News

Gareth Davies MS presses First Minister over Royal Alexandra Hospital plans

Published

1 month ago

January 13, 2026

Questions raised over funding, scale and timing of long-delayed development

Gareth Davies MS questioned the First Minister in the Senedd today {Jan 13} over the future delivery of the Royal Alexandra Hospital development in Rhyl, following the recent granting of planning permission by Denbighshire County Council but with no confirmed funding commitment from the Welsh Government.

The issue was raised after Welsh Labour North Wales MS Carolyn Thomas asked the First Minister to make a statement on the development. Mr Davies used a supplementary question to highlight concerns over the lengthy delays surrounding the project and what he described as a sudden increase in political attention from Welsh Labour representatives ahead of an election.

Mr Davies criticised what he said had been years of silence from North Wales Labour Senedd members on the Royal Alexandra Hospital, followed by what he described as a “resurrection” of the plans in recent months. He argued that the proposals had been significantly scaled back from the original plans announced in 2013 and suggested the development was now being used for political purposes rather than properly addressing the healthcare needs of the region.

During his contribution, Mr Davies pressed the First Minister to confirm whether construction would begin early this year, as suggested by the Health Board, and whether the Welsh Government would commit to delivering the hospital to the original specifications set out in 2013. He said those specifications were necessary to adequately relieve pressure on Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Responding, First Minister Eluned Morgan criticised previous UK Conservative Governments and the current Welsh Conservative Senedd Group, referring to what she described as “fantasy economics – wanting to build these huge places.” She said Wales had been “deprived for years of capital funding” by previous UK Governments.

The First Minister also stated that “the people of Rhyl want to see this community hospital” and said she hoped to see progress under a Labour government. However, she did not provide a commitment that construction would begin early this year, nor did she offer assurances that the hospital would be built to the original, larger specifications.

Commenting after the exchange, Gareth Davies MS said the First Minister had failed to provide clarity on the future of the project.

He said: “After deflecting and shifting the blame, the First Minister still refused to give a straight answer on whether construction will begin this year, leaving many local people feeling they’ve heard it all before.

“Planning permission is only the first step, and after more than a decade of delays there are real concerns, the Welsh Government has dusted off scaled-down plans to use as political capital before the election, without committing the funding needed to actually build the hospital.

“The reduced plans fall well short of what was promised to North Denbighshire and will not adequately ease pressure on Glan Clwyd Hospital, so the Welsh Government must stop moving the goalposts, commit to an early start, and deliver a fit-for-purpose hospital rather than a watered-down version of what was promised over a decade ago.”

Crime

Teenage protester jailed after motorway and railway disruption offences

Published

40 minutes ago

February 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Custodial sentence imposed for incidents on A1(M) and at Haverfordwest railway station

A TEENAGER from Pembroke Dock has been jailed for eighteen weeks after admitting offences which caused serious disruption to both road and rail networks.

Jeylane Bamford, aged eighteen, formerly of Britannia Drive, Pembroke Dock, appeared for sentencing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 16).

The court heard that on January 24, 2026, Bamford walked into a live lane of the A1(M) at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, interfering with the operation of key national infrastructure. The offence was prosecuted under the Public Order Act 2023.

Magistrates were told the incident created a serious risk to road users and caused significant disruption to services.

**The A1(M) at Hatfield was closed, which police said caused significant disruption to road users** ***(Pic: Police)***

Bamford also admitted a separate offence committed on January 14, 2026, at Cartlett railway station in Haverfordwest, where she trespassed on the railway and obstructed an engine or carriage, contrary to the Malicious Damage Act 1861.

A further charge of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance — relating to lying in the live carriageway of the A1(M) — was also taken into account.

The bench said the offences were so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified, citing disregard for public safety and the scale of disruption caused.

Bamford received a total custodial sentence of eighteen weeks’ imprisonment, with the terms to run concurrently. No order for costs was made due to her lack of means and the immediate custody imposed.

District Judge Alaw Harries presided, sitting with magistrates Dr S Hancock, Mr D Fawcett and Mr R John. The prosecution was conducted by Sian Vaughan.

Crime

Neyland stalker admits harassment of Milford Haven woman

Published

48 minutes ago

February 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN has admitted stalking a woman over a two-month period in Neyland and has been placed on conditional bail ahead of sentencing.

Andrew Richards, aged 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 16), where he pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, Richards pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of a female in Milford Haven.

The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and remanded Richards on conditional bail.

As part of those conditions, he must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly and must not post anything on social media relating to her.

He is also banned from entering Milford Haven town unless attending pre-arranged medical appointments.

Richards was ordered to live and sleep each night at his home address in Neyland while on bail.

The case will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Monday, March 9.

Crime

MAN charged with GBH with intent following incident involving ‘Pembrokeshire Patriot’

Published

1 hour ago

February 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Defendant remanded in custody as case linked to police raids on Friday

A MAN has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an incident in Pembroke Dock involving controversial local activist Darren Edmundson, widely known as the “Pembrokeshire Patriot.”

Zack Ian Craig High, aged 26, of Anthem Court, Monkton, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 16) accused of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to Edmundson with intent.

The allegation relates to an incident at an address in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, on January 29.

No plea was entered during the hearing. Due to the seriousness of the charge, the case was sent directly to Swansea Crown Court under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

High was remanded in custody. Magistrates were told bail was refused on multiple grounds, including the nature and seriousness of the offence, concerns he may commit further offences, interfere with witnesses, and issues relating to previous record and character.

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on March 20 at 9:00am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Link to major police operation

The charge comes after a significant armed police operation in Pembroke Dock on Friday (Feb 13), which The Pembrokeshire Herald reported extensively at the time.

Heavily equipped officers carried out pre-planned raids in Bush Street and nearby Gordon Street, leading to four arrests including a man detained on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

It is understood the investigation relates to the alleged assault which has now resulted in High being charged.

About the alleged victim

***Seriously injured in incident: Darren Edmundson was taken to hospital by ambulance***

Darren Edmundson has previously attracted attention locally and nationally under the name “Pembrokeshire Patriot,” becoming known for outspoken activism and online broadcasting. His activities and campaigns have generated both support and controversy.

He has also been linked to disputes surrounding a veterans’ support initiative and other activism-related issues, which he has strongly denied wrongdoing.

No further details about Edmundson’s injuries were disclosed during the magistrates’ hearing.