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Clean up follows train derailment, as police rule out foul play

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NATURAL RESOURCES WALES have been dealing with the diesel spilled as a result of the train derailment and fire in Carmarthenshire.

The work comes as British Transport Police said they did not suspect that criminality is a reason for the incident.

Ten wagons, each containing 75 tonnes of diesel, derailed and spilled oil into the Loughor Estuary near Llanelli in Carmarthenshire on Wednesday night (Aug 26).

The cargo train was travelling from an oil terminal in Milford Haven to Reading.

Undamaged wagons were being removed today (Photo D Harries/Herald)

STATEMENT FROM NRW

Work is continuing to recover the diesel from the derailed wagons and the spilled diesel. Trenches have been dug to intercept the diesel and vacuuming and skimming operations are taking place.

Monitoring of local watercourses continues, with booms and absorbent pads being used and regularly replaced to contain as much of the diesel as possible. These techniques are proved to be working well and are removing a considerable quantity of diesel from the water courses.

Network Rail is arranging for a crane to be delivered to the site on Monday evening (31 August) to start removing the wagons from Tuesday (1 September).

Monitoring teams continue to carry out daily surveys around the Loughor Estuary, including around the local fisheries and bathing water sites.

Please report sightings of oil pollution around the estuary to us by calling 03000 65 3000. If you come across any contaminated birds or animals, call RSPCA Cymru on 0300 1234 999.

Diesel is no longer confined to the upper reaches of the estuary (around the Loughor Bridge and upstream) and has been observed at many locations as far as Crofty.

The map shows the observed presence of diesel in the Loughor Estuary on 29 August 2020. The estuary is a very dynamic system influenced constantly by tide and wind, and will influence the movement of the diesel.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has also undertaken aerial surveys to aid the monitoring of the pollution.

The Environment Group set up in response to the incident will support and advise the response units on the identification and priorities for clean-up in the wider estuary.

Steps are being taken to prevent diesel entering waterways (Pic NRW)

CRIMINALITY NOT SUSPECTED

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Langley from British Transport Police said: “Thanks to the efforts of our officers and our colleagues from across the emergency services in making the scene safe at Llangennech, we have been able to conduct an initial investigation into this incident.

“Our initial findings are that the derailment is not believed to have been caused by criminal activity.

“We are therefore handing primacy of the scene to the Office of Rail and Road so that it can carry out its own specialist investigation.

“I would like to once again thank our officers for their efforts during this challenging incident, and I am grateful to all of our partners for their help and support in ensuring the safety of the local community.”

Ten carriages derailed, each containing 75,000 litres of diesel fuel. Three caught fire (Pic D Harries/Herald)

This map from Natural Resources Wales shows the extent of the pollution from the accident (Source: NRW handout)

FROM OUR PHOTOGRAPHER, DARREN HARRIES

On Sunday (Aug 30), we visited parts of the Loughor estuary to find the strong smell of fuel in the air and oil slicks in the rock pools and rivers, from the train incident further up the estuary in Llangennech.
The area around the bridges and car park by Loughor Boating Club and Loughor Inshore Rescue, and surrounding area smells so bad,
‘We had to leave from feeling ill and getting a headache from the diesel fumes.
This may have been down to the wind direction, but it was unpleasant and something to be aware of if visiting the area.
We also noticed that Swansea Council has acted quickly and placed information signs around the area of ‘Notice Of Temporary Closure Of Production Area, signs had be dated on the 27th August.
But a fishermen did attempt to fish, the fuel filled river, but he found it impossible as his line and tackle, including his rod were covered from diesel.
We did not see any information signs on Llanelli side, so it may have been the case of the angler not being aware of the hazard in the estuary, despite the overwhelming smell.
From visiting Llangennech the day after the train wreck and seeing the area of the derailment, I could smell the diesel in the marsh and the river, as it entered the estuary.
Today’s visit to Llangennech, we seen Network Rail were back at work and an Oil Spill Response Company, turn up including a Specialist Security company.
Things are starting to happen.
We did see a post over Facebook, someone had taken a photo of a dead bird in the area, thought to be down to the spill.
Residents in Machynys and other parts of Llanelli can also smell the fumes.
The local cockle beds are closed, putting the cocklers and shellfish gathering on hold, along with fishermen.
The environmental impact on the estuary is not yet known, It’s doubtful that this diesel spill will have no good outcome for our wildlife and fish including the winter visiting birds that use the Loughor estuary and the Llanelli Wetlands.

