SELF-EMPLOYED DECORATOR SENDS OFFENSIVE VIDEO TO MIFFED CUSTOMER

NEWS UPDATE

A self-employed Kidwelly decorator who sent an indecent/offensive message of a person killed with a pickaxe to an unhappy customer, appeared at Llanelli Law Courts earlier today (November 15). Garrath John Ashdown, age 32 of Tyr Castell Crwbin Kidwelly pleaded guilty before the District Judge of sending an offensive/indecent/obscene/menacing message by a public communication network.

Sian Cutter prosecuting told the court that the female complainant in the case posted a message on August 31 to the social network Facebook, requiring a handyman to undertake a paint job at her property. Several people commented on the post but Ashdown was hired for the job. On September 4 Ashdown started the job with the agreement it would be completed the next day. The complainant was unhappy with the level of work and said she’d pay for the unsatisfactory work at a reduced rate. Ashdown wasn’t happy and stopped work, he refused to carry on.

The victim sent numerous messages to the defendant which were deemed as personal. These included calling him f**king scum and a f**king cowboy. The comments were extremely insulting and included reference to his partner and personal life.

Ashdown messaged a video showing a male being butchered and hit in the head and body with a pickaxe by a group of children. The victim reported the incident to Llanelli police station and stated the footage was horrific, vile and that she felt incredibly sick.

During police interview Ashdown said the woman had kicked off originally at the property using various expletives and called him an idiot. He agreed to take a lesser payment for the job so he could leave. She stated she’d put all over Facebook that he was a s*it builder and a f**king cowboy and was going nuts and berserk on messenger. She went on to call him a junky on a message exchanged and blocked him on Facebook but proceeded to send more messages.

Ashdown claimed to send the offensive message as he wanted it to be the end of the situation. He added that at the time he felt justified in his actions and was just sticking up for himself. There were admissions that the video had been sent to a number of others.

Richard Morgan representing told the court that his client was self employed and had made full and frank admissions to the offence.

District Judge David Parsons said that it was fairly uncontentious to say the footage was the worse possible material and that the offence crossed the custody threshold. He added that anyone sending material of this nature could expect a minimum of 12 weeks in custody due to the gravity of the offence.

District Judge Parsons said that the guilty plea went in the accused’s favour and that it was an indication of remorse. Also Ashdown had expressed remorse several times to police and the courts. He expressed deep regret through a letter to the court stating that he was sorry that others would have to watch the disturbing footage. It was stated that the District Judge believed Ashdown to be a victim of provocation from the complainant and that it was no doubt a factor that caused him to behave out of character.

Ashdown was punished by way of a 12 month suspended prison sentence. He must partake in a 15 day RAR requirement with 80 hours of unpaid work.

In addition, compensation of £250 was ordered followed by £85 in court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

The complainant claimed his reputation had been ruined as a result.