Crimes fuelled by crack cocaine
A 30-YEAR-OLD man who has found himself homeless as a result of an addiction to crack cocaine was this week brought before magistrates after admitting causing criminal damage to his former partner’s front door.
The relationship between Reece BatesonFenwich and his girlfriend Jordan Thomas was described in court as being ‘volatile’.
“Both parties were frustrated with each other,” probation officer Charmain Fox told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“He believes she still has personal items of his, which have a monetary and a sentimental value.
“He’s been very honest with me about his struggles of being homeless as well as his use of crack cocaine. At the moment, he’s either staying with people who are using substances or who invite him to stay with them when he’s in possession of a substance himself.
“Until his accommodation is secure, he’s going to continue in this homeless cycle.”
Bateson- Feneck’s court appearance was the result of his visit to Ms Thomas’ home in the Mount estate, Milford Haven on March 16.
“She heard someone storming upstairs to her flat,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson. “She knew it was the defendant because of his voice. He was banging on the door really loudly and her ring doorbell showed the defendant standing outside.
“He shouted ‘I want my tv back, after all you’ve done with me. I swear to God, when I get in there I’m going to f****** stab you.”
Ms Jackson said that Jordan Thomas believed the defendant was on crack cocaine at the time of the incident.
“I knew he was on crack cocaine as he wasn’t speaking clearly,” she said.
Bateson-Feneck pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the door, valued at £39.99, and an additional charge of assaulting MS Thomas by beating during a previous incident on January 13 when he pushed the victim, making contact with her neck.
For both offences, Bateson-Feneck was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation requirement days to address his accommodation situation. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Ms Thomas and £39.99 compensation for the damage caused to the door.
He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
A restraining order was imposed preventing him from making contact with Jordan Thomas, visiting her home address and entering any information concerning her on any electronic device or social media.