Caldey Island: Monks forgive Dudley father who became holy place's first criminal
A Black Country father who became the first convicted criminal on a holy island walked free from court – after apologising to monks for disturbing their peace.
The 45-year-old visitor to tiny Caldey Island, off West Wales, admitted assaulting his 'naughty' seven-year-old son during a day trip to a chocolate factory run by the brothers.
It was the first conviction in living memory on the island, which has a population 40, when the father appeared in court to confess grabbing his son off the ground by the scruff of the neck, slapping him and frogmarching him away.
The father, from Dudley, was handed a £200 fine and a community order after a court heard he was 'very sorry' for the offence. Police were called to an assault on the island, which is home to an order of monks who follow a vow of silence.
It is so remote officers had to be carried by RNLI lifeboat two miles to the island off the Pembrokeshire coast to make the arrest.
More than 3,000 visitors make the boat ride from April to October to sample the prized homemade chocolate, perfume and shortbread made by the strict Cistercian monks.
The Caldey criminal, a holidaymaker on a day-trip from Dudley, appeared in court at Haverfordwest on the mainland.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court the child had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and had been 'quite naughty' on the day in question.
He added the father was trying to tell him to behave but his actions went beyond 'reasonable chastisement'.
"He picked him up by the neck so he could look him in the eye and tell him off.
"He appears to have been in quite a rage," he said.
A witness stated nearby children were frightened by the incident as the man was described as showing a 'considerable amount of aggression'."
The father was arrested and taken back to the mainland.
He later broke down during a police interview and stated he would never hurt his son. Defending lawyer Mike Kelleher said his client apologised for his offence and accepted he may have 'gone too far', which was not acceptable.
Mr Kelleher said he was dealing with a child who was unaware what could place himself or others in danger.
He said: "It's a very, very unfortunate incident.
"As a result of this incident, the help and assistance that this family has been asking for, for a very long time, has suddenly come into place."
"It's a shame that did not happen before." Magistrates imposed an 18 month community order with 20 rehabilitation requirement days and a £200 fine.
The father was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
