News
Megan’s heartbroken mother hits out at police over lack of support
AN EMOTIVE post on social media by the mother of Megan Evans, the 14-year-old Milford Haven schoolgirl who took her own life last month, has received hundreds of reactions within hours of publication.
The scathing account by the heartbroken mother regarding the lack of support she has received from both police and Megan’s school has received a wave of reaction on Facebook.
In an emotional post Nicola Harteveld said: “Contrary to what was reported regarding specialist officers supporting us a family, I should like to put the record straight for two reasons.
“Firstly I am utterly devastated and disappointed, that we as a family are left to cope alone after suffering the ultimate tragedy of losing Megan and secondly to stop any other family in the future having to go through what we are going through.
“I have left it a month to see what support will transpire – but am still left wondering. Our grief today is still as raw as the moment we found out our beautiful Megan was gone, yet we still stand alone.
“We have not had contact with a police officer regarding the investigation since early hours of 8th February and am still waiting to hear about counselling for ourselves & our children.
“If it wasn’t for me personally contacting my GP ten days later asking for advice, who then promptly arranged specialist support for the children, I don’t know where we would be.
“Then to add insult to injury, we have had no contact from Megan’s school since her death whatsoever, despite numerous attempts on our behalf to collect personal items & work of hers at the school. This has resulted in us resorting to sending a solicitors letter, just so we can collect these precious things.
“We are left hurt and dismayed at the total lack of support & compassion shown by both parties. Dyfed-Powys Police and Milford Haven School bow your heads in shame.
“We have a long road ahead of us but we will fight for Megan and campaign to ensure changes are implemented so others don’t suffer this travesty. If it wasn’t for our fine community and members of the public with their kind gestures and messages of support. We’re not sure we would have come as far as we have today
Ms Harteveld ended the post by saying: “Yet again our services have let us down.”
The Herald has contacted Pembrokeshire County Council on behalf of Milford Haven School and Dyfed-Powys Police for a comment.
There were over 120 comments from local people on Facebook, and over 350 reactions within hours of Wednesday night’s post.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is continuing to conduct an investigation on behalf of HM Coroner for Pembrokeshire into the tragic sudden death of 14-year-old , from Milford Haven.
“The force initially deployed a specialist family liaison officer to work with and support the family. A senior detective officer has been in contact with the family and will be making further contact with them today to discuss any further concerns they may have.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain firmly with the family. While the investigation is still underway we would urge people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding Megan’s death. We wish to reassure the community that this matter is being taken very seriously, and we are following-up all possible lines of enquiry to establish a picture of what happened in the lead-up to Megan’s death. Anyone with any information that may assist the enquiry is asked to contact Milford Haven CID.”
A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council told the Herald: “As the local education authority, we strongly refute allegations of a lack of support from the school for Megan’s family.
“Support, including counselling, has been offered to the family on several occasions but has been repeatedly declined.
“The family chose a local headteacher to act as a liaison officer between themselves and the school.
“The liaison officer has returned all of Megan’s artwork. This was done promptly following a request from the family.
“The only items which belong to Megan and which remain in school are her exercise books.
“Arrangements are in hand to return these to the family together with a Book of Condolence prepared by the school.
News
Police search for distressed man in Pennar ends safely
Concerns for welfare raised in early-hours incident near Bentlass Terrace
POLICE were called to Pennar in the early hours of Sunday (Mar 29) after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man near Bentlass Terrace.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a call at around 2:45am reporting concerns for the individual’s safety.
A search was carried out in the area and the man was later located before being taken to hospital.
The incident is understood to have happened near the garages at Bentlass Terrace, with witnesses reporting a police presence in the area between around 3:00am and 5:00am.
The force has not released further details about the circumstances, but confirmed the matter was treated as a welfare concern rather than a criminal incident.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call reporting concerns for the welfare of an individual at around 2.45am on Sunday, March 29.
“A search was conducted for the man, who was located and taken to hospital.”
