Police appeal after serious sexual assault

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious sexual assault which happened in Ponthir on November 24.

The incident took place at about 3.20am on Sunday, November 24.

A 21-year-old man from Newport has been arrested on suspicion of a sexual offence.

Officers from Gwent Police are particularly keen to speak to the occupants of a dark coloured van which was parked across Caerleon Road at the junction of Brechfa Close.

They believe the occupants may have spoken with a man and a woman who were crossing the road near the Star Inn pub on that night.

Detective Constable Chloe Collins said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident to come forward.

“We are particularly keen to speak to occupants of a dark coloured van which was parked across Caerleon Road at the junction of Brechfa Close in the early hours of November 24 who may have witnessed the assault or have information which could assist.

“It is believed the van driver spoke with a male and a female as they were crossing the road near to the Star Inn pub.”

■ Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting reference 1900433231 or alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.

AN AMPHETAMINE user attacked a man with a machete on his own doorstep as he threatened to kill another man inside.

Michael Griffiths, who had hidden the weapon in a black bin bag, struck Stewart Thomas on the arm as he shouted threats at Stephen Jones in the house.

Speaking at Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutor Thomas Roberts said the defendant was “ranting and raving”.

The court heard the incident happened on Saturday, November 23, on Wyndham Street in Treherbert.

Prosecutors said there was a “background of animosity” between Griffiths and Mr Jones.

Mr Roberts told the court the defendant became aggressive on the phone to his partner and repeatedly said he was going to kill Mr Jones.

He said Griffiths armed himself with a machete which was half a metre long and had a silver blade, adding: “The majority was concealed within a black bin bag.”

The court heard his partner warned him he would get arrested if he carried on behaving in that way, but the defendant said he did not care.

Prosecutors said Mr Thomas, who was going to the shop, saw Griffiths