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A director of a not-for-profit company which converted a double-decker bus into a homeless shelter has been prosecuted for assault.
Appearing at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 8, Ian Smith, 45, of Davies Street, Cefn Fforest, was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work after he admitted charges of common assault and threatening behaviour.
He was also told to pay £100 in compensation, £85 prosecution costs and £95 toward victim services.
The court was told how Smith, who runs the H.O.P.E Community Interest Company, had spat at Paul Hudspeth on April 14 last year.
Smith was also made subject to a restraining order which bans him from contacting Mr Hudspeth, either directly or indirectly.
The order, which lasts until January 7, 2022, also prevents Smith from going to Mr Hudspeth’s home address and stops him from posting information about him on social media.
When contacted by Caerphilly Observer, Smith said he was unable to talk about the case due to the restraining order, but maintained he did not intentionally spit, despite his guilty plea.
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