Surrey man denies affray and knife possession in Llandovery

Jordan Pollitt, 27, of Diamedes Avenue in Stanwell, is accused of being involved in a violent incident at The Whitehall in Llandovery on November 24 alongside Bradley Morgan, John Slade, and Joseph Scholz-Conway.

Morgan, 30, of Ravensbourne Avenue in Stanwell, and Slade, 37, of Clockhouse Lane in Ashford pleaded guilty to affray on May 15, while Pollitt and Scholz-Conway, 31, of Weymede in Byfleet pleaded not guilty.

Whitehall in Llandovery. (Image: Google)

The court heard that Pollitt was arrested around 40 minutes later, in the early hours of November 25, outside the Castle Hotel in the town.

Pollitt informed officers that he had a Stanley Knife in his pocket, and surrendered it immediately.

He pleaded not guilty to having a knife/bladed article in a public place when he appeared in court on Tuesday, April 11.

A hearing was held at Swansea Crown Court to determine if the two offences were linked.

The prosecution argued the knife offence was a continuation of the affray offence – and the context of the charge would be lost by holding two separate trials.

Pollitt denied having a knife outside the Castle Hotel in Llandovery. (Image: Google Street View)

It is argued Pollitt did not have the knife during the violent incident at The Whitehall at around 11.45pm, and returned to where he was staying – the Castle Hotel – where he picked up his coat to go outside to smoke, and the knife was in the coat pocket.

“The knife was not threatened, wielded or alluded to during any point in the affray,” Mr Davies said, representing Pollitt.

“The defendant wasn’t wearing the work jacket the knife was produced from at the time of the affray.”

“In my view, the jury would not be able to follow why he was arrested,” Judge Paul Thomas said.

“He showed an aggressive demeanour.

“That can only be properly understood in the context of why they were arresting him.”

Pollitt will stand trial for both offences on October 23.