Maybe it's just me, but these names don't jump out immediately as being either definitely male or female, and it takes careful reading to work it all out. But it seems like Ashlee is male, and was the one with the knife, and Kelly is female, and was the one with the needle
And although the headline reads like they're a married couple, that's not entirely clear either
Ashlee and Kelly Rees jailed for Milford Haven taxi robbery
https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news ... i-robbery/
A Pembrokeshire taxi driver has spoken of his nightmares and family fears following his robbery by two people wielding a knife and a needle.
Before Ashlee Rees, 23 and Kelly Rees, 35, began jail terms for their roles in the Milford Haven crime, the victim statement of the taxi driver was read to Swansea Crown Court today (Monday June 9).
“I don’t trust anyone anymore” said the man, who is in his sixties. “I’m very wary who I pick up.
“I believe it (the robbery) was pre-planned. I don’t know why anyone wanted to do this to me.”
The driver added: “My grandchildren worried I was going to die.”
He revealed he now suffers from "recurrent nightmares" about the incident, and has regular blood tests for fear of infection from the needle.
Ashlee Rees of Flemish Court, Lamphey and Kelly Rees, of Summers Villas, Milton, both appeared in court by video link to be sentenced for their part in the robbery.
Crown prosecutor Alycia Carpanini reminded the court that the incident took place in Trafalgar Road, Milford Haven on the evening of October 18, 2024.
The taxi driver had pulled up to collect a pre-arranged fare when Ashlee Rees pulled open the cab’s passenger door, pointed a knife and said: “Give me your ****ing wallet”.
“The driver originally thought it was a joke,” said Ms Carpanini. “He attempted to take the knife away and then he felt a [edited by admin] on the outside of his right thigh.
“He then noticed Kelly Rees, who reached into the vehicle and took a blue canvas bag containing between £50 and £80.”
The driver subsequently went to Withybush Hospital, where it was confirmed his skin had been pricked by a needle and blood tests were carried out.
Three boxes of syringes were subsequently found at Kelly Rees’ home, which she said related to blood thinner medication she was on.
Ashlee Rees previously pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court to a charge of robbery and possessing a knife blade, while Kelly Rees admitted robbery but denied using the needle. She was subsequently convicted on this charge following a trial.
Both the defendants had previous convictions for theft-related offences, the court was told.
Ashlee Rees’ "spiral of offending" was related to his drug use, his barrister, David Singh, told the court, but "a very different side" had emerged during his time in custody.
“He has expressed his remorse, which I believe is genuine,” he added.
Harry Dickens, for Kelly Rees, said his client had previously "relapsed into the use of drugs" but since abstaining while in custody had become "much more with it".
Jailing Ashlee Rees for a total of three years and Kelly Rees for a total of three years and nine months.
Judge Catherine Richards told them: “This was a plainly-planned incident in which you both deliberately targeted a lone taxi driver.”