**Llanelli Man Sentenced After Threatening to Kill Father and Abusing Police Officer**
A Llanelli man has received a prison sentence after forcibly entering his father’s home, issuing death threats, and racially abusing a police officer during his arrest. The disturbing events unfolded in early February and culminated in sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, where both the gravity of the case and the ongoing fear experienced by the victim were laid bare.
The court heard that on 8 February, Neil Bell contacted Dyfed-Powys Police shortly after midday, alarmed by the presence and threatening behaviour of his son, 30-year-old Shone Bell, outside his home. This was not the first time Shone Bell had acted violently towards his father; a previous conviction for battery was already on his record.
Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini outlined the events as they unfolded. Bell, fuelled by rage, pounded on his father’s door before forcefully entering the residence. Once inside, he uttered a chilling threat to his father: “I am actually going to kill you tonight.” For a period, Neil Bell felt he was effectively being held hostage by his own son, forced into a state of powerlessness and fear. As tensions escalated, Shone Bell demanded a glass of water and then threatened to use the glass as a weapon, stating: “I’ve got a good mind to smash this and stick it in your throat.”
Police were called to the scene and quickly arrested Shone Bell. However, the situation deteriorated further when Bell directed a stream of racist abuse at one of the arresting officers, who was of Polish origin. During his transportation to custody, Bell spat in the police vehicle multiple times and ranted at the officer, telling him: “You come here and take our money. This isn’t your home. Go back to Poland.” Bell’s actions led to charges of threats to kill, racially aggravated intentional harassment, and criminal damage.
In a moving victim impact statement read to the court, Neil Bell spoke candidly of his ongoing anxiety and fear regarding his son. “The thought of seeing him gives me fear,” he revealed, explaining his jumpiness at the sound of a knock on the door or even the sight of someone passing by his house. On occasion, he has returned home to find his son waiting in his garden, having climbed over the fence. The uncertainty of what might happen if Shone Bell is released was described as “terrifying”, highlighting the profound effect the ordeal has had on Neil Bell’s daily life.
Shone Bell, who resides at Llys Glan Y Mor in Llanelli, has amassed 28 convictions spanning 54 offences, incorporating violent conduct, dishonesty, and drug infractions. Among these was a previous case of battery against his father, painting a picture of a troubled family dynamic with a history of conflict.
David Singh, representing the defendant, acknowledged his client’s lengthy record, while noting that many of the previous infractions were for lesser crimes. He portrayed the relationship between father and son as fraught, describing it as “difficult” and noting that some might say Shone Bell was following in footsteps set by his father. Letters from Bell’s mother and sister offering support were presented as mitigating factors. Singh also pointed out that, despite the severity of the threats, no actual violence was carried out during the latest incident, and his client had already spent several months in custody awaiting trial.
Presiding Judge Geraint Walters took a stern stance, highlighting Bell’s repeated appearances before the courts and persistent failure to adhere to court orders. The judge urged Bell to seek professional assistance with his mental health, warning that a continued cycle of offending would see him spend much of his adult life behind bars. Addressing the racist language used towards the police officer, Judge Walters asked, “What makes a man like you think you can describe a police officer as a ‘Polish c**t’?” while strongly condemning Bell’s behaviour.
As a result, Shone Bell was sentenced to 12 months in prison and handed a five-year restraining order prohibiting contact with his father. The court’s verdict brings some measure of resolution to a harrowing case, though the impact on the victim – and the relationship between father and son – remains profound.
The case serves as a reminder of the often-complex personal histories behind domestic incidents and the ongoing challenge of balancing punitive measures with rehabilitation and safeguarding of victims.