Ystradgynlais shovel threat man refused to show-up at court

Daniel Smith, 23, was sentenced to a community order on May 12 for affray and threatening the man with an offensive weapon at an address on Gurnos Road on November 3 last year.

As part of this, Smith was required to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

However, he was back in court in July after the probation service reported he had “fully disengaged” with them.

Smith had not been in contact with the probation service for a month, and had failed to attend four appointments – one of which he had an acceptable absence for.

The court that he had been kicked out of his previous address, but had found a new stable address on Castle Street in Swansea.

On that occasion, Recorder Neil Owen-Casey gave six weeks to start complying with the order.

“I understand your circumstances,” he told Smith.

“You’ve got to understand the court is giving you a chance.

“If you don’t take that opportunity, we’re going to have to find another way to deal with you.”

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Smith’s case returned to court on Friday, August 18 – however the defendant did not show up.

Prosecutor Harry Dickens said Smith had since been charged with an unrelated offence, and was suspected by police of committing two further offences.

The hearing was delayed at Swansea Crown Court, and Mari Watkins, representing Smith, said she had been unable to contact him about his non-appearance in that time.

“I was told there was a motivation to comply with the probation service,” Recorder Owen-Casey said.

“On any basis, it appears that he is not complying with the order.”

Recorder Owen-Casey said he “couldn’t have made it any clearer” to Smith what would happen if he failed to comply with the order.

A bench warrant was issued, and Smith will be brought before the next available judge after he is arrested.