Pair in court on Newport burglary charge (From South Wales Argus)

Pair in court on Newport burglary charge

10:50am Friday 14th September 2012 in News

A MAN and woman appeared in court accused of a robbery in Newport.

Edward John Donovan, 50, of Windmill Square, Commercial Road, Newport, and Rhiannon Gibbons, 27, of Newport Hotel, Chepstow Road, Newport, appeared at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Both are also charged with the grievous bodily harm with intent of Dr Prana Das and the assault of Dr Nishebita Das occasioning actual bodily harm at their home in Catsash on Sunday, September 2.

Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court heard that police have been unable to speak to Dr Prana Das as he is believed to be still be in a coma.

The robbery charge states that cash, a BMW, a Nokia mobile phone, a quantity of cash in rupees and an ornamental eagle were all stolen during the incident.

Chairwoman of the bench Gillian Rogers remanded the pair in custody.

They are next due to appear at Newport Crown Court on September 20.

The Argus reported how Dr Prana Das appeared in court in April this year alongside co-accused Paul Black, of Ash Grove, Gloucester, over charges relating to Brithdir Care Home, New Tredegar.

The two face offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act but Das, who was director of Puretruce Health Care Ltd which owned the home, also faces four charges of false accounting and one charge of theft. The charges are denied.

Puretruce Health Care Ltd is itself charged with two counts of failing to discharge a duty under section three of the Health and Safety at Work Act relating to the treatment of residents.