A DEFENDANT who missed his pre-sentence report meeting with the Probation Service for a “nasty assault” had his case adjourned after the court heard his brother’s partner, a mother-of-four, had just died.

Jason Parle, 28, of Tribute Avenue, Cwmcarn, who has 16 previous appearances for 41 offences, was due to be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court for inflicting grievous bodily harm on Jared Hopkins.

But his barrister Andrew Taylor told Judge Eleri Rees that the defendant had not attended his pre-sentence report appointment with the Probation Service as he was supposed to.

Mr Taylor said his client had been suffering from tonsillitis when he was due to meet the Probation Service and had been declared unfit for work. His lawyer then told the judge about the personal tragedy that had befallen Parle and his family.

Mr Taylor told the court how his brother’s partner, who had four children, had recently died and that the funeral would be held next week.

It had left Parle’s family “bereft and dumbfounded”, he added.

Mr Taylor said his client still wanted to have a pre-sentence report.

He further added that the defendant had just been offered a full-time job by former solicitor Rhydian James who had set up a business in the Caerphilly area.

The judge adjourned sentence until later this month so that Parle could arrange another pre-sentence report with the Probation Service.

She said the defendant should be used to the workings of the criminal justice system now after his 16 previous court appearances for 41 offences.

The judge added that Parle had committed a “nasty offence” and warned him: “The fact I am adjourning sentence should not raise his expectations about a custodial sentence at all.”

She advised him to keep his appointment this time or he would be in breach of his bail and be kept in custody.

He was granted bail on condition he stay away from Blackwood High Street.