Pembroke Dock resident fined over ?1000 for traffic offences
LAYTON NOLAN, a businessman from Pembrokeshire, has been exonerated of charges related to assaulting a woman and attempting to bribe her to withdraw her statement. Nolan, 28, of Victoria Road in Pembroke Dock was initially found guilty in Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court and later sentenced at Swansea Crown Court in the summer of 2023. He spent two weeks on remand in prison.
His conviction had severe repercussions, including community service and a significant financial burden of GBP2000 in legal costs for an initially unsuccessful appeal application. Nolan’s persistence in seeking justice was evident when he personally emailed the judge, His Honour Paul Thomas, pleading for another chance to appeal. His first email request was turned down, but a second emailed emotional plea paid off, and he was granted an opportunity to present his case again.
The first appeal hearing on October 13 was delayed due to incomplete disclosure of evidence by the complainant’s barrister and missing police records on the complainant’s prior assault conviction. Finally, on January 5, the appeal went ahead, leading to Nolan’s successful appeal.
Appeal allowed: Nolan cleared his name at Swansea Crown Court
The original conviction painted a grim picture of Nolan. He was described by Judge Paul Thomas on sentencing as a “cowardly bully” and his actions as “pathetic” and “insidious”.
Nolan was accused of assaulting the woman on four separate occasions, involving physical harm and intimidation. The court had initially taken a lenient approach due to Nolan’s claim that his imprisonment would lead to the collapse of his company and the loss of jobs for ten people. His defence, led by Amelia Pike, argued for his company’s peculiar employment situation as a mitigating factor.
However, in a dramatic moment at the appeal, Nolan, overwhelmed by emotion, burst into tears upon hearing the decision to overturn his conviction.
Turning to Nolan’s barrister Judge Thomas said: “Judging by the appellants reaction, I think I have made the right choice to allow the appeal.” The judge said that he allowed the appeal because the evidence of the complainant was inconsistent. This has been recorded in the court record.
The wrongful conviction had devastating consequences for Nolan’s business. His company, Your Life Review Ltd, collapsed amid the scandal. The conviction led Movo Health, a key business partner, to sever ties and withhold a substantial commission payment of approximately GBP150,000.
This financial strain forced Nolan to let go of 11 staff members and put his business operations on hold. Now, with his name cleared, Nolan faces the challenge of reviving his business and is fighting to recover the withheld commission from Movo Health. Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the appeal, Nolan said: “I have lost everything, I am broke, my business is in tatters.
But I am happy that I have cleared by name and I can now go on to rebuild my business.”
“I am able to put this whole nightmare behind me.”
Jailed: Nolan was placed on remand for two weeks