The Chronicles of Ruination 2: February 2016

Monday, February 29, 2016

South Wales ,UK - Sharp increase in the number of deliberately-lit fires in Wales, report reveals

Huge numbers of grass fires last April may have contributed to the total number of deliberate fires jumping by nearly 60% in a year to the highest number for five years.

The total number of deliberately-lit fires in Wales jumped by nearly 60% last year, a report from the Welsh Government has revealed.

It is thought the huge number of grass fires in April 2015 may have contributed to this dramatic increase.

There were 2,826 deliberately-lit secondary fires between April and June 2015, making it the highest number in five years, since 3,704 in 2011.

70-80% of overall fires were deliberate

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended more than 7,000 fires between April and September, an increase of 5%.

Fire crews put out a grass fire in Abercynon

Head of community safety and partnerships at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Garry Davies, said 70-80% of attended fires each year were deliberate.

“These deliberately-lit fires are an issue because they’re avoidable events,” he said.

“We can’t continue at this rate because the cost and impact to society is too much.”

Seven fire deaths

There were seven fire deaths in Wales between April and September last year, 140 injuries and a further 150 people received first aid.

Fire crews put out a grass fire in Tylorstown

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have outlined their strategy moving forward this year, and it is targeted primarily at primary school-aged children.

Station manager of the South Wales Fire and Crime Unit Mark Williams said they are trying a new strategy this year.

“In the past, we’ve done education with children of various ages but we’ve realised that’s maybe not working,” he said.

“This year, we’re targeting children of 10 and 11 years of age in the Rhondda Cynon Taffarea with our primary school road show.

“We also have children coming to the station. It’s all about interacting with the firefighters and seeing the faces of people who are directly affected.”

see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/sharp-increase-number-deliberately-lit-10961749

Anglesey,Machynlleth,North Wales -Hugging tree decorated in memory of murdered schoolgirl has been vandalised

Coral Jones inspects damage to the hugging tree on Sunday morning (left) which was re-decorated by local people last May (right)

A hugging tree created in memory of murdered schoolgirl April Jones has been vandalised.

Coral Jones, April’s mother, has spoken of her anger at the damage to the knitted patchwork decoration on the tree, which she says must have happened between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The tree, on Penrach Hill near Machynlleth, was originally decorated in a series of pink knitted squares created by people in the community, intended to provide a place for people go and reflect and also leave messages for April.

The hugging tree was created in memory of April Jones, left

It was re-decorated most recently before Christmas, with items and messages received following an overwhelming response to a Facebook campaign.

But damage to the tree’s decorations was found on Sunday morning by April’s father Paul.

'People’s hard work has gone into it'

Coral said: “The damage has been done between last night [Saturday] and this morning. My husband walked up there with the dog and found it ripped. We are not happy about it at all.

“People’s hard work has gone into that to send us the squares and to put it together.

“I don’t know who started it originally, but it was when April went missing.”

Mark Bridger kidnapped five-year-old April in Machynlleth before murdering her and disposing of her body in October 2012. He is serving a whole-life term in prison.

Coral said items from around the world have been sent to decorate the tree in April’s memory.

'It's definitely been ripped by someone'

“People enjoy doing it,” she added. “It’s something different. Before, all the patches were pink and now it’s rainbow-coloured. We’ve been sent teddy bears, messages, patches with April’s name on and wind chimes.

“Lots of people have sent them from all over the place – Wales, England and abroad.

The hugging tree in memory of April Jones, when it was being re-decorated in May 2015

“It’s definitely been ripped by someone. I went to see it today with my friend Cathy, who was one of the people who decorated it last summer.

“The damage couldn’t have been done by the weather – we didn’t have bad weather last night.

More: April Jones' grandfather backs Brexit to end European meddling in British courts

“What thrill do people get out of vandalising it? People we’ve told are very angry about it.”

Jo James, one of the people behind the ‘Our lil Welsh Princess April Jones forever in our hearts’ Facebook page, added they will be asking people to send more items in order to re-decorate the tree.

see- http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/hugging-tree-decorated-memory-murdered-10962858

Holywell,North Wales - Newsagent in knifepoint robbery two weeks after taking on shop

Shopowner Ffiona Craig, 52, was threatened at knifepoint at her store in Holywell

A shopkeeper was threatened at knifepoint in a daylight robbery yesterday after only owning the shop for two weeks.

Fiona Craig, the new owner of Pen y Maes Newsagents in Bryn y Gwynt, Holywell , was approached by the armed robber on Saturday afternoon.

