Crime
Over £1m spent by police on Stradey Park Hotel asylum seeker protests
DYFED-POWYS POLICE spent over £1 million in response to protests at Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, which was designated to accommodate over 200 asylum seekers.
The revelation came following a Freedom of Information request by BBC Wales.
The protests, which began in early July last year, escalated to the point where fires were set near the site, leading to approximately 40 arrests between mid-August and early October. The Home Office later cancelled the contentious plans to use the hotel for asylum seekers in October.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn disclosed that the situation not only incurred substantial financial costs for the force but also strained its relationship with the local community. Mr. Llywelyn had urged the Home Office to reverse the plans as “a matter of urgency”.

The hotel was initially selected to house up to 241 people under UK government plans aimed at reducing asylum costs. However, the proposal faced significant opposition due to concerns about suitability and lack of information, as expressed by local residents, authorities, and politicians.
Following the announcement, protests intensified outside the hotel, with demonstrators setting up a base near the site. Labour councillor Martyn Palfreman described the episode as an unforeseen and tense period in the area’s history, marked by anxiety and intense community reaction.
Dyfed-Powys Police’s Superintendent Ross Evans, commenting on the situation in October, condemned the extreme behaviour displayed by some protesters, which he deemed exceeded the bounds of lawful protest.
Originally, Mr. Llywelyn had sought a £300,000 reimbursement for the policing costs of the protest. However, the final figure, exceeding £1.165 million, is threefold higher than anticipated. Mr. Llywelyn expressed his lack of surprise at this figure, attributing it to operational and organisational pressures, including Operation Cambrian, which was specifically established in response to the Stradey Park Hotel protests.
Throughout the protests, Mr. Llywelyn consistently communicated with the Home Secretary, voicing concerns about the escalating tensions and urging a re-evaluation of the hotel’s use.
Dame Nia Griffith, Labour MP for Llanelli, criticised the entire undertaking, labeling the plans a complete disaster brought about by incompetence and disregard for local sentiments. She condemned the excessive police expenditure on the protests, arguing that these funds would have been better allocated to enhancing frontline policing and community safety.
Former racial equality commissioner Aled Edwards emphasised the importance of learning from this episode, praising the integrity of the police force in handling the situation. He also highlighted the success of other refugee schemes in Wales, such as those for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
A Home Office spokesperson responded by highlighting ongoing efforts to move asylum seekers out of hotels, a measure currently costing UK taxpayers £8.2 million a day. They assured that the government is committed to equipping the police with necessary resources, confirming a total police funding settlement of up to £18.4 billion for 2024-25, including £148.0 million for Dyfed-Powys Police. The spokesperson added that the allocation of funding and resources remains under the jurisdiction of individual police and crime commissioners.
Crime
Accused Milford Haven rapist to stand trial at Crown Court
A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates accused of rape and sexual assault.
James Kershaw, 46, is charged with raping a woman in Milford Haven between February 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.
He also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with his finger between December 1 and December 30, 2012.
Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23) by video link and denied both charges.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Kershaw is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on July 24.
He was released on conditional bail, with the sole condition that he must not contact the complainant.
Crime
Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH
A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.
Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.
The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).
Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.
The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.
Crime
Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts
Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences
A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.
Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.
The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.
Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.
She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.
Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.
The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.
The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.
In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.
Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.
-
Crime6 days agoMilford Haven man jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order
-
News5 days agoCrash on Freeman’s Way causes school-run chaos across Haverfordwest
-
Crime7 days agoMan wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts
-
Crime7 days agoMan banned from roads after drink-driving offence
-
Crime7 days agoMan jailed after admitting strangulation and assaults
-
Crime7 days agoDrug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000
-
Crime7 days agoMan sentenced over stalking campaign and lock knife offence
-
Health3 days agoWoman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession





