in Pembrokeshire.
Adrian John Thomas, 31, of no fixed abode, was originally made subject to a SHPO and notification requirements in 2017 after being convicted of offences involving a 14-year-old girl. Despite the restrictions imposed on him, Thomas has shown a persistent pattern of non-compliance.
The latest sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 19) addressed four fresh breaches of the SHPO and one count of failing to meet notification requirements.
Following his release from prison in October 2023, Thomas initially registered at an approved address in Swansea. By January, he had moved to Pembrokeshire and declared himself as having no fixed address to the police.
However, it later emerged that he had moved in with his mother, who resides in sheltered housing, without notifying authorities of his change in circumstances—a direct violation of his notification requirements.
While living with his mother, Thomas took control of her iPhone, setting up a PIN and facial recognition lock without her consent. He then used the device to create multiple social media accounts, including Instagram, Gmail, and Facebook profiles, all in clear breach of his SHPO terms.
The court heard how Thomas’s actions left his mother feeling distressed and powerless in her own home.
Prosecutors revealed Thomas’s extensive criminal history, including eight previous convictions spanning 15 offences. Between February 2019 and October 2022 alone, he breached the SHPO 11 times and once failed to comply with notification requirements, resulting in multiple prison sentences.
In mitigation, the defence argued that Thomas had shown remorse and was struggling with his mental health. They claimed he had no viable housing options other than moving in with his mother or living in a tent.
Judge Paul Thomas KC delivered a stark assessment of the defendant’s repeated disregard for court orders.
“Your track record shows a persistent determination to flout the Sexual Harm Prevention Order placed on you after a serious child sexual offence conviction,” the judge said.
“You have breached this order and notification requirements time and time again. You misled the police about your living arrangements, manipulated your mother’s phone despite her pleas, and did so while on licence from a previous sentence.”
The judge concluded: “You seem entirely undeterred by the consequences of your actions.”
Thomas was sentenced to three years in prison, with a review of the SHPO’s duration scheduled for January.
Crime
Police hunt driver after dog walker killed in Carmarthenshire hit-and-run
A PEDESTRIAN walking his dog has died after being struck in a hit-and-run collision on a Carmarthenshire road on Monday (December 23).
The incident occurred in Llanpumsaint, near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel, between 6:45pm and 7:45pm.
The road remains closed, and police are urgently appealing for information to locate the driver of a blue vehicle believed to have fled the scene.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are actively searching for the driver of a blue vehicle with noticeable damage, which was involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire. The driver left the scene, and locating them is now our top priority.
“We are appealing directly to the driver to do the right thing and come forward. Additionally, we urge anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.
“This collision, which tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian, happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm on Monday, December 23, as the man was walking his dog.
“Our investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling northbound through Llanpumsaint at the time of the incident.”
The road is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries continue. Police stress that any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in identifying and locating the driver. Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.
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