News

Elderly couple victims of scams

Published

9 years ago

May 14, 2015

Scam mail: The mail received by the
elderly Pembrokeshire couple

THE SON of an elderly South Pembrokeshire couple who spent more than £40,000 of their life savings on fake prize draws has urged others whose family may have also been taken in by scam mail to seek help from Trading Standards.

The man, who does not wish to be named, has spent years urging his parents to ignore junk mail – to no avail.

He said: “Over the years the stress it has put on my father and mother both emotionally and financially has taken its toll on their lives. It has also had a severe impact on other members of the family as well who have tried in vain to advise and intervene in my parents’ actions.”

The problems started around 14 years ago when his father, then aged 75, responded to an advert to buy books and videos.

The couple started to receive more and more junk mail, and his father would make it a priority to respond to it – often staying up late into the night to complete the paperwork for prize draws.

Important mail, such as doctors’ appointments, utility bills, and letters from the local authority, would be completely ignored so that he could continue to respond to the scam mail.

A few years later, he started to develop dementia, and although his son tried to intervene many times, his father still believed he would win – and that he was actually working for some of the companies that were contacting him so frequently.

At the peak of the problem in 2008, the couple were receiving approximately 30 to 40 letters a day – the vast majority from overseas.

But they denied that they were responding to it and hid it all over the house – in cupboards and under the bed.

“My parents were very secretive because they had effectively been ‘groomed’ by the scammers not to tell anyone about what they were doing,” said the son, who is 62.

Over a two-year period, the best part of £9,000 was sent to 70 different companies with payments ranging from £10 to £250, often with multiple payments made on the same day.

And they continued to send money – despite receiving a letter from the Office of Fair Trading saying they were victims of a scam, and cheques returned by the Canadian Police.

At last, after lengthy negotiations with Royal Mail, the son was able to re-direct their mail. Thanks to an understanding bank manager, who made him a signatory on their bank account, he was also able to take control of their finances.

“Because of the mental health issues of my parents I was unable to gain Power of Attorney but eventually with the help of the DSS I was made an appointee for my parents, which allowed me to handle their affairs with regards to benefits, council tax, electricity etc,” he said.

He added: “Until recently when I had a meeting with Pembrokeshire Trading Standards I felt alone and climbing an uphill battle with what at times seemed insurmountable opposition from regulated authorities who would not deal with a ‘third party’ only with the person named on the bill. If you are worried or concerned about a parent or member of the family who you believe is being scammed, take heart. There are ways around the system, you have to take control of the situation and stop the flow of mail and ‘demanding letters’.”

Pembrokeshire’s Trading Standards service has held a number of surgeries throughout the county offering advice on scams, and further ones are planned.

“Scams can cause a lot of anxiety. We are urging anyone concerned about them to contact us, so that we can provide help and professional advice,” said Nigel Watts, Trading Standards, Animal Health and Welfare Manager.

Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member Environmental and Regulatory Services, said anyone could be taken in by a scam.

“These scams are incredibly convincing and many people in Pembrokeshire are being targeted,” he said. “If you think you or your family has been affected, please seek advice. The bravest phone call is the first one to Trading Standards.”

The son added that sadly, the hoaxes are so believable that his parents are still not convinced that they were the victims of scams, despite over two years of intervention.

“Even now, if my parents were to receive another letter promising them that they are ‘A Guaranteed Winner’ of an astronomical sum of money they would continue to believe it,” he said.

There is advice on how to avoid scams on the County Council’s website at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/ tradingstandards

If you think a member of your family or someone you care for has been affected by a scam – or if you think you have – please contact Pembrokeshire’s Trading Standards team via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 / 040505 (for Welsh speakers).

Crime

Former Pembroke Dock mayor admits child abuse image charges

Published

6 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 10), former Pembroke Dock Mayor Terry Judkins has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Judkins, who held office as mayor from May 2021 until his resignation in November 2021, faced multiple charges related to child abuse images.

The court heard that Judkins was charged with creating two Category C indecent images of children and possessing a prohibited image of a child during a period spanning from September 27, 2018, to August 5, 2021.

