13-05-2025
Powys man jailed just 12 days after suspended sentence
A LLANDRINDOD Wells man has been jailed after police were called to a relative's house following a domestic disturbance, in which he had been smashing plates over his own head.
Michael Martin, 31, was jailed at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday, May 12, after he told police he had knuckledusters in the house.
The incident came just 12 days after Martin had received a suspended jail sentence for threatening family members while brandishing an axe and a baseball bat, posting videos of this on Facebook stories.
Martin, of Glan Yr Ithon, Llandrindod, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an offensive weapon on March 31. He admitted the offence put him in breach of a suspended sentence he received at Merthyr Crown Court on March 17; this was for two counts of sending communication threatening death or serious harm.
Alexandra Wilson, prosecuting, said Martin had been on remand at HMP Swansea since his arrest for the latest incident, which occurred on March 29.
'He entered a guilty plea to possessing an offensive weapon; this was committed during the suspended sentence order, and the case was committed to the crown court,' she said.
'At around 8.30pm officers were called to an address in Llandrindod, regarding a domestic incident.
'The defendant was in the hallway, he had cuts on his face and head. There had been a verbal argument with a relative, and he had been smashing plates over his own head.
'They believed he was under the influence, due to his slurred speech and he smelt of intoxicants.
'He was arrested on criminal damage, then he told police there were knuckledusters located on shelves in the living room. He told officers it was his.'
Ms Wilson said Martin told police he had owned the knuckledusters for a number of years, having bought them online. He was unsure if they were illegal.
Elin Morgan, representing Martin, said her client 'fully appreciates the gravity of the situation'.
'I'd invite your honour to stray away from activation (of the suspended sentence),' she said.
'He was arrested 12 days after the suspended sentence order. He stated he had had the knuckledusters for some time. He was hesitant as to how to get rid of it without getting in trouble.
'He has attended two sessions with probation after the order, he has complied in the little time he was at liberty. There hasn't been sufficient time to see any effects of the order.'
She said Martin was 'entrenched' in problems with alcohol and has been taking medication in prison to abstain from alcohol.
Regarding the incident, she said: 'He was not threatening family members; when police arrived he told them he was smashing plates over his head as punishment for falling out with a relative.
'This is a very serious hiccup, but I would ask you to continue to allow him to improve himself in the community.'
Judge Richard Kember said the offence had passed the custody threshold and jailed Martin for 12 weeks.
He activated the previous suspended sentence, one of 12 months, and the additional 12 weeks is to be served consecutively to this – making a total sentence of 15 months in jail.
