THIEVES were thwarted from stealing a livestock trailer from a Powys farm on Boxing Day after they were confronted by a woman and her neighbours as they were leaving the property.
Kristian Lee Jones-Davies was driving a Nissan X-Trail away from a property known as Penybanc, near Llandrindod Wells, on December 26, 2022.
Amanda Bayliss, who was returning home with her young children, noticed that a Gamic livestock trailer being towed by Jones-Davies belonged to her.
An access road to the rural property only serviced her home and another, and her neighbours were also driving down the road on the evening, leading to them thwarting the would-be thieves.
There were two men in the vehicle being driven by Jones-Davies, 33, and while his accomplice fled the scene, he locked himself in and was eventually apprehended.
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He admitted theft when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 14.
Three other charges, of vehicle interference, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance, were withdrawn as it was discovered Jones-Davies has already been sentenced for those matters, serving prison time.
“On the evening of December 26 Amanda Bayliss was heading down the lane to her home with her children, when she saw a vehicle approaching that she didn’t recognise,” said prosecutor Suzanne Cartwright.
“Her farm and the neighbours’ farm are the only properties on the lane. She pulled in to let it (the oncoming vehicle) pass and then one of the children noticed the trailer and thought it was their own.
“Ms Bayliss noticed that her neighbours were also coming up the lane behind them.
“She got out and went to the vehicle, trying to open the vehicle and banging on the door. The neighbours also challenged the occupants.
“A male passenger got out and ran off, while the defendant locked the door and tried to prevent them getting in. The children were extremely distressed. The driver was arrested.”
In a victim impact statement made by Ms Bayliss, she said: “It left us very shaken up and upset.
“Nothing like this has happened before. Had it been successful it would have had an enormous financial impact on the farm and would have made it hard work to work without the trailer.”
In police interview the defendant said he thought that the trailer was being picked up legitimately, but this turned out not to be the case.
Ms Cartwright said Jones-Davies has 19 convictions for 33 offences.
Probation officer Gareth Jenkins said Jones-Davies is awaiting a date in the crown court for other matters, for which he “could lose his liberty”.
“His previous response to unpaid work has not been satisfactory,” said Mr Jenkins.
“He says he feels he has already been punished for driving while disqualified, he went to prison for 16 weeks. He has continued to offend and is currently not working.”
Jones-Davies, of Pump Piece, Leominster, told the court: “When I was sentenced to custody I thought it was for all matters.
“I didn’t know it was a theft. The other person with me had money on him. I thought the trailer had been paid for.”
He added: “It never left their ground.”
Jones-Davies was told by chair of the bench, Lorna Jones, that it was a valuable item he had been attempting to steal.
Magistrates adjourned the case and asked for an all-options pre-sentence report to be prepared. Jones-Davies will return to court to be sentenced on February 28.
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