Man avoids jail after threatening council staff at traveller site in Welshpool

Martin Joyce made crude and sexual comments to a female Powys County Council officer and threatened another officer when they went to carry enforcement action at the Leighton Arches Gypsy and Traveller site in Welshpool.

Joyce, 22, pleaded guilty to two charges of threatening behaviour when he appeared before Mold Crown Court last week.

The court heard how Joyce had lost his temper as the officers arrived at the site on October 22 last year.

He threatened both officers and singled out a female council worker and subjected her to sexual comments.

'Disgrace'

Joyce was sentenced to a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, by Judge Niclas Parry who labelled the attack as a disgrace.

He said: "This was a disgusting and disgraceful incident of public disorder, an attack on public servants who were carrying out their duties.”

He was also ordered to complete 260 hours of unpaid work and was made subject to a two-year restraining order.

The case comes six weeks after a man from Llandrindod Wells received a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to threatening a housing officer who was handling his case.

Councillor James Evans, cabinet member for housing, issued a warning that anyone making threats against officers will face prosecution.

He said: "The council will not tolerate people making threats against our members of staff, who are going about their duties on behalf of the council.

“We hope that this case will remind people the council will take action against anyone who makes threats against members of our staff.”