Crime

Tenby businessman jailed for sustained and merciless attack on ex-partner

Published

2 months ago

October 1, 2024

A BUSINESSMAN from Tenby has been jailed for a brutal assault on his former partner. Oliver Torkington, 39, who manages call centres, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation in relation to the attack that took place at an address in St Clears on March 23. Torkington had denied the charges but was convicted following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that Torkington attacked his girlfriend out of “paranoid jealousy” after seeing her speaking to a doorman during a night out. His jealousy was further fuelled by the fact that his partner had seen another man during a break in their relationship.

Summing up the evidence presented at trial, Judge Paul Thomas KC described the incident as “a brutal, sustained and merciless attack.” Addressing Torkington, the judge said, “She was very drunk and defenceless in your flat. You strangled her, punched her, and stamped on her head. You also thrashed her savagely and repeatedly with a thin piece of metal.”

The victim suffered a broken finger and continues to suffer from ringing in her ear, a lasting impact from the attack. The court also heard that Torkington had confiscated his partner’s phone during the assault, preventing her from calling for help.

Prosecutor Jon Tarrant revealed that Torkington, who was living on Pembroke Road in Haverfordwest at the time, has a significant criminal record. He has 16 previous convictions for 24 offences, including 12 offences involving violence.

In mitigation, Harriet Ealden, representing Torkington, described the attack as “impulsive and spontaneous,” emphasising that there was no premeditation involved. “All of these matters appear to be linked with drinking and perhaps illicit substances,” Ms Ealden stated. “Since this incident, he has taken steps to address that. He informs me he is six months clean and sober. It has certainly woken him up.”

Ms Ealden also noted that Torkington had completed a drug rehabilitation course while on remand and highlighted that his previous convictions for violence were not related to domestic incidents. She added that at the time of the assault, Torkington was “in a poor place” and faced losing his house, car, and job.

However, Judge Thomas was unswayed by the mitigation, branding Torkington “a coward as well as a bully.” He went on to say, “The simple fact is that you do not have the guts to admit what you have done. I wonder how you would feel if any man treated your daughter how you treated your partner in this case.”

Torkington was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for the assault, with an additional 20-month concurrent sentence for strangulation. In addition, a five-year restraining order was granted to his ex-partner, prohibiting him from contacting her.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.

“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.