Latest news with #WelshpoolMagistrates'Court
Powys County Times
28-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Welshpool man who contacted school girl avoids jail
A POWYS man has been spared prison after breaching the terms of a crown court order he received for engaging in sexual communication with a child. Shane Vickers, 31, was made the subject of a three-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in October 2022 at Mold Crown Court, after he asked a primary school-aged girl to be his girlfriend and later asked a young teenage girl to send him nude pictures on an online dating site. Vickers, described as an 'extremely' vulnerable individual who lives in a home for adults with complex health disorders in Welshpool, previously admitted breaching the order on two occasions this year. He downloaded the Snapchat app on Christmas Day last year without notifying police, and another app that allowed him to watch pornography, both of which he is prevented from doing by the crown court order. Welshpool Magistrates' Court committed Vickers' case to the higher court in March after his guilty pleas. At Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, May 28, Dylan Wagg, prosecuting, said the offences came to light on January 22 this year, after staff at the premises where Vickers lives informed police. 'The police were informed he had Snapchat on his phone,' said Mr Wagg. 'His email address was in the log in details and he admitted he'd done it around Christmas time. 'While looking at his phone, officers found he had the Blue Proxy app. He said he used it to watch pornography as his internet provider blocks him from watching it. 'He said he had been using it for about a year. The app allows users to browse privately, which is a breach of the order.' Mr Wagg said Vickers received a three-year community order at Mold in 2022 for the original offences. Acting for Vickers Simon Rogers said his client's best mitigation was his early guilty pleas. 'Police were able to see the messages he was sending and receiving, and there was no evidence to suggest he'd sought to make contact with young children,' said Mr Rogers. 'His level of functioning is extremely low. 'He would be extremely vulnerable within a prison setting. A suspended sentence would be best for both him and society at large.' Judge Rhys Rowlands told Vickers: 'Despite what you say, it was quite calculated behaviour. You were hiding your activity over a period of time. 'I draw back from immediate custody, but not without misgivings. I am persuaded that there are realistic prospects of rehabilitation." Judge Rowlands handed down a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years. In addition, Vickers will complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, as well as up to 12 sessions of a mental health treatment requirement.
Powys County Times
18-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Powys woman who threatened policeman's life spared prison
A woman who has a violent history with police officers has been spared prison for biting, kicking and scratching emergency workers and threatening to rip a policeman's head off. Georgina Whittingham, 51, said she was "disgusted" with herself after Dyfed-Powys Police had to use their PAVA spray despite her being repeatedly warned to stop assaulting officers. A year earlier she had tried to resist arrest by stamping on an officer's foot, digging her nails into his hands and biting his arm before being taken to the ground after she had been stopped driving the wrong way on a road. Chair of the magistrates' bench Anthony Jackson told the Powys woman that she would not be going to prison because of her mental health issues after she admitted three counts of assault by beating an emergency worker - but said she was in "last chance saloon". Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told on Tuesday (May 13) that PC Hewitt pulled over an Audi A1 driven by Whittingham after it was driven the wrong way in Severn Street in Welshpool on February 21 last year. "On speaking to the defendant, she was instantly verbally aggressive and refused to engage," said prosecutor Suzanne Cartwright. Whittingham then tried leaving and was arrested for refusing to engage with the officer. She then bit the officer cutting his skin through layers of clothes and called him a "f***ing w***er" and a "c***" while being placed into handcuffs. PC Hewitt told the court in a statement read by the prosecutor that he had to go to hospital for blood tests and has been left with a scar from the bite. "It's clear that she doesn't like me," PC Hewitt said. "Her actions compromise officer safety due to her aggression and hatred. "It was lucky that we were double crewed that day because I fear what would have happened if Whittingham managed to get back into her vehicle." Whittingham said during a police interview that she was "immediately apprehensive" when PC Hewitt approached her vehicle following previous "unpleasant" interactions. She said that she wanted to get away because of her complex PTSD and unstable personality disorder. On March 29 this