A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.

A MAN and a teenage accomplice who set fire outside a family caravan in Pembrokeshire had been paid to carry out the attack, a court has heard.

Swansea Crown Court was told that a couple were living in a static caravan on farmland in Ambleston with their children and dogs on the evening of Thursday (Nov 7), 2024.

At around 9:30pm the couple heard a vehicle arriving nearby. Moments later, flames appeared outside one of the caravan windows.

The occupants rushed outside and discovered that one fire had been started beneath the window, while another had been lit on the opposite side of a nearby hedge. They managed to extinguish both fires themselves before calling emergency services.

Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir told the court that officers later saw two individuals walking towards a petrol station in Haverfordwest that night. The pair were wearing hooded tops and carrying a green petrol can before getting into a white Audi.

Following the arson report, police located the vehicle and arrested Jack Newman and a 16-year-old boy.

A fire investigation later concluded that the blazes were small and would probably have burned themselves out if they had not been spotted quickly.

Officers also discovered a melted green petrol container close to the caravan.

Examination of Newman’s phone uncovered messages with a contact saved as “Best Buys” discussing the location of the caravan in Ambleston. Prosecutors said the messages included references to carrying out the attack for £500.

Further Snapchat messages between Newman and the teenager earlier that day also discussed plans to start the fire.

Both defendants admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered when the case came to trial.

The court heard neither defendant had previous convictions.

Defending Newman, Ieuan Rees told the court the 22-year-old had previously been of good character and that his involvement in the offence was out of character. However, he accepted Newman had taken the more significant role in the incident.

The defence also said Newman had not committed any further offences since the incident.

Representing the younger defendant, Robin Rouch said his client had cooperated fully with the Youth Offending Team and had shown maturity since the incident, which took place when he was 16.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said the pair had been paid by a third party to carry out the attack.

“This was not some childish prank,” he told them. “It was a revenge attack carried out for a perceived grievance.”

Newman, of Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

The teenager, now aged 17 and who cannot be named for legal reasons, received a Youth Rehabilitation Order. The order includes 12 months of supervision and 40 hours of unpaid work.

A 41-YEAR-OLD Carmarthen man has been handed a community order after admitting a string of shop thefts carried out over several weeks.

Nicholas Dunn, aged 41, of Maple Crescent, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with a series of shoplifting offences committed in Carmarthen during January and February this year.

The court heard that Dunn targeted stores on multiple occasions, mainly stealing groceries from a local Co-op store.

Among the offences, Dunn admitted stealing groceries worth £24 on January 31, groceries worth £41 on January 16, and groceries worth £50.50 on January 26. Further thefts included items worth £37.05 and £69.25 during the same month.

The offences continued into February, with Dunn admitting stealing groceries worth £101.50 from the Co-op on February 11 and groceries worth £81.85 on February 7.

In a separate incident on February 1, Dunn also stole a toy valued at £60 from The Entertainer store in Carmarthen.

All offences were contrary to Section 1(1) and Section 7 of the Theft Act 1968.

Magistrates sentenced Dunn to a community order running until March 5, 2027. As part of the order, he must comply with supervision and take part in rehabilitation activity requirements, attending appointments or activities as directed by the responsible officer for up to 15 days.

The court also ordered Dunn to pay compensation, including £60 relating to one of the thefts. Dunn received credit for entering guilty pleas.