The 55-year-old admitted to these offences in a hearing that has drawn considerable attention.

However, Judkins denied charges related to possessing extreme pornographic images that depicted bestiality, covering a timeline from January 2010 to August 2021.

Prosecutor Helen Randall indicated that the Crown would pursue a trial on these allegations given Judkins’ not guilty plea.

Additional charges against Judkins include making 52 Category A indecent images of children within the same dates as his earlier admissions.

The former mayor has been granted extra time to consider his plea on this charge, with a future court appearance scheduled for a later date.

This case has cast a shadow over Judkins’ brief tenure as mayor. He resigned last year citing personal reasons and extra work commitments.

News

Welsh rally star eyeing second British championship success

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

OSAIN PRYCE is eyeing his second British Rally Championship (BRC) title after a recording a superb victory in the Severn Valley Stages.

The Welsh star and co-driver Rhodri Evans finished 20 seconds ahead of Irish driver William Creighton, with championship leader Chris Ingram claiming third place.

The result left Pryce 15 points adrift of Ingram after two rounds and boosted his chances of adding to his 2022 British title success.

Pryce was excellent in his Ford Fiesta Rally2, wowing the sizeable crowds who lined iconic stages such as Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin.

The Welshman established an early lead over Ingram before withstanding a charge by Creighton to claim his first BRC victory since Rally Yorkshire in 2022.

“It’s a big relief – I’m so happy to get the win,” Pryce said. “We had a dodgy couple of stages at the end, and to be honest, it was so slippy, but I drove at a pace where I was comfortable.

“I did lose some time, which in the end wasn’t too bad, but we certainly had some hairy moments just trying to keep it on the road. Credit to everyone who’s got me here. Top job from Rhodri too – that’s his first-ever win!

While Ingram currently leads the standings by four points from Creighton, the Irishman could be the biggest threat to Pryce’s title hopes.

He is still getting to grips with his new Ford Fiesta Rally2 car, but has recorded back-to-back second place finishes to force his way into contention.

Bettors in Creighton’s homeland have backed their compatriot to emerge victorious this season, forcing bookmakers to cut his odds to win the title.

Several of the best Irish betting sites also make him the favourite to win the upcoming Jim Clark Rally in Scotland later this month.

However, Pryce will fancy his chances of claiming another victory as he strives to follow up his impressive 2022 British title success.

The Welshman won four of the seven events that season to clinch top spot by an emphatic 19-point margin from Keith Cronin.

With two of the final four rallies of the season set to be staged in Wales, Pryce could be a good bet to upset the odds over the next few months.

He has previously won Rali Ceredigion and the Cambrian Rally, which should give him the confidence he needs to secure another British title.

Farming

King Charles III is new Royal Welsh Agricultural Society patron

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

KING CHARLES III has continued a royal tradition by agreeing to become the new patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).

As Prince of Wales, he consistently supported the RWAS, having visited the Royal Welsh Show seven times from 1969 to 2019 and he opened the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in 2001.

“To have the monarch as our patron is very special,” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive. “We are immensely grateful to His Majesty for continuing his support to the society.

“He is a true champion of rural matters and has a deep affection for Wales. His support as patron will be a great endorsement to the work we do in promoting Welsh agriculture.”

The decision follows a review of the patronages of the late Queen, the former Prince of Wales and the former Duchess of Cornwall. The letter from Buckingham Palace to the RWAS read: ‘His Majesty would be delighted to accept’.

The Queen was patron of the RWAS for 70 years and showed great support. Her support reflected her long-lasting interest in Welsh agriculture, horticulture and rural affairs.

The Queen’s first official role with the RWAS was as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, when she was honorary president. She undertook a triumphant tour of the showground during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen.

The late Queen had followed her late father, George VI, and her grandfather, George V in accepting the patronage.

King George V first became patron as Prince of Wales in 1907 and formally as King in 1911. His Silver Challenge Cup for the best Welsh Cob then became known as the George Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, one of the most famous cups presented at the Royal Welsh Show annually.