Man denies baseball bat attack

4:02pm Wednesday 25th July 2007

A man accused of attacking the main witness in a police inquiry with a baseball bat in Pembroke Dock's Meyrick Street is currently standing trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The jury heard yesterday that Scott Keane, aided by another man, allegedly attacked Barry Palmer who was sat outside a kebab shop in Meryrick street chatting on a mobile phone to his girlfriend.

Keane, 27, believed to be a former Pembroke Dock resident, who is now living in Stockport on Merseyside, is on trial at Swansea crown court accused of intimidation.

The court heard that at the time of the alleged attack there was an on-going allegation against Keane that he had caused criminal damage to the property of his ex-girlfriend Fiona Woodward.

On March 5th, 2007, Keane knew that Mr Palmer had made a statement to the police about the allegations.

It was alleged that Scott and another man approached Mr Palmer's red Vauxhall Astra in a light coloured Peugot. The prosecution said that Keane jumped out of the vehicle with a baseball bat in one hand.

Kevin Riordan, prosecuting, said Keane used the bat to smash the window of the driver's side door and then struck Mr Palmer several times. He then walked around to the passenger door and smashed another window.

Meanwhile, the other man grabbed the ignition keys.

Mr Riordan said Mr Palmer had not been seriously injured but the jury could see from photographs that he suffered from marks and bruising.

"Crucially, it was what was said," added Mr Riordan. "Scott Keane indicated he knew full well that Barry Palmer was a potential witness against him and he was warning him off.

"He referred to a second man who also might have been a potential witness.

"It was not a random assault. It was targeting. He wanted to frighten him off."

After the alleged attack the two men drove off and the second, unidentified man, threw Mr Palmer's car keys out of the window as they went.

Mr Riordan said Keane was arrested and denied the allegation. He agreed he had been in Pembroke Dock at the time but not in Meyrick Street.

He added that the original criminal damage allegation was not proceeded with "but that wasn't the point."

Keane, of Stockport on Merseyside, denies the charge and the trial continues.