Woman Jailed after Threatening Knife Incident in Newport

A 20-year-old woman who brandished a kitchen knife and made stabbing motions towards a passer-by in Newport city centre has been sentenced to eight months in a young offender institution. ⚖️

Scarlet Pugh, of no fixed abode in Newport, was captured on CCTV walking down Commercial Street at night armed with a 7-inch blade, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Elin Morgan told the court that Pugh was seen carving shapes in a wooden door and stabbing a pub sign before making “a stabbing motion towards someone who was walking past.”

“Thankfully, that person didn’t see her or ignored her,” Miss Morgan revealed.

The court also heard that Pugh was witnessed “slashing” at a car’s driver’s window, though it remains unclear if anyone was inside the vehicle at the time.

Pugh was arrested at around 9pm on Wednesday, January 15 at a Burger King restaurant shortly after the incident. She gave a “no comment” interview when taken into custody at Ystrad Mynach police station.

The defendant, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place. With two previous convictions for the same offence, she faced a minimum mandatory sentence of six months.

Her barrister Gareth Williams acknowledged, “She was acting strangely in all fairness.” The court was informed that Pugh had been struggling with mental health difficulties and was homeless at the time of the incident.

Judge Vanessa Francis told Pugh: “CCTV operators noticed that you were carrying a knife in Newport city centre. You were carrying a very dangerous weapon and making stabbing motions with it. I realise that you were homeless at the time and suffering with your mental – you were at rock bottom.”

Having been remanded in custody since her arrest, Pugh appeared via video link from Eastwood Park Prison and Young Offender Institution in Gloucestershire. Mr Williams noted, “She’s in a much better place now.”

With time already served in custody, Pugh is expected to be released immediately. She will be subject to 12 months of post-sentence supervision and must pay a £187 victim surcharge. The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.