News

School could be examined as part of the inquest

Published

6 years ago

October 7, 2019

MILFORD Haven School could be examined as part of the inquest into the death of Megan Evans.

It is alleged that the 14-year-old was being bullied before she was found dead at her home in Milford in February 2017.

The Coroner for Pembrokeshire, Paul Bennett, held a pre-inquest review on 1 October and said he will consider whether the school missed signs that a teenager was going to take their own life.

An inquest normally looks into the cause of death but can look into the conduct of outside bodies using Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to life.

Mr Bennett said he will think about expanding the inquest but a decision on that is not expected until 2020.

Police are currently looking into allegations of bullying that led to Megan’s death and the coroner’s decision will follow the force’s enquiry.

Megan’s family would like her Facebook page to be looked at and have also said that she received threats on multi-media messaging app Snapchat.

The hearing heard that one message said ‘why don’t you hang yourself’ and that Megan replied with ‘ok’.

It also heard from the family’s solicitor, Christian Howells, who said that the school missed ‘tell-tale’ signs that something wasn’t right with Megan.

Parents Nicola Harteveld and Shaun Evans had tried on numerous occasions to contact the school to speak about their concerns.

The school did not respond to those concerns and the parents said they would get the police involved.

A solicitor for Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr Malcolm Duthie, said that there was no evidence of risk to life which would justify widening the inquest.

He said that the school had in place a bullying response system which offered advice and support to parents.

At a previous inquest, it was revealed that the school had offered Megan counselling and that she was provided with a ‘time out’ pass which she could use when she was finding it hard to cope. Her parents had been made aware of this.

Megan’s mum Nicola had also appeared on ‘This Morning’ in 2017 in which she described her daughter as ‘bright, vivacious, hugely popular, sporty, confident, outgoing, fiery, and independent’. She also stated that Megan was ‘just a normal happy-go-lucky teenager’.

Since her death, Nicola has continually raised awareness of cyberbullying and where children can go if they need any help.

Community

Port launches waterway safety competition with monthly prizes

Published

6 minutes ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced the launch of its first Waterway Safety Competition, set to begin in April.

The initiative aims to promote safe and responsible use of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the busiest and most diverse waterways in Wales. The waterway is used daily by paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, swimmers, and large commercial vessels, making safety a key priority.

As part of the competition, participants are invited to showcase their own interpretation of the waterway through any creative medium. All art forms are welcome, and entries will be judged monthly.

Each month, winners will receive prizes designed to support water safety, including lifejackets and training sessions.

The Port hopes the competition will encourage greater awareness of safety while celebrating the unique character of the waterway.

For more information or to enter, visit: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/waterway-safety-competition/

News

Reform UK unveils Carmarthenshire Senedd candidates

Published

9 minutes ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

REFORM UK Wales has announced its full list of candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) ahead of the Senedd election on Thursday, May 7.

Leading the list is Gareth Beer, the party’s Carmarthenshire chairman, a local businessman, father of four and Kidwelly town councillor. In the 2024 General Election, he came within around 1,500 votes of winning the Llanelli seat — Reform UK’s strongest result in Wales.

Beer said the party had assembled “a strong team of decent, hard-working people” ready to represent the county.

He said: “We have already started campaigning strongly across the constituency, and the reception we are receiving on the doorstep has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People have had enough of the lies they hear from politicians and want to give a new party a genuine chance to make real changes.”

He added that key issues raised by voters included NHS waiting lists, education standards, the economy and the cost of living.

Full candidate list

The Reform UK candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin are:

Gareth Beer – Businessman, Kidwelly town councillor and Carmarthenshire chairman for Reform UK.

Carmelo Colasanto – County and community councillor with a background in retail, compliance and multinational business operations.

Sarah Edwards – Retired dental professional and smallholder, known for campaigning on rural and environmental issues.

Christopher Brooke – Retired engineer and manager with more than four decades’ experience in manufacturing.

Alan Cole – Former senior corporate leader and business owner who has worked with small businesses across South Wales.

Michelle Beer – Marketing and PR professional and Reform UK county councillor for the Lliedi ward, elected in a 2025 by-election.

The party said the team brings experience from business, engineering, healthcare and public service.

Reform UK Wales said its campaign in Carmarthenshire would focus on reducing NHS waiting times, improving education, supporting small businesses and addressing the rising cost of living.

The party is positioning itself as an alternative to what it describes as the political “status quo” in Cardiff Bay.

News

Police watchdog investigates after gunshot fired inside Milford Haven flats

Published

12 minutes ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POLICE firearm was discharged inside a block of flats in Milford Haven during an incident on Saturday evening (March 28), it has emerged.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a single shot was fired at around 6:32pm after officers were called to reports of disorder at Bunkers Hill involving a person believed to be carrying a knife.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now confirmed it has been notified. A spokesperson said the force had made a voluntary conduct referral, which will be assessed before any decision is made on further action.

Police have stated that the firearm was not directed at any individual and that no injuries were reported.

A witness close to the matter told The Herald that the shot was fired as an officer entered the flats and moved up the stairs, with the bullet striking a breeze block wall. This account has not yet been officially confirmed.

When Herald reporters attended the scene on Sunday afternoon, a significant police presence remained, with officers seen going in and out of the building and carrying out checks around the rear of the flats.

The precise circumstances leading to the discharge remain under investigation.

More to follow.