Crime

Tenby pub encounter led to lockdown rape, court hears

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A London visitor carried out a serious sexual attack during a family holiday in Pembrokeshire

A LONDON man who raped a woman in a Tenby alleyway during the Covid lockdown period has been jailed for eight and a half years.

Nicholas Mitchell, aged 60, had travelled to the seaside town from Bromley with his daughters in May 2021, as pandemic restrictions were beginning to ease. While out drinking, he struck up a conversation with a woman in a local pub.

Later that night, the court heard, Mitchell followed her into a narrow alleyway, where he subjected her to a serious sexual assault before raping her. He then left the area, abandoning the woman in a state of shock and distress.

Police were alerted and an investigation led to Mitchell’s arrest. He denied any wrongdoing, but a jury convicted him in November of two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.

During sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, prosecutor Ian Wright read a victim impact statement in which the woman described the profound effect the attack had on her life. She said she became withdrawn and struggled to leave her home, describing feelings of loneliness, numbness and depression. She told the court the incident had left lasting damage and prevented her from moving forward.

Mitchell was represented by defence barrister James Hartson, who said his client continued to protest his innocence but understood the court was bound by the jury’s findings. He said character references portrayed Mitchell as supportive and hard-working, and argued the offending was entirely out of character.

The defence also drew attention to a delay of more than three years between Mitchell’s arrest and formal charging, describing it as deeply unsatisfactory for all involved.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees rejected any suggestion the offending was momentary or accidental. He said Mitchell had deliberately targeted the victim and carried out a violent and degrading attack before walking away without concern for her welfare.

Addressing the defendant, the judge said alcohol was no excuse, describing the assault as driven by sexual entitlement and calling Mitchell’s actions wicked.

Mitchell will serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody before being released on licence. He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The court was told Mitchell has a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer in October 2020, following an incident linked to a domestic dispute with his estranged wife.

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Crime

Ex-Scout leader jailed over historic sexual abuse of two children

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Abuse carried out in Pembrokeshire and Newport between 1997 and 2002

A MAN who abused two children while working as a Scout leader has been sentenced to prison for historic sexual offences carried out in Pembrokeshire and east Wales.

Paul Skilton, 68, of Llangwm, was convicted at Newport Crown Court of five sexual offences following a jury trial. The offences included two counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault.

The court heard that the abuse took place between 1997 and 2002, when Skilton was aged in his forties. Two children were targeted, with incidents occurring at locations in Pembrokeshire and in Newport, Gwent.

The prosecution said Skilton forced a young girl to touch his penis and then pressed himself against her. In a separate incident involving a boy, he reached inside the child’s clothing and touched his buttocks.

Prosecutor Nick Gedge read statements from both victims. The female victim said the abuse had damaged her ability to trust men. The male victim described long-term harm to his mental health and said the abuse had affected the course of his life.

Defending, Ruth Smith told the court that mitigation was limited because Skilton continued to deny the offences despite the jury’s verdict. She said he had no previous convictions and had otherwise led a law-abiding life.

Ms Smith also said Skilton had been actively involved in Scouting for many years and that no earlier allegations had been made against him. She added that his poor physical health would make custody particularly difficult.

Recorder Paul Hartley-Davies said sentencing was constrained by the law in force at the time the offences were committed.

Skilton was sentenced to a total of four years and six months in prison.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years. Both victims were granted restraining orders preventing any contact.

Skilton was acquitted of six further charges relating to similar allegations.

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Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

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Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).

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