He entered the store at around 3pm, put the knife over the till and said “give me the cash.”

The fifty two year old then opened the till and the man, who had a scarf covering his face, snatched the money and ran out of the shop and down a side alley way.

Mrs Craig, who was alone at the time, said: “I think he was waiting for the woman to shut her hairdressing shop next door before coming in.

“When he asked for the cash I was taken aback, I didn’t realise what was happening.

“He repeated himself so I opened the till and gave him what he was asking for.

Holywell heroin addict nearly crushed policeman with stolen three-wheeler

“It was only a matter of seconds but it felt like a lifetime.

“I’m very shaken up and nervous, every time someone comes in now I’m on edge.”

Mrs Craig, a mother of two, described the suspect as being white, 5’2, slim and softly spoken.

She said he was wearing a dark hoodie and tracksuit bottoms with a scarf over his face.

Rhyl newsagent attempted robbery accused appears in court

Mrs Craig added: “Nothing like this has ever happened here, it’s very out of the ordinary.”

Mrs Craig and her husband previously owned the Pen y Maes Newsagents, but they sold it six years ago before recently decided to purchase it back.

North Wales Police has now issued an appeal for witnesses to the incident.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to a robbery which occurred on the afternoon of Saturday 27 February in the Holywell area.

“The incident took place at Pen y Maes Newsagents in Bryn y Gwynt, Holywell at around 3pm.

“Anyone who saw or heard anything, or has any information, in connection with this incident is asked to call 101 quoting ref U028584.”

see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/holywell-newsagent-knifepoint-robbery-two-10961850

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Pentre Halkyn, Flintshire,North Wales - Disabled Flintshire dad disowns son who barged into home to attack him

A disabled dad has disowned the drug-addled son who forced his way into his home and attacked him.

Nicholas Andrew Lyon, 33, was jailed for 18 months at Mold Crown Court for the attack on father Nicholas Lion Snr.

An indefinite restraining order was made under which he is not to approach his parents, Nicholas Lyon, 62,and Susan Lyon, 56, in any way, and he is not to go within 100 metres of their home at Bryn Awel in Pentre Halkyn , Flintshire .

In a heart-breaking victim impact statement the dad told how he never wanted to see his son again.

He told how the arthritis in his neck had become worse since the attack which caused him pain and discomfort.

His anxiety had increased, he had trouble sleeping and said he could not believe how a son could attack his disabled father, something which he found truly upsetting.

But he added: “I no longer consider him to be a son of mine. I hope never to see him again in my life.”

Prosecuting barrister James Coutts told how the defendant was a man of no fixed abode who at times lived in a tent.

They tried to support him and provided him with food but he was not allowed to go to their home when he was drunk because of previous problems.

The father had a heart condition and suffered from panic attacks.

READ: Mum of Gwynedd man who stole from his grieving grandmother defends her son

On New Year’s Eve the defendant knocked on the door but because of his conditions was now allowed in by his mother.

After some time his father shut the front door and locked it but the defendant kicked the door, shouted and swore loudly and then broke a pane of glass in the living room window and climbed in.

Mr Lyon senior, fearing for his safety, went to the back door but the defendant grabbed him in a head lock and kneed him to the lower back five times.

The victim blacked out and recalled feeling his heart beating quickly, he had chest pains and he was struggling to breathe.

Mrs Lyon went next door to get help and the defendant made good his escape.

During a 999 call the father could be heard saying “get off me, get off me.”

The defendant sent a former partner text messages in which he said he was on the run from the police, that he was going to prison, and how he had beaten up his dad.

Arrested and interviewed, he told how he had taken alcohol and ecstasy and initially denied assaulting his father, claiming that he had tried to help him.

READ: North Wales judge brands defendant a 'one man crime wave'

Defending barrister Simon Rogers said that his client had a poor criminal past and it was conceded that he had caused unpleasant injuries against someone who had shown him kindness.

The defendant had been seen in the past by the mental health services for anxiety and depression.

Alcohol was the root problem, he was an alcoholic, and a constructive sentence would be assistance under a community order.

Judge David Hale told the defendant: “This was an extremely unpleasant attack on your own father. Drink is your problem. Until you come to terms with that you are going to carry on doing things like this.”

see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/disabled-flintshire-dad-disowns-son-10961120

Conwy,North Wales - Bodnant Welsh Food Centre gets slap on wrist for 'incorrect' Welsh gammon label

The ham joint from Bodnant Welsh Food Centre which came from Belgium

An award winning farm shop has received a slap on the wrist from trading standards after officers confirmed they had “incorrectly” labelled their gammon as being of Welsh origin.

