News

Pembrokeshire politicians urge Welsh Government not to overlook local ports

Published

38 seconds ago

January 14, 2026

PEMBROKESHIRE Senedd Members Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have accused the Welsh Government of overlooking the county’s ports after a ministerial statement on the Irish Sea Taskforce failed to mention either Pembroke Dock or Fishguard.

The Irish Sea Taskforce was set up following the temporary closure of Holyhead Port in late 2024 after damage to its berths. The aim was to improve resilience across Welsh and Irish Sea routes, bringing together the Welsh and Irish governments, other UK administrations, local authorities and port, ferry and logistics operators.

But Pembrokeshire’s two MSs said the Transport Secretary’s written statement referenced Holyhead directly while making no specific mention of Fishguard Harbour or Pembroke Dock, despite their role as key ferry terminals and their importance to the regional economy.

During the Holyhead disruption, operators and passengers were forced to seek alternatives, placing additional focus on other Irish Sea routes. The politicians argued that Pembrokeshire’s ports should be recognised in Welsh Government plans for future contingencies, investment and long term connectivity.

The Welsh Government statement did acknowledge the need to look at further improvements to the A40 and A477 trunk roads through Pembrokeshire as part of wider resilience planning, including how disruption at ports is managed and how welfare needs for stranded drivers are met.

Commenting, Paul Davies MS said: “Pembrokeshire plays a strategically vital role in strengthening the long standing relationship between Wales and Ireland and so it’s disappointing that our local ports were not acknowledged in the Welsh Government’s latest statement on the Irish Sea Taskforce. These ports are critical to our regional economy, and they form an essential part of the wider UK Ireland connectivity network.

“Moving forward, I look forward to hearing more about how the Welsh Government will be improving the A40 to better support trade links between the two countries. I’ve long campaigned for the A40 to be dualled to Fishguard and I hope the Welsh Government will seriously consider this proposal, as a way of further strengthening the transport network in the region.”

Samuel Kurtz MS added: “Paul and I are deeply concerned that this Taskforce has not been given the same level of attention to the needs of the ports at Pembroke Dock and Fishguard as it has to Holyhead. These ports are central to the Pembrokeshire economy, they came to the rescue when Holyhead was forced to close, and their role and futures must not be overlooked, and I’ve raised this repeatedly on the floor of the Senedd.

“Sadly, yet again it seems that Pembrokeshire and all it can offer, is a blind spot for Labour Ministers in Cardiff Bay.”

The Welsh Government said the Taskforce work will feed into a wider ports and maritime, freight and logistics plan, with further work also expected on contingency arrangements during disruption, including stacking and driver welfare measures. Ministers have also indicated they want closer ongoing engagement with the sector through a follow on council focused on logistics and freight.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government whether it accepts Pembrokeshire’s ports should have been referenced directly in the Taskforce statement and what, if any, specific work is planned to support Fishguard Harbour and Pembroke Dock alongside road improvements on the A40 and A477.

Crime

Man wanted after probation breach warrant issued

Published

9 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Court Reporter

Pembroke Dock defendant failed to attend court and missed two post-release supervision appointments, magistrates hear

A PEMBROKE DOCK man is wanted by police after Haverfordwest magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest over an alleged breach of post-sentence supervision.

Joshua Spicer, 39, of Flat 5, Main Street, Pembroke Dock, was due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jan 14) but did not attend.

The court heard the National Probation Service had brought breach proceedings alleging Spicer failed without reasonable excuse to comply with supervision requirements imposed following his release from prison.

It is alleged he failed to attend a planned office appointment on Thursday (Jan 2) and again on Friday (Jan 9), contrary to section 256AC of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Magistrates issued a warrant for Spicer’s arrest without bail.

The warrant was allocated to police for execution.

Crime

On-duty paramedic racially abused at Withybush General Hospital

Published

53 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Patient spat near ambulance crew member and used a racial slur while being treated, court hears

A SERVING paramedic at Withybush Hospital was subjected to racist abuse after being told to “f*** off” by a patient he was attempting to treat, a court has heard.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court was told the paramedic attended to Christian Teeley, 22, on June 15, 2025, after the defendant was brought to Withybush General Hospital by ambulance.

Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Thomas said the abuse began as the paramedic reached the ambulance.

“He was told by the defendant to f*** off,” she said. “The defendant then continued calling him a f****** b******, and began spitting at the floor, with the spit landing a few inches away from the paramedic.”

The court heard the comments then became racist.

“He called him a ‘wog’, which was taken as a racial slur,” Ms Thomas told magistrates.

The prosecutor said Teeley has eight previous convictions, including a similar racially aggravated matter in 2021.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the paramedic described the lasting impact of the incident.

“I feel that being spat at is far worse than being punched,” he said.

“He was targeting me for no reason, and this incident has had a great impact on me. His actions have taken away from being able to help other members of the public.”

Teeley, of Cherry Tree Close, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

He was represented by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told the court there had been no physical contact during the incident.

“He recognises his actions were reckless and entirely inappropriate, and he wants to apologise for his behaviour,” she said.

Ms Harries said Teeley was still wearing a neck brace at the time after suffering a brain injury in a road traffic accident and could not remember much of what happened.

“But he doesn’t want to use that as an excuse,” she said. “He’s ashamed about his behaviour, as he didn’t even know what the word ‘wog’ meant.”

Magistrates sentenced Teeley to an 18-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and an alcohol abstinence tag for 120 days.

He was also fined £60 and ordered to pay £150 compensation to the paramedic, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court over alleged car assault

Published

56 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant denies dangerous driving and causing woman actual bodily harm during road dispute

A HAVERFORDWEST man is to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of driving his Mercedes into a woman during an alleged altercation, causing her actual bodily harm.

Barrie Knight, 59, of Dennant House, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and dangerous driving.

Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Thomas told the court the alleged incident took place at Spring Gardens, Barn Street, Haverfordwest, on July 6.

“The victim had gone out of her home address and spoke to the defendant regarding an on-going road dispute,” she said.

“The defendant then gave her the middle finger, called her a c*** and drove his vehicle towards her, hitting her with the bonnet.”

The Crown alleges the woman sustained tyre-mark injuries to the front of her feet, along with swelling, bruising and grazing to her elbows and to the skin around her ankles.

Knight denied the allegations.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction following an application by the Crown, meaning the case will now be dealt with at Swansea Crown Court.

Proceedings are due to commence on February 13. Knight was released on unconditional bail.