Latest news with #Sprunks
Powys County Times
19 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Ban for Llandrindod man who only passed test in January
A POWYS man who only passed his driving test in January has had his licence taken off him, after he was convicted of drink driving. Isaac Chawasarira, 39, was found 'rolling back towards the road' by police who had been contacted following concerns regarding his manner of driving in Llandrindod Wells in the early hours of May 3. He was arrested after failing a roadside breath test, with Chawasarira found to be more than double the drink drive limit. Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday, June 3, that Chawasarira, a Zimbabwe national who came to the UK in 2012 as an asylum seeker, had only passed his driving test four months previously. He pleaded guilty to one charge of drink driving at this week's hearing. Prosecutor James Sprunks said police received a call at around 4am regarding the manner of Chawasarira's driving in the town centre. 'His grey Mercedes was spotted by police,' said Mr Sprunks. 'Its headlights were on and it was parked on the side of Spa Road. He was seen to slowly be reversing up a lane. 'PC Davies approached him and he started rolling back towards the road, near the Log Cabin. He shouted at the driver to brake. He didn't appear to have full control. 'He got out and the officer smelt intoxicants. He was slurring his words and struggling to find the right ones. 'He failed a roadside breath test and made repeated comments about being drunk.' Mr Sprunks said the defendant has no previous convictions. A reading provided by Chawasarira showed 81 micrograms of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms. Representing Chawasarira, of High Street, Llandrindod, Simon Collingham, said: 'The first thing he'd like to say is how utterly ashamed he is of his behaviour. He is thoroughly ashamed. 'The only saving grace is that no-one was injured. 'He had parked his car earlier in the day, in a restricted area. He didn't want to move car in the morning, as he was getting up early for work, so he decided to move it. It was an extremely poor error in judgement. 'He is a Zimbabwe national, who came to the UK in 2012 as an asylum seeker, where he was repatriated with other family members. 'He has worked various jobs and now works for National Rail, doing track maintenance. He is highly regarded by those who work with him. 'This has had a devastating impact on him. He only passed test in January. He won't lose his job as he is not allowed to drive for National Rail currently, as he's a new and inexperienced driver. 'This is a gentleman the court will probably never see again.' Magistrates disqualified Chawasarira from driving for 20 months; he can reduce this ban by completing a drink driving rehabilitation course. He was fined £600 and must also pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Powys County Times
Rhayader man harassed ex through TV and ring doorbell camera
A POWYS man harassed his ex-girlfriend by speaking to her through her ring doorbell camera and logging into her television to post obscene messages. Over a month-long period in January, Jamie Hughes bombarded his ex with emails, followed her around Llandrindod Wells and threatened to slash her car tyres, leaving her filled with 'anxiety and dread'. Following their break-up, Hughes moved out their home but would access her ring doorbell via his phone and try to speak to her. He accessed her TV while she was in the house and left an obscene message on the screen, leaving her fearing she was being constantly watched via camera in her home. Hughes, 30, admitted a charge of harassment without violence before Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 3. The charge states Hughes, of Maes Brenin, Rhayader, pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment, in that he sent inappropriate messages, unwanted and threatening emails and followed her. Prosecutor James Sprunks said Hughes was reported to police for harassment after the relationship ended on January 4. 'She asked him to remove himself from the app and give her the log-in details, but he refused," Mr Sprunks said. "He would contact her through the camera, asking to speak to her. 'He would ask her 'Who you seeing' and told her 'I know you had a lad around last night'. 'She also employed him for a week after the break-up but he kept contacting her for unrelated matters so she had to make him unemployed. 'He would send her abusive and urgent 'call me' emails. She repeatedly told the defendant she didn't want any contact. 'On one occasion she accidentally ordered a takeaway using his bank details. He wanted his money back and she said she would, on condition that he send her the log-in details. 'He told her 'If you don't give me the money back I'll slash your tyres'.' Mr Sprunks said Hughes was even able to access his victim's TV via an app, and left an offensive message. 'He was accessing the TV through an app. The TV would randomly turn itself off. 'She would go to work at a hotel and would often see him walking past. He would then send an email asking who she was meeting. He followed her into a car park once. 'She blocked the defendant on all platforms, but she couldn't on email. He hacked her Facebook account and blocked various friends and family. 'She said she always feels he's watching her through the cameras, which made her feel distressed.' Mr Sprunks read out a victim impact statement which said: "This has caused me the worst anxiety I've ever felt. 'I hope one day I can recover from this and he will understand the impact he's had and how much he's damaged my life.' Michelle Thomas, representing Hughes, asked magistrates for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. 'He has an elderly grandmother who he cares for and he has information to give to the probation service,' she said. Magistrates ordered the report and told Hughes to return to court for sentence on June 24.
