Statement from Mark Pontin (1st Statement)

I reside at the address mentioned overleaf together with my
girlfriend Michelle ANDREWS and her son Joshua. I used to live in the Beechwood area of Newport and because of
this went to St Julian's Comprehensive School. During my time in school my best friend was Matthew THOMPSON who
used to live on the Old Barn Estate. Recently Matthew moved to the Duffryn area of Newport together
with his girlfriend Cindy PAGINTON. I am also friendly with Cindy's brother Paul PAGINTON who I have
also known from school. When we were in school Matthew THOMPSON and I were in. the same class so we used to sit next to each other.

When we left school we still kept in touch with one another on a