Drunk Powys man jailed for assault on officer in Newtown

Alan Newton, 60, was jailed for the assault, in Newtown on May 18, in addition to yet again breaching a criminal behaviour order barring him from being drunk in public.

Swansea Crown Court heard on Monday, June 17, that Newton, of St Mary’s Close, Newtown, had not appeared before a court until he was 46.

However, in the intervening 14 years he has amassed an “unattractive” record that boasts 50 convictions for 85 offences – all committed while intoxicated.

Newton, appearing via videolink from prison, where he has been since his arrest, pleaded guilty to breaching the criminal behaviour order and assaulting a police officer on May 20.

Prosecutor Ieuan Rees said PCs Thompson and Richards arrested Newton after an incident outside a café on Broad Street, Newtown, at around 2.50pm on May 18.

OTHER NEWS:

• Newtown man told ex-partner he would 'remove her from the earth'
• 18 homes could be built on 'overgrown' field in Powys village
• Police put town on alert after attempted abduction of two children

“The officers were responding to calls that a male was acting drunk, swearing and refusing to leave a café,” said Mr Rees.

“The defendant was speaking to a group of people near the café. Officers took him aside and it was apparent he was intoxicated. There were red wine stains on his white moustache and on his clothes.

“He spat when he spoke and they were told he was being rude to people. He shouted and swore and was advised to stop as children were present.

“He fluctuated between aggressive and conversational. PC Richards was aware of his criminal behaviour order due to previous dealings with him.

“Due to his comments he was arrested. He reacted aggressively and was shouting incoherently. He called PC Richards a slag and said ‘I hope you die of cancer’.

“He resisted arrest, so they took him to the ground. While on the ground he kneed PC Richards in the ribs.”

Newton has spent his last two Christmases behind bars. He was sent to prison for 26 weeks in December 2022 after admitting leaving vile, sexualised voicemail messages on a Powys vicar's phone.

He was jailed again in November 2023 for breaching the current order, which prevents Newton from drinking in public, entering licensed premises, and going into several areas of Knighton, and committing a new offence.

Caitlin Brazel, acting for Newton, said her client’s early guilty pleas demonstrate an element of remorse.

“The defendant was of entirely clean character until the age of 46, “said Ms Brazel.

“That was when he met his first partner who was a heavy drinker. He was encouraged to drink with her, which is where his heavy alcohol consumption began.

“Her death led to a significant turn in his mental health and sent him into a downward spiral. He has found it difficult to pull himself out of this dark place.”

She said Newton led an isolated lifestyle, having very little contact with friends or family.

“He has been able to refrain from alcohol for long periods, however, when he has one drink he finds it incredibly difficult for that not to snowball."

Judge Catherine Richards told Newton: “Yours is quite truly a depressing case; it seems a waste of life for someone who did not offend until late in your adult life.

“You do not yet appear ready to deal with that alcohol abuse in any meaningful way and I regret to say there is not a realistic possibility of rehabilitation, and there have been too many breaches of court orders.”

She jailed Newton for five months; four for breaching the order and one for the assault.