Crime
Hammer wielder denies ‘permanent obsession’ with property owner
A COURT has heard how a woman is ‘constantly looking over her shoulder’ after a man was seen waving a hammer and spitting at a CCTV camera installed in her property.
“I feel extremely intimidated,” the woman said in a victim impact statement read out to Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“I’ve done nothing wrong, but I’m concerned that this man has a permanent obsession with me, and feel I have to keep looking over my shoulder.”
Listening to the statement was defendant Jackson Hanley, 29, of Parc-y-Ddraig, Penybryn, Cardigan, who pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the CCTV camera by spitting and of using threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour likely to cause harassment to the female during the incident at Castle Terrace, Narberth, on March 10.
“The complainant was the owner of the flat which the defendant attended,” said Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker. “There had been issues previously, so the victim installed a CCTV camera.
“That night, [the defendant] turned up and called the complainant ‘a dirty f whore’. As he said those words, he waved a hammer at the camera and spat at it. As a result, the complainant now fears for her safety.”
Video footage captured by the CCTV camera was shown to the magistrates.
Hanley was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd who stressed that his client has no previous convictions.
“The complainant has said that the defendant has an obsession with her, but nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.
“There has been a longstanding, ongoing dispute between the two parties as a result of non-payment of wages and on this particular day, he hadn’t been paid for doing a day’s work.
“No threats were made directly to the complainant, however he accepts that his behaviour captured on camera was completely inappropriate.”
Hanley was fined £160 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £64 surcharge. An application to impose a restraining order which prevented Hanley from having further contact with the complainant was rejected by magistrates.
Crime
‘Sheer luck’ that out-of-control car did not hit mother and baby
IN MILFORD HAVEN a woman and her baby were on the way to the local shop on Saturday (Sept 28) when what was described at the scene as a “drunk driver” veered off the road, mounted the pavement, and struck the telegraph pole just next to them.
The pole, in Milton Crescent was damaged, causing heavy duty trunking to break off and hit the pram, damaging it, but narrowly missing the baby.
It seems Deanna Potter and her baby, Danny, were only saved by the fortunate position of the pole – which took a heavy impact – preventing the large black Audi from ploughing into them.
After the collision, the woman said, the driver “attempted to flee”, but her car was too damaged. She then exited her vehicle and walked away, “seemingly indifferent to the near-fatal accident” she had caused.
Police soon arrested the driver, and are investigating the incident.
Mother and baby are said to be doing fine, but are obviously shaken-up by the ordeal.
The police have been asked to comment. (Images: Facebook)
Crime
Man charged with possession of offensive weapon and assault
A MAN has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and common assault following an incident in the Pembrokeshire village of St Dogmaels.
David Rees, 62, is set to appear in court on 9th October in relation to the incident, which took place on 16th September and left one person with minor injuries.
Locals reported that armed police, dog units, and a police helicopter descended on the scene, creating a significant emergency response in the normally quiet village.
In a police update that evening, it was confirmed that the ‘unusual police presence’ was due to an ‘isolated incident’ which had been ‘safely resolved’. Two police patrol cars remained in the village late into the evening to reassure residents and members of the public.
An update issued by Dyfed-Powys Police on Wednesday, 25th September, confirmed they had responded to reports of an assault resulting in injury to the victim. Following their response, officers arrested and charged a man with possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and common assault in connection with the incident.
Crime
Pembrokeshire due face trial after denying assault charges
PEMBROKESHIRE residents Christopher Lewis, 42, and Jenna Allen, 37, appeared in Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Sept 27) for a plea and trial preparation hearing. The duo, both of Kensington Road, Neyland, have been charged following an incident that allegedly took place on June 25, 2023.
The pair, who were arrested following the alleged assault, have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. Lewis is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
The prosecution claims that on the date in question, he assaulted a male, causing actual bodily harm.
Meanwhile, Jenna Allen faces a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
It is alleged that she unlawfully inflicted grievous bodily harm upon a female during the same incident.
The case was previously heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in August.
During that hearing, both defendants entered not guilty pleas and were subsequently sent to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51(1) & (2)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Both Lewis and Allen were granted unconditional bail and required to attend the Crown Court hearing scheduled for today.
The hearing at Swansea Crown Court lasted approximately 30 minutes. The session, classified as a plea and trial preparation hearing, was an important procedural step in finalising the arrangements for the upcoming trial.
The trial date has been confirmed for Tuesday, 18th March 2024. The court will then hear evidence, including witness statements and medical reports related to the incident. Both defendants are required to attend the trial, where the presented evidence will allow the court to deliberate on the charges against them.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Wales (South West) is handling the case, with Abigail Jackson representing the prosecution. The defence for both defendants is led by Fenn Richards.
As of now, no victim personal statements have been provided, and no pre-sentence report (PSR) has been ordered, pending the outcome of the trial.
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