year, police were then called to a property in Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain where they found Whittingham near her vehicle about to leave, and believed it was necessary to arrest her. Prosecutor Suzanne Cartwright said the 51-year-old then tried to bite and kick PCs Morris and Dinely as she resisted being handcuffed. After ignoring warnings and continuing to kick the officers, PC Dinely withdrew his PAVA spray. After a two-hour drive to Brecon Police Station, Whittingham told officers that she was "disgusted" with herself. She added that she "respected" the police and only harmed them because she was in a distressed state. Defence solicitor Gurleen Kaur told the court that Whittingham reacted because she felt "manhandled', and it was a "trauma response". "However, the defendant is taking proactive steps to deal and not respond," Ms Kaur explained." Ms Kaur added: "There is some form of bad blood between her and the officer although she does not justify her actions. She has entered a guilty plea expressing remorse. "The defendant would say kicking and stomping would have been accidental and queries the amount of harm given that the defendant was wearing Crocs at the time of the incident and the officer would have been wearing appropriate footwear." Whittingham, of Guilsfield, near Welshpool, was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment for assaulting PC Hewitt and 13 weeks for assaulting PCs Morris and Dinely. The concurrent sentences were suspended for 18 months. "You have a history of violence against police officers," chair of the magistrates' bench Anthony Jackson said. "You seem to have little regard for emergency workers carrying out their duties. Kicking, scratching and biting are not acceptable. These people are in a job of work and deserve our respect. "This your last chance saloon. This is it." Whittingham must pay PC Hewitt £150 compensation and £50 each to PCs Morris and Dinely, plus £238 to the court.
Powys County Times
16-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Man armed with meat tenderiser outside Tesco Welshpool
A man with "substantial" mental health issues was armed with a meat tenderiser to protect himself outside a supermarket after hearing voices in his head. Police officers drew out their Tasers at Simon Johnson who was drinking from a bottle of champagne and holding the kitchen equipment outside Tesco in Welshpool while customers were told to stay away on the evening of April 3. Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told that Johnson bought the meat tenderiser because he believed people were after him and was scared that they would cause him harm. Johnson, of no fixed abode but had been sleeping in a tent at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment which was suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. Prosecutor Suzanne Cartwright told the magistrates that Tesco store manager Duncan Borthwick noted it was "odd" that Johnson was buying a bottle of Champagne and a meat tenderiser, so he kept an eye on him. Johnson was looking "agitated" walking back and forth outside the entrance of the Mill Lane supermarket before asking Mr Borthwick to call the police because "someone was after him but didn't say who". Johnson was arrested and told police that he was scared after he hadn't taken his prescribed daily medication for a few days. The 41-year-old, who has 53 convictions for 164 offences over almost 30 years, was almost at the end of a six-month sentence which was suspended for 12 months at the time of his latest offending. The prosecutor told the magistrates that the suspended sentence must be activated unless there were exceptional circumstances. Defence solicitor Gurleen Kaur said her client's offending was contributed by his mental health issues which include psychosis, hallucinations and paranoia. Johnson had been released in February after being sectioned last year. "The defendant had a genuine belief at the time that he was being chased by somebody," Ms Kaur said. "He was stood outside the Tesco store front in case somebody came to him. He didn't intend to distress anyone or use it against anyone; only for self-defence because he had the genuine belief he was going to be attacked." She added: "He is extremely remorseful and didn't intend to hurt anyone or cause fear of violence to take place. "The exceptional circumstances are his mental health which needs addressing." The probation service told the court that despite Johnson being assessed as high risk of reoffending and harm to the public, his rehabilitation would not be successful in prison. Chair of the magistrates' bench Anthony Jackson told Johnson: "We are concerned about your mental health having what we've heard, and we acknowledge that you were sectioned a while back. "We believe that exceptional circumstances must apply and there is no worth in you being on a custodial sentence when quite clearly you need some help." The court then heard that Johnson wanted to leave Powys, where he has no family or friends, and go to Wrexham to tell the local authority that he is homeless.
