A FORMER Dyfed-Powys Police CCTV operator is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (April 7) for a plea and directions hearing, facing charges of controlling and coercive behaviour, along with offences under the Data Protection Act and Computer Misuse Act.

Russell Hasler, who was arrested in 2023 by the force’s Professional Standards Department, had worked as a CCTV operator since 2019. He resigned from his post while under investigation for alleged offences said to have taken place between 2020 and 2022.

He was previously charged at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 5, 2025, and committed to the Crown Court for further proceedings.

The Herald understands that legal directions will be set today, with a trial date expected to be scheduled later this year.

Hasler remains on court bail.

Milford Haven among ports shortlisted for turbine assembly as £1.4bn Celtic Sea energy project nears final stage

PEMBROKE PORT in Milford Haven has been named as one of seven key UK locations in the running to support the next generation of floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea – a project that could create more than 5,000 jobs and power over four million homes.

The Crown Estate has confirmed that its Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, which will allocate three large sites in the Celtic Sea for floating offshore wind farms, has now entered its final stage. A competitive auction is expected later this spring, with lease agreements to be signed in the summer.

All shortlisted developers have identified a list of “integration ports” where giant wind turbines – potentially as tall as The Shard in London – will be assembled on floating platforms before being towed out to sea. Among the ports named are Pembroke Port, Swansea, Port Talbot, and others across the South West of England and Brittany.

The announcement signals a major opportunity for Pembrokeshire, with Milford Haven’s port infrastructure well-placed to become a hub for renewable energy development.

In March 2024, the Welsh Government provided £1 million in funding to support ground investigation works at Pembroke Port, aimed at accelerating the site’s readiness to host floating wind turbine assembly and deployment. The funding, which was matched by the Port of Milford Haven, marked a major step toward preparing Pembrokeshire for large-scale offshore energy infrastructure. The port’s early involvement in this sector likely strengthened its position in The Crown Estate’s shortlist.

Boost to economy and local jobs

Research by The Crown Estate suggests the wind farm development could deliver a £1.4 billion boost to the UK economy and support at least 5,300 jobs. The winning developers will also work with selected ports to secure long-term investment and regeneration benefits for local communities.

Gus Jaspert, Managing Director of Marine at The Crown Estate, said: “Developing this new technology in the Celtic Sea will open up transformational opportunities for new jobs, investment and growth across Wales, South West England and beyond.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said: “Today’s announcement shows that Wales is ready to seize the golden opportunity of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, and secure more than 5,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment this has the potential to bring.”
“Wales will play a key part in delivering clean power as part of our Plan for Change, boosting economic growth, lowering energy bills and putting more pounds in people’s pockets.”

The turbines – set on floating structures the size of football pitches – will be installed in deeper waters further offshore than fixed-bottom wind farms, unlocking new energy potential and minimising coastal impact.

Port plans to follow auction

Detailed discussions between developers and ports, including Pembroke Port, are expected after the auction phase. The Crown Estate is investing in supply chain acceleration and environmental surveys to reduce risk and speed up delivery.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “By unlocking the untapped potential of the Celtic Sea we will reap the benefits of economic growth and thousands of jobs in Wales and the South West, delivering on our Plan for Change.”

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, added:
“Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will not only advance our clean energy goals but create valuable jobs and investment across Wales’ coastal communities.”

A first step in a larger plan

The three Celtic Sea sites are expected to be the first of many. The Crown Estate’s long-term vision includes leasing up to 12 gigawatts of floating wind capacity in the region by 2030, part of a broader ambition to secure up to 30 gigawatts across UK waters.

As Wales looks to the future, Milford Haven’s strategic location and maritime expertise could make it a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy revolution.

Photo caption:

Future power: Floating wind turbines the height of The Shard could soon be assembled in Milford Haven (Pic: Herald)

Councillors clash on future of pedestrian scheme

CARDIGAN town councillors remain divided over the future of the town’s extended pavements, which were introduced by Ceredigion County Council during the Covid-19 pandemic as a safety measure.

Calls for the removal of the pavements were made last month, with several members describing them as an unwelcome reminder of lockdowns and social distancing. Councillors said the pavements had served their original purpose and were no longer needed.

However, during Tuesday night’s meeting, Cllr Richard Jones expressed support for keeping the wider pavements, describing them as a benefit to the town.

“I think they are a good thing,” he said. “They make the place look busy and give it a kind of European feel. The time for consultation is over. This was discussed at county council level, and none of our councillors attended.”

Cllr Jones was responding to a letter from former town councillor and disability rights campaigner Morvenna Dorita, who criticised the push to remove the pavement extensions. Ms Dorita, who is a wheelchair user, argued that the changes made the town safer for disabled people.

Her view was not shared by all present. County councillor Sian Maehrlein said there were ongoing concerns from residents about the pavements.

“Word on the street is that most people want these pavements gone,” she said. “Some disabled residents have said that, because the tactile paving hasn’t been pressure-washed, it’s hard to tell the difference between the pavement and the road.

“I believe the town would be better and safer if they were removed. Whatever we decide, half the town will support it and the other half won’t. We’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.”

Cllr Nick Bolton also opposed the extensions, suggesting that street furniture from cafés posed more of a hazard.

“These pavements impede people’s right of passage,” he said. “If they were removed, we could fit in more delivery bays on the high street.

“The county council said they’d maintain them and make them safer, but they haven’t spent a bean.”

County councillor Clive Davies reminded members that the county council made the decision to make the pavements permanent in 2022, and any removal would now require a fresh consultation.

He added that, if the town could secure a new street scene grant, there may be scope to improve the overall layout of the high street.

“We could look at bollards to provide better protection for disabled pedestrians,” he suggested.

It was agreed to invite county council officers to visit Cardigan and assess what improvements could be made to the street scene.