Counter-terror officers arrest man in Powys as part of national security investigation

THREE men have been arrested in Wales and London on suspicion of assisting Chinese intelligence services in the United Kingdom.

The arrests were made on Wednesday (Mar 4) as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation being carried out under the National Security Act 2023, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Two of the suspects were detained in Wales, while a third man was arrested in London.

Police said the men are aged 39, 43 and 68.

The 43-year-old was arrested at an address in Pontyclun, while the 68-year-old was detained in Powys. A 39-year-old man was arrested in London.

Shocking links to Westminster

The Guardian has reported that one of the men arrested is the partner of a sitting Labour MP, while another is said to be the partner of a former Labour MP. Police have not confirmed the identities of the suspects.

Officers also carried out searches at a number of properties linked to the suspects, including addresses in Cardiff and East Kilbride in Scotland, as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrests relate to suspected offences involving assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be connected to China.

In a statement, police emphasised that the operation is being handled by Counter Terrorism Policing, which is responsible for national security investigations in the UK.

Suspects in police stations

Officers confirmed the suspects remain in custody while enquiries continue.

Police also reassured the public that there is no immediate danger.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “There is no imminent or direct threat to the public.”

The National Security Act, introduced in 2023, created new offences designed to combat espionage, foreign interference and covert activity by hostile states operating in the UK.

The investigation is continuing.

Crash happened outside Haverfordwest McDonald’s just three months after passing test

A TEENAGE motorist has been sentenced after causing serious injuries to a pedestrian on a zebra crossing outside McDonald’s in Haverfordwest, just three months after passing his driving test.

CCTV footage shown to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week captured restaurant employee Cameron Davies walking towards the car park zebra crossing after completing an eight-hour shift on July 17. As he began to cross, a white Vauxhall Corsa driven by 17-year-old Jayden Kerrick approached at speed and struck him.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Cameron Davies described the moment his evening took a devastating turn.

“When I finished my shift at 10:00pm I left the restaurant via the front door,” he said.

“I recall walking towards the crossing. I checked to the right and left to make sure the path was clear, but as I started walking onto the crossing my next recollection was coming round in the back of an ambulance.”

Davies was taken to Withybush General Hospital where doctors treated him for a bleed on the brain after he struck his head on the car park tarmac during the collision. The impact also triggered a seizure, and he continues to receive medication as a result.

The court heard that he continues to suffer a number of ongoing symptoms, including dizziness, poor coordination and flashbacks to the moment his head struck the ground whenever he hears loud banging noises. Investigations into the full extent of his injuries are continuing.

“I’m now back at work but I’m extremely wary every time I approach any crossing,” he said.

“At the time of the incident I was learning to drive, and this was something I was looking forward to. But this has now been put on hold after being told that I’m unable to drive for 12 months as a result of the seizures.”

Jayden Kerrick, now aged 18, of Baring Gould Way, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“His guilty pleas have been made without hesitation and he accepts full responsibility for what happened that night,” she told the court.

“He was just seventeen when this happened, so he was a young and inexperienced driver. He’s deeply devastated that his actions have caused injury to the complainant and he’s asked me to express his unreserved remorse.”

Harries said Kerrick had seen Davies leaving the restaurant.

“But there was a split-second error, and he realises that the consequences are real,” she said.

“He has been replaying the events in his mind ever since and has found the experience extremely distressing. This is not someone with a pattern of offending, but someone who made a serious mistake that night and who has reflected deeply upon it.”

Kerrick, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to an 18-month community order. During that time he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sentenced after punching a convicted paedophile inside a town centre pub.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Michael Harries, aged 40, approached the victim inside the Wetherspoons pub in Haverfordwest in October before punching him twice in the face.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that the victim had been in the pub for around nineteen minutes before closing time when the incident occurred.

“The victim was in the pub approximately nineteen minutes before closing time and noticed a male he didn’t know shout at him and call him a paedophile,” she said.

“The defendant then used his fist to punch the victim twice to the face, causing him to fall to the ground.”

Magistrates were shown CCTV footage of the incident along with a photograph of the victim’s injuries. The victim suffered a laceration to his nose and swelling to his left eye.

He attended Withybush General Hospital following the assault but left after being told he could face a wait of up to seven hours to see a doctor.

Police officers were called to the scene, and the court heard that Harries could be heard repeatedly shouting: “He’s a f****** paedophile. He’s a f****** nonce.”

During the arrest, a female police officer was heard telling Harries to stand still. She could also be heard shouting: “Don’t pinch me… stop pinching me.”

Harries, of Barn Street, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and to assaulting an emergency worker. He also admitted failing to attend an initial assessment appointment linked to suspected cocaine use.

Probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates that Harries did not know the victim personally but had acted after hearing information about him.

“He doesn’t personally know the victim, but he heard some information about him which led to the assault,” she said.

Harries was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said his client deeply regretted the incident and had taken steps to change his behaviour.

“At that time he was drinking and taking drugs as a coping mechanism to deal with a number of issues, including the breakdown of a long-term relationship,” he said.

“He deeply regrets this very unpleasant incident, but since then he has taken significant steps to address his behaviour.”

Magistrates sentenced Harries to an 18-month community order.

The order requires him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, undergo a 120-day alcohol monitoring requirement, and carry out 75 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim, £150 compensation to the police officer, £170 court costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.