Detective praises 'brave' witnesses (From Free Press Series)

Detective praises 'brave' witnesses

Detective praises 'brave' witnesses

AN Abergavenny detective praised the bravery of witnesses whose evidence led to the conviction of five people for violence condemned by a judge as being part of the "cult of yobbish behaviour."

A gang of three people were locked up for a total of five years and eight months, and two others who were involved received community sentences.

Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon, of Abergavenny CID, said: "I'd like to commend the witnesses who came forward and assisted the police to secure these convictions.

"Without the bravery of some of these witnesses, these people would be allowed to commit acts of violence throughout the town."

It was one of the worst incidents of violence in Abergavenny, where there are many public order problems, prosecutor Matthew Roberts told Cardiff Crown Court. The Grofield Pub, where some of the incidents occurred, was later closed down by police, the court was told.

Lee Osbourne, aged 24, of Underhill Cres-cent, Abergavenny, was jailed for 18 months; Jeremiah McCarthy, aged 19, of Glan-y-nant, Fochriw, Bargoed, received two years eight months in a young offender institution; and 18-year-old Lisa McCarthy, of Charles Close, Abergavenny, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months.

Kerry Gaskell, aged 24, of Glan-y-nant, Fochriw, was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order for two years, and Caroline Hogan, aged 24, of Glan-y-nant, Fochriw, was sentenced to a 120-hour community punishment order.

Osbourne, Jeremiah McCarthy and Hogan admitted charges of affray.

Jeremiah McCarthy and Gaskell pleaded guilty to causing Charlotte Jones actual bodily harm and Lisa McCarthy admitted robbing her.

Jeremiah McCarthy also admitted wounding Mr Kerry Farley and using threatening words and behaviour on another occasion.

Judge Stephen Hopkins told the five: "Gratuitous violence has become endemic in our society.

"Young people, usually fuelled by drink, attack others at random or on the basis of some imagined slight.

"This cult of yobbish violence will not be tolerated and when those responsible are brought to justice appropriate sentences will be imposed to restore public confidence."

A warrant was issued for the arrest of 18-year-old Guy Sealy, of Underhill Crescent, Abergavenny, who has admitted violent disorder and failed to turn up to be sentenced. It was ordered that he be remanded in custody.