Crime
Woman with complex mental health needs jailed for spitting at police
Rose Voon, a 40-year-old woman from Aberystwyth, was sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court to three months in prison for two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. The sentences will run concurrently, and due to the five months she has already spent on remand at Eastwood Park prison, she was ordered to be released immediately following the hearing.
The case revolved around an incident on April 1, when Voon, while in custody at a police station in Aberystwyth, became aggressive, swore, and spat at two police officers and a nurse.
The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Although no physical injuries were reported, one of the officers, PC Heron, expressed significant discomfort and concern over the potential health risks associated with being spat on.
Voon, who is diagnosed as having multiple personality disorder, had been at the police station following an earlier unrelated arrest. She had a stress-induced mental health episode during that arrest, leading to her actions.
During sentencing, His Honour Judge Huw Rees emphasised the complexity of Voon’s situation, citing her extensive history of mental health challenges.
Voon’s defence team urged the court to consider these factors, arguing that she required appropriate support upon her release.
They advocated for her placement in a secure environment where she could access the necessary treatment.
The court was informed that, two days before the hearing, an assessment had been conducted to identify suitable accommodation for Voon.
However, the court also heard that no placement was currently available, and it could take several months before one becomes accessible.
The probation service recommended a limited community order focused on rehabilitation activities, acknowledging the necessity for Voon to transition from her current residence to assisted living.
Judge Rees, however, noted the lack of a clear plan for effectively managing Voon’s needs within the community.
He expressed doubt that a community order with rehabilitation activities would be sufficient, given her complex mental health issues. Despite this, he recognised the immediate need for her release due to the time she had already served in custody.
Voon’s situation remains precarious; while she requires a secure environment, such as supported accommodation, but none is currently available to her.
In his closing remarks, Judge Rees described Voon as an “extremely vulnerable individual” who had suffered significantly due to circumstances beyond her control.
He expressed hope that upon her release, she would return to her accommodation in Aberystwyth and continue working with her community mental health team and social worker.
Voon offered apologies via her counsel to all parties involved in the incident, acknowledging her misconduct and expressing remorse. She was advised to personally apologise to the officers she had assaulted if the opportunity arose.
The judge concluded by warning Voon that repeated offences could lead to longer sentences in the future. He expressed his hope that she would cooperate with those trying to help her and make the necessary changes to avoid further legal trouble. A statutory surcharge was applied, payable within six months.
Voon is expected to return to Aberystwyth, where arrangements are being made to ensure she remains in a supportive and secure environment until better residential support can be provided—support that she urgently needs.
However, the case raises a critical question: why was a person with such complex mental health issues charged and jailed for a minor offence, rather than being provided with the support she so clearly needed? Her incarceration has led to a deterioration in her mental health, including her being seriously assaulted in prison.
When asked why she had pleaded guilty to the two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, Voon revealed that she didn’t even realise she had, raising concerns about her ability to follow the legal proceedings or understand why she was in jail in the first place.
The evidence presented in court indicated that she had no memory of the incident.
Crime
Whitland fraudster admits accessing vulnerable woman’s bank account
BRUCE Nankervis, of Flat 3 Farmers Arms, Whitland, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court facing charges of fraud by false representation. The court heard that Nankervis committed the offences in April and May 2023 by accessing the bank account of Angela Chatfield, intending to cause her loss.
On 24th April 2023, 25th April 2023, and 2nd May 2023, he dishonestly accessed Chatfield’s account without her knowledge or permission, taking advantage of his position of trust. Nankervis pleaded guilty to the charges on 28th August 2024.
The magistrates sentenced Nankervis to a suspended custodial period of 24 weeks, with a supervision period of 12 months, citing his flagrant disregard for people and their property and the fact that the offences were committed against a vulnerable person. The sentence was suspended to allow for his rehabilitation, maintain his recently acquired home, and enable him to reconnect with his daughter. He was also ordered to comply with rehabilitation activity requirements for up to 15 days and perform 50 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
Additionally, Nankervis was ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, a £154 surcharge, and £1,484 in compensation to Angela Chatfield. Payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £40 starting from 16th October 2024.
Crime
Parc Prison now much more stable, says Welsh Social Justice Minister
A SOUTH Wales prison where 10 inmates have died this year has made “considerable progress” in its management, according to a Welsh government minister.
Jane Hutt, the Social Justice Minister, stated that HMP Parc in Bridgend, which houses man prisoners from Pembrokeshire, is now “much, much more stable.” The prison, operated by security company G4S, has faced allegations of drug misuse but maintains it has a “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.”