Western Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
A458 Ford Fiesta driver who hit van sentenced in court
Daniel Peter Davies admitted driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday, May 6). He had previously admitted driving without insurance. The 21-year-old had been travelling along the A458 between Middletown and Trewern shortly before 7am on September 9, last year, in a Ford Fiesta when the collision happened at a set of temporary traffic lights. Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court an eyewitness had seen Davies suddenly pull out of a layby without indicating, before speeding off along the road. She continued: "He continued to accelerate and disappeared over the brow. There are a series of dips, but the witness does not believe Davies slowed as he didn't see any brake lights. "When he caught up with Davies he had gone into the back of a white van and a telegraph pole." Representing himself, Davies, of Mill Lane in Codsall, Staffordshire, said he was a project manager for a property developer and had needed his licence to travel to different sites. He explained that he did not realise he was no longer insured to drive the Ford Fiesta, which is a company car, on the day of the crash. Davies added: "I believe the prosecution is painting a bleaker picture of events of that day. "I accept I was responsible for the accident, but the driver of the van had put his hazard lights on as he perceived there was danger; I don't believe there was any signage for the traffic lights; and that road is an accident blackspot." He continued: "If I lose my licence it will be a big hardship. I work for the family business that I am trying to take over and I am in a position of trust doing five jobs in one. "I manage up to seven people. I drive 22,000 miles every year and using public transport would be very difficult." "No-one could do my job," he added. (Image: NQ) Ms Tench noted that, according to officers at the scene, signage was in place on the roadside leading up the temporary traffic lights. Dr Rachael Jones, chairman of the magistrates' bench, said: "The witness said you were driving poorly and using excessive speed. "You mentioned the van had its warning lights on, which were warning of danger and you should have taken more care." Magistrates endorsed Davies' licence with seven penalty points, taking his total to 10 points and avoiding a totting up driving disqualification. Dr Jones added: "Next time you will probably lose your licence so you have to be more careful." Davies was also fined £506 , with £85 court costs and a £202 victim surcharge. Davies told the court that the incident had been "traumatic" for him, but he has been "driving differently" since.
Powys County Times
11-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Man keeps licence after crashing into van and telegraph pole on Powys road
Daniel Peter Davies admitted driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday, May 6). He had previously admitted driving without insurance. The 21-year-old had been travelling along the A458 between Middletown and Trewern shortly before 7am on September 9, last year, in a Ford Fiesta when the collision happened at a set of temporary traffic lights. Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court an eyewitness had seen Davies suddenly pull out of a layby without indicating, before speeding off along the road. She continued: "He continued to accelerate and disappeared over the brow. There are a series of dips, but the witness does not believe Davies slowed as he didn't see any brake lights. "When he caught up with Davies he had gone into the back of a white van and a telegraph pole." OTHER NEWS: Representing himself, Davies, of Mill Lane in Codsall, Staffordshire, said he was a project manager for a property developer and had needed his licence to travel to different sites. He explained that he did not realise he was no longer insured to drive the Ford Fiesta, which is a company car, on the day of the crash. Davies added: "I believe the prosecution is painting a bleaker picture of events of that day. "I accept I was responsible for the accident, but the driver of the van had put his hazard lights on as he perceived there was danger; I don't believe there was any signage for the traffic lights; and that road is an accident blackspot." He continued: "If I lose my licence it will be a big hardship. I work for the family business that I am trying to take over and I am in a position of trust doing five jobs in one. "I manage up to seven people. I drive 22,000 miles every year and using public transport would be very difficult." "No-one could do my job," he added. (Image: NQ) Ms Tench noted that, according to officers at the scene, signage was in place on the roadside leading up the temporary traffic lights. Dr Rachael Jones, chairman of the magistrates' bench, said: "The witness said you were driving poorly and using excessive speed. "You mentioned the van had its warning lights on, which were warning of danger and you should have taken more care." Magistrates endorsed Davies' licence with seven penalty points, taking his total to 10 points and avoiding a totting up driving disqualification. Dr Jones added: "Next time you will probably lose your licence so you have to be more careful." Davies was also fined £506 , with £85 court costs and a £202 victim surcharge. Davies told the court that the incident had been "traumatic" for him, but he has been "driving differently" since.
