Threat made to hit vulnerable adult in parking row

A SUPPORT worker threatened to hit a vulnerable adult outside a Llanelli care centre in a row about a parking space.

Thomas Alun Rhys Stephens told the vulnerable adult he would “knock his block off” after the vulnerable adult swore at him when Stephens became upset at losing the parking space outside M&D Community Care in Thomas Street on April 2.

Stephens, of Ty Newydd Terrace in Cross Hands, was a care support worker for M&D Community Care at the time.

He pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour when he appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

He initially entered a plea of not guilty, but changed it after his solicitor Richard Morgan spoke to him.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said 55-year-old Stephens took issue with the parking space being taken by the vulnerable adult who was going to the centre.

She added: “An argument occurred and the adult swore at the defendant when he took issue with the space being taken. The defendant became aggressive and said ‘I’ll knock you out.’”

At this point in the court hearing Stephens interrupted from the dock saying “no chance”, – taking issue with what the prosecution were outlining.

Mr Morgan, in defence of Stephens, said: “He has never been before the court before and this is out of character for him.

“He lost his job as a result of the incident but has now found new employment.”

District Judge Christopher James in sentencing Stephens said: “There are aggravating factors in this case, clearly you know what they are.

“There was a vulnerable adult involved and you were employed at the premises at the time.”

“You had minor difficulty parking at that location. There was an element of provocation as the vulnerable adult swore at you.

“Your reaction was to say you were going to knock his block off.

“That was thoroughly unpleasant and stressful for them and you lost your job.”

Stephens was fined £130, told to pay court costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.