JAMES ROWE FROM LLANSANTFFRAID ATTACKS POLICE DOG MAX IN DRINK-FUELED RAGE

James Dean Rowe, born on September 10, 1988, and residing at 6 Ffordd Spoonley in Llansantffraid, found himself at the center of a disturbing incident that culminated in a court conviction in 2024. The events unfolded during a night marred by alcohol consumption, which led to a series of reckless and violent actions that drew the attention of local law enforcement authorities.

According to court reports, the trouble began when police officers arrived at Rowe’s residence in Llansantffraid following reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, they encountered a scene of apparent disarray, with the front door partially smashed. The officers observed Rowe at the top of the stairs, exhibiting signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and an aggressive demeanor. As the officers approached, Rowe became verbally abusive, escalating the situation further.

Prosecutor Helen Tench detailed the confrontation, stating, “The defendant was at the top of the stairs and became verbally abusive. Officers noticed his speech was slurred and he appeared under the influence. He then came down to where PC Lloyd and PC Donovan were, leaned his face towards a police dog named Max, and called him a ****. Without warning, Rowe struck the dog in the face, leaving Max dazed and confused. The dog subsequently ran inside the house.”

Following the assault on Max, police officers moved swiftly to arrest Rowe. The police dog was examined for injuries, and the officers noted that Max appeared unharmed but shaken by the attack. Rowe was taken into custody and transported to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital due to injuries sustained in a prior road traffic collision. However, he was turned away from the hospital after becoming verbally abusive towards staff.

Subsequently, Rowe was detained at a police station and held in a cell overnight. During the court proceedings, a probation officer testified that Rowe had little recollection of the night’s events. The officer explained that Rowe was not feeling well at the time, citing the emotional strain of missing his first Christmas without his son. Rowe claimed he was not drinking at the time of the crash, asserting he swerved to avoid a fox and had consumed a significant amount of vodka at home. He expressed disbelief over the attack on the police dog and the officers, emphasizing that he is not a violent person and was under considerable stress.

In addition to the assault on Max, Rowe admitted to causing criminal damage to a vehicle owned by an elderly Good Samaritan who had stopped to assist him after he crashed his car. Court records reveal that Rowe forced the 78-year-old motorist to drive him around Powys in search of alcohol, further illustrating his reckless behavior that night.

At sentencing, the court imposed an 18-month community order, requiring Rowe to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to pay £1,380 in compensation to the elderly driver. Furthermore, Rowe received a 14-month driving ban as part of his punishment. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of his actions, which included violence towards a police service animal, endangering others, and criminal damage, all set against the backdrop of alcohol abuse and mental health struggles.