Newtown teenager accused of kidnapping woman in Powys

Oliwier Goral, 19, from Newtown, appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week, where the case against him, six charges in total, was immediately sent to the crown court.

Goral entered no pleas at the hearing, on Wednesday, April 24. Because the charges can only be tried at a crown court, he was not asked to enter pleas before magistrates at the lower court.

He is accused of kidnapping the woman in Newtown on November 22, 2022. The charge states Goral unlawfully and by force or fraud took or carried away the alleged victim against her will.

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The five other charges he faces also relate to the same alleged victim and relate to the same date.

Goral, of Plantation Close, Newtown, is also charged with making threats to kill, in Abermule; stalking; damaging a tyre belonging to the complainant; possessing a knife in the Lon Rhosod area of Newtown; and stealing a mobile phone.

The stalking charge accuses Goral of slashing a tyre belonging to the alleged victim then taking a taxi and following her to Abermule with the intention of kidnapping her.

Kidnapping is an indictable only offence and prosecutor James Sprunks said it must go to the higher court – all the other linked offences will go with it.

Pat Matthews, representing Goral, said that no pleas were being indicated today.

Magistrates adjourned the case and committed it to Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, where Goral will appear on May 22.

He was granted conditional bail, which states he must not contact the complainant via any means.