The £6m Bodnant Welsh Food Centre was forced to apologise to Conwy resident Sandra Birch last month after she found the “Welsh” gammon she was hoping to enjoy over Christmas turned out to be from Belgium.

It saw trading standards officers from Conwy council launch an investigation into the matter at the Conwy Valley centre.

Now they have concluded that probe, and issued written advice to Bodnant.

A council spokeswoman said: “Officers have completed their investigation into the circumstances of the case.

READ: Bodnant Welsh Food Centre hopes to sell Welsh-reared gammon after Belgian meat row

“The country of origin on the label was incorrect, it should have read ‘Belgium’.

“However, the gammon was cured in Wales and as such it can be described as a ‘Welsh Cured’ Gammon Joint.

“The food business operator (Bodnant Welsh Foods) contacted the department for advice and officers visited the premises on 7th January 2016.

“We can confirm that the label on the product had already been amended prior to our visit to give the correct Country of Origin.

“Trading Standards have issued written advice to Bodnant Welsh Foods and have their assurance that they have taken all appropriate steps.”

Newly appointed Bodnant Welsh Food Centre operations director Conrad Jones said: “We would like to apologise to our customers, and regret that on this occasion we fell below the high standards that we set ourselves and that our customers can expect.

Conrad Jones from Mold is the operations director of Bodnant Welsh Food Centre in the Conwy Valley

“As quickly as we could, we contacted Conwy Council for advice and we have taken all appropriate steps to make sure this will not happen again.

“We are fully committed to promoting Welsh produce at Bodnant Welsh Food and all our fresh lamb, beef and pork is sourced directly from Wales, much of it from local farmers.

“Having been appointed recently, I would like to assure our customers that we will continue to work with Welsh suppliers in future.

“We also have some exciting new developments in the pipeline and we will be able to provide more details about them soon.”

see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/bodnant-welsh-food-centre-gets-10957194

Wrexham,North Wales - Disabled Wrexham woman confront man moments after he smashes her car 'to bits'

26 FEB 2016
BY SARAH HODGSON

Maciey Blandzinski was jailed at Flintshire magistrates court last month after admitting the act of vandalism in a bid to get deported to his native Poland

Shocking moment a disabled woman angrily confronts a man after he trashed her family’s car in Wrexham.

The woman spotted the man attacking her Vauxhall Corsa car and filmed the destruction which showed smashed windows and dented body work costing hundreds to repair.

It is believed the film, which shows the pair rowing in the car park at Wrexham’s Waterworld, was released online by a woman who reported the vandalism to police.

When questioned by the woman as to why he damaged her car, which was parked in a disabled space, the man claims that he wanted to be deported.

She can be heard saying: “Are you for real? You’re covered in blood, you have just smashed my wife’s car which she is learning to drive in to bits. My child’s car seat is in that car! Look at me!”

Maciey Blandzinski (left) smashed the windows and dented the body of the Vauxhall Corsa (right)

The clip cuts off after five minutes when the man fled the scene.

When the case of Maciey Blandzinski came to Flintshire magistrates’ court last month , he said he had ruined the car because he was living on the streets and desperate to be deported to his native Poland.

The court heard that the victim was an MS sufferer who parked her car in a disabled bay while she and her partner went to a fair with the children.

After about half an hour she felt unwell and went to the nearby Waterworld cafe to have a rest, but she realised the car was being damaged and went outside.

READ: Polish man trashed family's car in Wrexham in bid to be deported

She found the defendant standing on the bonnet kicking the windscreen, which smashed.

Police then arrived and arrested him.

Blandzinski, 23, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Ruthin, admitted criminal damage to the car.

The defendant said he did not know the owner of the car and it had simply been the first one that he saw.

When it was explained to him it was parked in a disabled bay and the keeper was registered disabled, he apologised and said he was sorry.

READ: Wrexham councillors vote to retain Waterworld and find trust to run it

Blandzinski told the court “there is nothing for me here”, warning that if he was released he would go out and smash a shop window to continue in his bid to be deported.

'Desperate situation'

He was jailed for four weeks – but at the time was the subject of a four month suspended prison for possessing a knife and that was activated in full – making five months in all.

Blandzinski received concurrent seven day sentences for stealing vodka from Iceland and B&M Bargains on the same day.

Phillip Lloyd Jones, defending, said Blandzinski was a young man in a desperate situation and committed the damage because of his plight.

READ: Could cheaper Wrexham car parking draw more shoppers to town?

It was abundantly clear that there would be a considerable amount of cost to repair the vehicle.