Minister Hutt said she received reassurances from Ian Barrow, who oversees the management of Welsh prisons, that there had been significant improvements at Parc following the appointment of a new director in June.
The minister announced plans to visit Parc later this month alongside the UK government’s prisons minister, Lord Timpson.
Will Styles was appointed as the new director of Parc after Heather Whitehead stepped down. Styles, who has been with G4S for a year managing HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, took over the role following Whitehead’s departure. G4S stated that her immediate exit in August 2023 was “not in response to one single incident.”
Since February, 10 inmates have died at the prison, with at least four of the deaths believed to be drug-related. In June, three prisoners were also hospitalised following disorder at the facility.
South Wales Police reported in March that a synthetic opioid, Nitazene, had been identified in connection with all four drug-related deaths, with another synthetic drug, Spice, also identified in two of the cases. G4S reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs” in response to these findings.
The deaths have sparked protests from the families of inmates who died while in custody. In May, they demonstrated outside the prison, demanding answers from authorities regarding claims of drug misuse within the facility.
At the Social Justice Questions session in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday, Conservative Senedd member Altaf Hussain expressed concerns about healthcare at Parc. In response, Jane Hutt extended her thoughts to the staff and families affected by the “deeply concerning” deaths in custody earlier this year.
Hutt stated that she met Ian Barrow last month and received “reassurances on the progress made at Parc” since the new director’s appointment. “My understanding from that meeting is that Parc has made considerable progress since the spring,” she added. “It’s now much more stable.”
She confirmed her upcoming visit to the prison with Lord Timpson on 30 September.
HMP Parc is one of the UK’s largest category B prisons, housing convicted male adult and young offenders, as well as convicted sex offenders or those awaiting trial for sex offences.
Crime
Police and Crime Commissioner preserves school safety programme
IN a determined move to protect the welfare of young people, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dafydd Llywelyn has reaffirmed his commitment to funding the dedicated Schools Programme across Dyfed-Powys, following the controversial decision by the Welsh Government to withdraw financial support earlier this year.
The decision, made in January, to cut funding caused widespread concern among schools, parents, and the community, as the programme has long been integral in providing dedicated Schools Police Officers. These officers deliver essential educational and well-being support to pupils aged 5 to 16 through a bilingual curriculum. The service not only safeguards students but also plays a crucial role in their personal development and pastoral care.
PCC Llywelyn expressed his dismay at the government’s decision, particularly noting the lack of formal consultation with police forces across Wales. Nonetheless, he swiftly intervened to ensure the continuation of the Schools Programme in the Dyfed-Powys region until the end of the previous academic year.
Having secured re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner in May, Mr Llywelyn has since worked closely with local and national partners to devise a long-term plan to secure the future of the Schools Programme. This commitment was highlighted during his visit to Ysgol Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen on Wednesday, 18th September, where he observed the implementation of the newly launched School Service.
During the visit, Mr Llywelyn stated, “The safety and well-being of our children is paramount, and the role of the School Police Officers has been vital in creating safe, supportive environments in our schools. Any reduction in support for this service risked compromising the development and security of our young people. That is why I made it a priority to ensure that the Schools Service continues in our area.”
He further emphasised, “This was one of my top commitments during my re-election campaign, and I stand by my promise to support our schools and young people. Maintaining the Schools Service is essential not only for the immediate safety and support it offers but also for the future success and well-being of our students. I will continue to fight for its future and to protect the best interests of our children.”
The importance of the Schools Programme was also supported by Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis, who highlighted the positive impact of the Schools Police Officers’ work. “I’m a strong believer in the work conducted by our Schools Police Officers – when you spend time speaking to the teams and to the schools who receive the service, their true value is clear,” said Dr Lewis. “While they do the important work of delivering lessons that help children and young people better understand complex societal matters such as violence against women and girls, they also submit referrals on matters of concern and ensure demand to our frontline response teams is cut in several ways – all while preventing unnecessary criminalisation of children.”
He added, “I share the Police and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to the Schools Service and I am delighted we are able to maintain this critical service in Dyfed-Powys.”
The Schools Programme, originally supported by the Welsh Government, has been a vital resource in delivering educational support and ensuring the well-being of students across the region. Now, thanks to Mr Llywelyn’s intervention, the future of this service appears secure in Dyfed-Powys, safeguarding the safety and success of young people for the foreseeable future.
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