Crime

Brothers sentenced for assaulting ‘Eddies’ nightclub worker

Published

5 days ago

June 25, 2024

TWO Haverfordwest brothers who assaulted an Eddies Rock nightclub employee were ‘taking out the sins of his brother’, a court heard this week.

Joshua and Kyle Hamer launched their attack on nightclub worker Alex Clancey at around midnight on December 16.

But according to the brothers’ solicitor, the Hamers carried out the assault after being told that their father had been attacked in the town’s Castle Square earlier that evening by Mr Clancey’s brother.

“They’d been out that evening but so, too, had their father who had been assaulted in Castle Square,” said solicitor David James who represented both brothers, who reside at Haroldstone Close, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest.

“[The father] was assaulted by Alex Clancey’s brother that rendered him unconscious, so tensions were running high..

“When Josh and Kyle saw Alex, they obviously took it out on him. This was the wrong thing to do and they now acknowledge that they should not have taken out the sins of the brother on another brother.”

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker informed the magistrates that Alex Clancey has been employed at the Eddies Rock Nightclub for the past seven years,

“He’d started his shift at around 10.20pm that evening, and at approximately midnight, he was asked to cross to Eddie’s other business – Labyrinth – to collect some glasses and bring them back to the club,” she said.

“As he was walking across the road he heard several males shouting at him. He knew who they were. He was approached by the defendants and was pushed towards an old building that’s situated next door to Eddies, and within a couple of seconds, Kyle ran towards him and punched him to the left eye. As a result, he was in pain.

“This was a totally unprovoked attack.”

Meanwhile solicitor David James said that both brothers have ‘a strong worth ethic’. Joshua Hamer is employed as a tree surgeon for a local company while Kyle works for an industrial mechanical engineering company based in Thornton, Milford Haven.

Both brothers pleaded guilty to joint charges of assault by beating

Kyle Hamer, 26, was fined £884 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £354 surcharge. Joshua Hamer, 23, was fined £730 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, £85 costs and a £292 surcharge.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man admits to child sex offences in court

Published

9 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Court Reporter

A MAN from Pembrokeshire, Paul Stuart Chesher, 66, has pleaded guilty to serious child sex offences at Swansea Crown Court.

Chesher, from Herbrandston, appeared in court on Friday, 21 June, where he admitted to multiple charges.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, specifically masturbation, without believing she was over 16.

These offences occurred in September 2021.

Additionally, Chesher admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with the same victim for sexual gratification, also without reasonably believing she was over 16. This communication occurred between August and October 2021.

Chesher, who has admitted all charges, is scheduled to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court next month.

Crime

Dyfed-Powys Police investigating after 20mph signs damaged and stolen

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A NUMBER of 20mph signs and also national speed limit signs have been damaged and stolen in the village of Llansawel, Llandeilo.
The most recent incident of damage/theft took place at some point between 08/06/2024 and
10/06/2024.
Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to
Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-
powys.police.uk, 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: 24000533387. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Community raises funds for former teacher’s court fine

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE community has successfully raised the funds needed to cover the court fine of former teacher Rhodri S. Jones within just 24 hours. The GoFundMe campaign, launched to support Jones after his conviction for assaulting a child at Ysgol Caer Elen, has met its £600 target.

Jones, 40, of Hayston View, Johnston, had pleaded guilty to assault by beating. He was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher, who highlighted the difficulties faced by teachers in maintaining discipline without physical interaction. Jones, described as mortified by the incident, resigned from the teaching profession following the altercation where he pushed a pupil who was being cheeky and rude.

The court fined Jones £400, with additional costs and a surcharge bringing the total to £645. No compensation order was made against the victim, with the presiding magistrate deeming it inappropriate.

The fundraiser, organised by Andrew Phillips, saw an outpouring of support from the community, quickly surpassing its goal. Donations flooded in from parents, colleagues, and local residents who felt the punishment was too severe for what they considered a minor incident.

Jones expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am overwhelmed with the support of the community, and I can’t believe how generous everyone has been. This has been a difficult time for me and my family, and this support means the world to us.”

The rapid success of the campaign highlights the strong sense of community and the high regard in which Jones is held. Supporters emphasised his dedication to teaching and lamented the loss of a valued educator from the profession.

This collective effort not only alleviates the financial burden on Jones but also sends a powerful message of community unity and support. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the challenges faced by teachers and the pressures of maintaining discipline in modern educational environments.