CASE DELAY
Health concerns halt sentencing of former councillor in ‘shining lights at jets’ case
THE sentencing of a former councillor who faces jail after shining powerful lights at RAF jets has been adjourned pending further medical checks.
John Arthur Jones , 66, (pictured) was due to hear his fate at Caernarfon Crown Court on Monday morning after a jury found him guilty of 13 charges relating to endangering RAF jets near his home on Anglesey.
He faces a possible prison sentence, but the case saw a late twist with sentencing adjourned following the discovery of a possible medical condition that requires further tests.
Jones, of Bryn Cefni, Bodffordd, the former director of housing at Anglesey council, had pleaded not guilty to all the charges between November 2013 and September 2014.
His barrister, Lisa Judge, told the court the condition was found during a routine medical checkup last month after the trial had been completed.
She requested that sentencing be delayed until further analysis had been carried out.
Judge Geraint Walters agreed it would be “unjust” to proceed with sentencing under such circumstances, but he said the request for adjournment was late – he had only been made aware of the situation on Friday.
But he concluded: “It would be wrong of me to proceed until more information on the extent of the defendant’s medical condition is made clear.”
Jones was granted further bail, with a new sentencing date set for September 16.