AN AMMANFORD man appeared before magistrates at Llanelli Law Courts on Thursday (Nov 1) to face three serious charges against a 74-year-old man, as well as additional charges for drugs possession.
Christopher Paul Evans, aged 35 of Coopers Road in Tycroes, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing harassment alarm or distress, threatening to destroy property and threats to kill.
He was also charges with the possession of morphine, cannabis and diazepam. Evans pleaded guilty to all the charges.
Prosecutor, Abul Hussein, said: “The matter was adjourned from October 24 so that all matters could link up.
“The complainant is 74-years-old which is an aggravating feature. He is the father of the defendant’s landlord and had attended Evans’ home address to meet plasterers. Whilst he was there, the defendant came out of the property and was very angry. He picked up some scaffolding and threw it in rage, and also picked up a gate and threw that too.
“He picked up a petrol can and said ‘I will burn your house down’. The public order offence is imposed by the demeanour of the defendant.”
Mr Hussein continued: “The threats to kill were made at the police station in an interview. the complainant said ‘If he comes to my house tomorrow I’ll f***ing kill him. I don’t care. Put it on tape’. All he says in his statement is he wanted to sort the matter out.”
Mr Hussein explained that the new matters of drugs possession occurred in July at Station Road. Police attended Station Road for an unrelated matter and searched him, leading them to find controlled drugs.
Defence solicitor, Laura Sherwood, said: “I represented Evans on the last occasion on October 24 for the previous matters and he entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, so should be awarded full credit.
“It came to our attention that there was a matter listed today for drugs. A report was requested for the benefit of group sentencing. He’s done that and this is the first opportunity he’s had to plead guilty for the drugs matters and he has accepted them in full.”
Speaking of the initial matters of violence, Ms Sherwood said: “Evans lives at a rental property and there does not appear to be any issue in relation to the defendant and the landlord. The landlord does not live in this country and the property is sometimes overseen by his father.
“The landlord does not permit his father to be there or get involved and I think the boundaries were overstepped. Tensions were rising, and the defendant doesn’t want him coming near his property.
“An argument took place and he has been in touch with his landlord, and he is more than happy for the defendant to return to the property. The landlord has spoken with his father and told him only to attend with regards to construction work.”
Ms Sherwood said she was ‘exceptionally grateful’ for the probation report written by probation officer, Tim Jenkins, and went on to explain Evans’ history with regards to his drug use.
She said: “Evans has still got a habit introduced to him by his mum when he was 13. He suffered abuse on many fronts which made his development in school suffer. He has not sought help in recent times and is trying to work through it. He has received medication from his GP by was of antidepressants.”
Ms Sherwood explained that Evans takes cannabis to help with his mental health issues, and rejects ‘any notion’ that cannabis doesn’t help. She explained that Evans is a ‘skilled tattoo artist’, and although he does have an income struggles with finances.
She added: “He fears a relapse where his mental health may go if he doesn’t get to see someone”.
Magistrates told Evans: “We’re dealing today with a variety of offences. Some of those are so serious that a custodial sentence could be imposed.”
Magistrates imposed an 18 month community order with a 10 day rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work, pay £170 prosecution costs and £85 victim surcharge.
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