He had been living on the streets, had no income and could not claim benefits and had lost his identification papers.

see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/watch-disabled-wrexham-woman-confront-10958032

Connah's Quay,North Wales - Thug walks free from court after judge admits 'he would not like to cross him'

Mold Crown Court where Mark Lewis, 35, of Connah's Quay appeared

27 FEB 2016
BY PETRA MANN

Father-of-two Marc Lewis, 35, attacked his victim, Stephen Anthony Taylor on a night out in the town

A drunken man who punched a taxi driver in the face and broke his jaw, has walked free from court after a judge admitted he would “not like to cross him.”

Father-of-two Marc Lewis, 35 , attacked his victim, Stephen Anthony Taylor in Connah’s Quay.

Lewis, a machinery trainer at his father’s firm, had denied a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm but was convicted by a jury by a ten to two majority.

Judge David Hale, sitting at Mold Crown Court , said that “With a degree of reluctance” he would suspend the 18-month prison sentence for two years before later adding “I would not like to cross him.”

Lewis of Cae Llys Close in Connah’s Quay, was also placed on rehabilitation and ordered to pay Mr Taylor £1,000 compensation.

The assault happened on June 13 last year.

Read about man who had afro hairdo set on fire in Wrexham bar

Judge Hale said Mr Taylor was doing a difficult job, on a late shift dealing with people who had too much to drink.

The court heard Lewis booked a taxi, wanted to stop off for a kebab but Mr Taylor said it was not possible because he had other passengers waiting.

But Lewis said he would have to stop for him to get money – but then sneaked into the kebab shop anyway.

Judge Hale said: “You did not seem to understand why it was right for him to say he could not wait.

“You thought you had the right to go and get a kebab and when he tried to hurry you up, and complained to you, you punched out at him.

“You obviously do not like to be told what to do.”

Read about Wrexham man stamping on ex-partner's face in brutal attack

Jayne La Grua, prosecuting, said in 2008 the defendant was convicted of assault and damage following an incident when he followed another motorist into a builder’s merchants and punched him through the driver’s window.

Duncan Bould, defending, said this client behaved entirely responsibility in his working life.

see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/connahs-quay-thug-walks-free-10959100

Flint,North Wales - North Wales judge brands defendant a 'one man crime wave'

27 FEB 2016
BY DEREK BELLIS

Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins was sentencing Luke Ashcroft, 24, at Caernarfon Crown Court

A judge branded a defendant “a one man crime wave” after a string of offences landed him in court.

Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins was sentencing Luke Ashcroft, 24, at Caernarfon Crown Court.

The court heard Ashcroft’s offences were sparked after his partner, who he’d held in a headlock and threatened, walked out on him.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, said Ashcroft said he would kidnap her “and take her far away so no one could hear her scream”, leaving her too scared to go out.

When she fled from Flint to live at her parents’ home at Old Colwyn, Ashcroft, of no fixed address, made up to 1,000 mobile phone calls trying to speak to his former partner.

Mr Mainstone said sometimes he pretended to be a police officer.

Read about more cases at Caernarfon Crown Court

At night, the court heard, he smashed windows at the house with stones, costing £200 to repair, and broke garden ornaments.

Later when police tried to arrest him, Ashcroft drove a moped into their car deliberately, slightly injuring an officer, and causing £478 worth of damage.

Then he repeated the action on a motorcycle a few days later, driving into the front offside of a police vehicle before running off.

An officer had scraped his knees trying to hang on to him.

Mr Mainstone said Ashcroft had an extensive list of previous convictions, five of them involving violence.

Read about family of Gwynedd man who stole from his grieving grandmother 'really pleased' with jail sentence

Anna Pope, defending, said her client had been released from prison last April and had worked at a supermarket and voluntarily for a hospice.

She said he accepted his behavior towards his then partner had been inappropriate.

While in prison he’d taken a welding course and one in parenting, she said.

Judge Harris-Jenkins said Ashcroft had held his ex-partner in a choking hold and his behaviour had been “controlling and manipulative.”

He jailed Ashcroft for 26 months after he pleaded guilty to common assault, harassment, criminal damage, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and defrauding his former partner of £178 by accessing her on-line bank account.

Restraining Order

Judge Harris-Jenkins told him: “Over the course of two months you eventually became a one-man crime wave. The majority of these offences stemmed from the breakdown of your relationship with your ex-partner.”

The judge imposed a restraining order on Ashcroft to ban him from any contact with his former partner or her family for five years.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and will have to pass a test before taking to the road again

see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-judge-brands-defendant-10959676

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