The Herald understands officers acted quickly after the report was made, and the man was found alive and given medical assistance.
Crime
Driver spared jail after crash killed young couple
A PEMBROKE DOCK driver who caused the deaths of a young couple in a road crash has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.
MacCallum had previously admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving when he appeared before the same court on 9 February.
The case related to a fatal two-vehicle collision on the A477 near Llanddowror at about 3:50pm on 13 June 2024.
The court heard that MacCallum was driving a Jaguar XKR when he lost control in wet conditions, crossed the carriageway and collided with a Ford Fiesta being driven by Adam Muskett, aged 27. His partner, Katie Worrell, aged 25, was a passenger in the car.
Mr Muskett died at the scene. Ms Worrell was taken to hospital with catastrophic injuries but died later the same day.
In a joint family statement, relatives of the couple said: “We would like to thank the emergency services who attended that fateful day and the people who stopped to help Katie and Adam. We are forever grateful to them.
“We recognise the sentence of the court, but there is no sentence that will ever bring our children and siblings back. We appreciate the work of Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to secure a conviction.
“Adam and Katie’s deaths were unnecessary. Had the defendant not driven his car in the manner that he did, they would still be with us.
“We now wish for privacy after what has been a long and difficult journey to the conclusion of this prosecution.
“We urge everyone to consider the manner and speed in which they drive their vehicles.”
PC Lucy Brookes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Following the tragic deaths of Adam and Katie, a full investigation into the collision was launched, and after consideration of the evidence it was deemed that MacCallum’s manner of driving was inappropriate for the very poor weather conditions.
“He was charged through a postal requisition in November 2025 and has now been sentenced.
“This has been a lengthy investigation into an incident which claimed the lives of two young people. While nothing can undo the loss of Adam and Katie, it is hoped that today’s sentence goes some way to providing justice for their loved ones, who have shown incredible strength throughout this process. Our thoughts very much remain with them.”
Business
Welsh Fed members engage with Labour candidate on key retail issues ahead of election
FIONA and Vince Malone, owners of Tenby Stores, in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and members of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), met with Marc Tierney, Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro and Pembrokeshire County Councillor in the upcoming Senedd elections on May 7.
The meeting on Saturday, February 28, focused on the critical challenges facing independent retailers and followed the publication of the Fed’s manifesto for the Welsh election.
Key issues addressed during the meeting included the impact of rising business rates bills on small shops, as well as the significant social and economic value that post offices and convenience stores offer to their neighbourhoods. The Malones highlighted the rising costs resulting from above-inflation increases in the national minimum wage and higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) that have placed further financial strain on independent businesses such as theirs, and others across Wales and the rest of the UK.
The importance of post offices in providing essential banking facilities was emphasised, underscoring their role in sustaining local economies through their range of services including postal and banking as well as government services such as vehicle tax renewal and passport applications.
Additionally, the conversation touched on the pressing issue of retail crime. The Malones showed how they had taken steps to reduce this problem, including the implementation of extensive CCTV coverage and the utilisation of AI technology, but that the threat remained.
With the introduction of the deposit return scheme (DRS) in Wales on the horizon, the Malones expressed their support for initiatives aimed at improving recycling rates. However, they raised concerns regarding the inclusion of glass in the scheme in Wales, highlighting that it would be difficult for small shops to implement because of the dangers associated with broken glass and weight involved in moving it.
Vince Malone said: “I want to thank Marc again for his visit and discussing these important issues and for his clear interest. Fiona and I remain committed to advocating for the interests of small shops – as members of the Federation of Independent Retailers – working with all parties at the Senedd ahead of May’s election and beyond.”
Marc Tierney said: “Vince and Fiona are active retailers, who go the extra mile for their community and are well known for their advocacy for the independent retail sector, not just in Wales but across the UK. My visit highlighted the importance of their postal service, banking hub and convenience shop. Providing these services under one roof is exactly the type of model that can sustain services in our rural, coastal communities. I look forward to working with them in the run-up to the election and beyond.”
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