A HAVERFORDWEST man who sent bulk messages advertising cocaine for sale has been jailed for two years and four months.

Callum Chadwick, aged 26, of Barn Street, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine over a period of almost two years.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply following a separate incident in Goodwick.

The court heard that Chadwick used his mobile phone to send messages to multiple customers detailing the drugs he had available.

Joseph Hocquard, prosecuting, said the dealing operation ran from June 27, 2024, until May 9, 2026.

Chadwick had initially claimed that he had supplied cocaine only to a small group of friends. However, that basis of plea was later withdrawn after the prosecution disputed his account.

The defendant had one previous conviction for drug-driving, for which he received a fine and a 12-month driving ban.

Daniel Griffiths, defending, said Chadwick began supplying cocaine to fund an addiction which had spiralled out of control.

He told the court that Chadwick and his former partner had been consuming significant quantities of the drug each day.

Mr Griffiths said Chadwick had cooperated with police after his arrest and provided officers with the PIN number for his mobile phone.

He added that Chadwick had admitted the offences at the earliest opportunity, regretted the distress caused to his family and had strong support from relatives who remained concerned about his future.

The court also heard that a probation officer believed Chadwick had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Thomas KC described the operation as a “fairly substantial commercial venture”.

He told Chadwick that illegal drugs caused serious harm within communities and said the defendant had known the consequences he faced if caught.

The judge also rejected Chadwick’s earlier attempt to suggest that his dealing had been limited to a few friends.

“You have been less than honest about the scale and nature of your drug dealing,” he said.

Chadwick was sentenced to 28 months in prison.

Dyfed-Powys Police later released his custody photograph.

A further hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is expected to take place at a later date.

A national secularist organisation has backed Pembrokeshire County Council’s plans for Cilgerran school, while the Church in Wales continues to oppose the proposed change and has warned of possible legal action

PLANS to replace Cilgerran Church in Wales VC School with a community school have prompted sharply differing responses from education and religious organisations.

Pembrokeshire County Council has proposed discontinuing the existing voluntary controlled school and establishing a new 3-11 community school on the site.

The authority has argued that changing the school’s status could provide greater flexibility when considering its long-term future, including the possibility of federation with other nearby community schools.

However, the proposal has faced strong opposition from the Church in Wales, the Diocese of St Davids and members of the school community.

The Church has questioned the council’s justification for the change and says the overwhelming majority of responses submitted during the statutory consultation opposed the proposal.

It has also raised concerns about the future use of the school buildings and land, which are owned by the Diocese of St Davids.

The Church in Wales has issued formal notice that legal action may follow if the council proceeds and has said the diocese would not agree to the premises being used for a community school without the relevant legal and property matters being resolved.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said no change would be implemented until questions surrounding land ownership and occupation rights had been addressed in accordance with legal and statutory requirements.

The National Secular Society has now entered the debate, welcoming the council’s proposal.

The organisation, which campaigns for the separation of religion and the state, said community schools were more inclusive and better reflected the religious diversity of modern Wales.

It said: “Inclusive schools which educate pupils together are one of our best means of promoting community cohesion.”

The society also argued that publicly funded schools should be managed in the interests of families from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Its intervention is unlikely to resolve the disagreement surrounding the future of the school, with the council, the Church and local stakeholders continuing to hold significantly different views.

The proposal concerns the legal status and governance of the school. It does not mean that pupils or families with Christian beliefs would be excluded from attending the proposed community school.

Equally, opponents of the change argue that Cilgerran school’s Church in Wales identity is an important part of its history and relationship with the local community.

Any final decision will need to take account of the consultation responses, the council’s education strategy, the interests of pupils and staff, and the unresolved legal and property issues surrounding the site.

Help to Buy Wales, Help to Stay Wales and the Empty Homes Grant will continue until March 2027

HUNDREDS of households across Wales are set to benefit after the Welsh Government announced extensions to three schemes designed to make housing more affordable.

Help to Buy Wales, Help to Stay Wales and the Empty Homes Grant will all continue until March 31, 2027.

The extensions could help up to 400 additional households purchase a newly built home, while funding will be available to renovate as many as 300 empty and neglected properties.

Help to Buy Wales allows eligible buyers to purchase a new-build property with a smaller deposit, supported by a shared-equity loan from the Welsh Government.

The scheme has provided a route into homeownership for many first-time buyers who might otherwise struggle to raise a deposit or secure an affordable mortgage.

Help to Stay Wales will also continue for another year, providing support to homeowners who are experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage repayments and are at risk of losing their homes.

Meanwhile, the Empty Homes Grant will continue to support the renovation of long-term empty properties, bringing neglected buildings back into use as safe and energy-efficient homes.

The Welsh Government said the three schemes would support people at different stages of homeownership, from those purchasing their first property to existing homeowners facing financial difficulties.

Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Siân Gwenllian announced the extensions during a visit to Hollybrook Park in Connah’s Quay, where she met residents who had purchased homes through Help to Buy Wales.

She said: “This government is committed to the principle that every family deserves a safe and affordable home in which to live.

“Increasing the supply of social homes is one way of achieving this, and we have announced our target of delivering 20,000 additional homes.

“We are also offering targeted support for those who own or wish to own their homes, an option that is not affordable or accessible for many as prices continue to grow beyond the reach of local people across many parts of Wales.

“Today I am announcing the extension of three schemes that support people buying their first home, help families avoid losing their homes and help renovate empty properties so they can be brought back into use.

“The cost-of-living crisis has hit hard, and these extensions are about helping families and young people to buy and keep their homes through challenging times.

“I am hugely grateful to our partners, including homebuilders, local authorities, mortgage lenders and the Development Bank of Wales, whose commitment makes all of this possible.

“Together, we will keep pushing to make homeownership a reality for more people right across Wales.”

Louisa Edwards, marketing manager at Edwards Homes Ltd, welcomed the continuation of Help to Buy Wales.

She said: “This is excellent news for first-time buyers, providing continued support to help them purchase a new home in Wales.

“To date, 45 per cent of Edwards Homes’ sales have been made through the Help to Buy Wales scheme, demonstrating just how important and valuable it has been in helping people take their first step onto the property ladder.”