Welshpool, Powys man given alcohol tag after breaching order

Gareth Clarkson, of Bron Gungrog, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court last week, where he admitted breaching the requirements of a community order he was handed in August last year.

Clarkson, 21, admitted breaching the order – made on August 23, 2022, by failing to attend probation appointments on November 29 and December 22 last year.

The order has been running for more than two years; it was handed down originally midway through 2020 after Clarkson admitted possessing a bladed article.

He has already previously breached last August’s court order by failing to show up for unpaid work appointments in September and October.

The August punishment – which included being fitted with an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag for two months – was handed down following a drunken incident in Newtown last February during which he was seen throwing punches and in a fighting stance on CCTV.

Clarkson’s original order has remained in existence because of several breaches, newer offences and the fact he moved out of and then back to the Powys area.

Probation officer Julian Davies told a hearing on Tuesday, February 21: “The order was imposed in August for 12 months, and included a 56-day alcohol abstinence programme, in addition to 91 hours unpaid work.

“He breached it on November 8 and an additional 10 rehabilitation days were imposed. The defendant failed to attend pre-planned appointments.

“He did complete the alcohol monitoring part successfully with no breaches and has completed 38.5 hours of unpaid work. He has attended seven appointments in total and has re-engaged; he needs to continue cooperating in order to complete the order.”

Rob Hanratty, representing Clarkson, said: “Gareth accepts that there is no excuse for his poor compliance. It is encouraging to see he’s re-engaged.”

Magistrates ordered a new period of alcohol monitoring, to last for 30 days. They also ordered him to pay £60 costs.