News

Official report into Joanna C tragedy released

Published

4 years ago

August 15, 2022

Cerys Lafferty

Robert Morley

AN OFFICIAL report has revealed the heartbreaking final moments of a Pembrokeshire fisherman who died as his ship sank.

Ship’s mate Robert Morley, was thrown into the sea in the early hours of November 21, 2020, when the Joanna C capsized off the coast of Newhaven.

Mr Morley, 38, lived in Llangolman and Clarbeston Road with his fiancée and two children but worked away on fishing boats for extended periods of time.

Robert’s fiancée, Natasha Croydon, said that Robert had intended on leaving at Christmas and “he was just doing it one last time to have a fantastic Christmas and we never got that.”

Captain David Bickerstaff, 34, was pulled from the sea hours later, the sole survivor of the tragedy, which also sadly claimed the life of 26-year-old deckhand, Adam Harper.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) discovered that there was a life raft on the ship, but it did not inflate, which “adversely affected the survivability of the crew”.

The MAIB investigation, which was released earlier this summer, reveals how the scallop dredger ran into trouble after being entangled in a line of whelk pots.

After Robert was thrown into the cold sea, David and Adam became trapped in the bunk room for approximately 40 minutes.

Shortly before 6am, David started to notice the ship sinking and opened an escape hatch, telling Adam they needed to get out.

David luckily managed to escape the sinking ship but Adam remained trapped inside as it went down.

The report stated: “When the vessel started to sink, the skipper was able to escape, which was fortunate given the darkness and likely obstructions in his path.

“However, the deckhand remained trapped.

“Once the vessel had begun to sink water ingress to the crew accommodation was likely rapid, denying the deckhand any opportunity to escape.”

David found Mr Morley in the water and the pair were able to see “the lights off other fishing vessels nearby”.

Sadly, before he could be rescued, Robert “succumbed to the cold and drifted away, leaving the skipper holding on to the lifebuoy”.

The report said: “The mate was tangled in an orange rope attached to the lifebuoy and was very cold.

“While attempting to untangle the mate, his lifejacket was removed and was lost.

“The consequent loss of dexterity and useful movement in his arms and legs meant that he could not maintain his hold on the lifebuoy, which was his only means of support following the loss of his personal flotation device.

“Without support, the mate’s ability to maintain his head and airway above the water was lost and he likely slipped below the surface and drowned.”

Robert and his son Taylor. (Credit – Adrian White)

It is unknown how long Robert was in the water before he died.

The report estimates it could have been anywhere up to 3 hours 45 minutes after the boat capsized.

“After one hour in the water, the mate was within the window for exhaustion, unconsciousness, and death from hypothermia,” the report continued.

“Without the support afforded by a personal floatation device or the shelter of a life raft, his chances of survival were significantly reduced.”

When the Joanna C got into trouble, the boat’s emergency radio went off, alerting the coastguard.

A large search was undertaken, and David was eventually rescued from the ocean around 8.50 a.m.

Divers discovered Adam’s 26-year-old body five days later.

The following month, Robert’s body was discovered washed up near Bexhill.

Writing on Facebook, his stepfather, Barry Woolford, from Brixham, said: “To all the beautiful people of Brixham, it is with much sadness that I have to inform you that our son Robert Morley has been identified as the body that was brought from the sea at Bexhill in December.

“Thank you all for your fantastic support and love these past 12 weeks.”

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.