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Crime

Jamie Oliver calls on fans to help solve ‘cheese heist’

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CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has urged the public to be vigilant for any suspiciously cheap “posh cheese” on the market after over 22 tonnes of high-quality cheddar were stolen in a sophisticated heist targeting Neal’s Yard Dairy, a prominent London cheese specialist.

The stolen goods, valued at over £300,000, include award-winning cheeses like Hafod Welsh cheddar, crafted at Bwlchwernen Vawr Farm, home of Holden Dairy—a 300-acre organic farm in West Wales. .

This unique cheese is produced in limited quantities using unpasteurised milk from a small herd of Ayrshire cows.

The perpetrators, posing as legitimate wholesalers for a major French retailer, obtained 950 cloth-bound cheeses from Neal’s Yard Dairy before the scam was uncovered.

In a post to his Instagram followers, Oliver expressed his dismay, describing the theft as “a brazen heist of epic proportions.” He encouraged people to be vigilant, noting, “If anyone hears anything about posh cheese going for cheap, it’s probably some wrong’uns.” Referring to the bizarre nature of the theft, Oliver added, “It feels like a really weird thing to nick.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, which they said was reported on Monday, but so far, no arrests have been made.

International outpouring of support

Neal’s Yard Dairy reported being “overwhelmed” with support following the theft. Sarah Stewart, the owner of the artisanal cheese retailer, told The Times, “British people clearly love their cheese. Trade customers are asking, ‘What can we do?’ and we’ve had a lot of international support. Our shops have seen concerned customers, and e-commerce orders have spiked.”

The firm, based in Southwark, also confirmed it had paid the small-scale cheese producers, ensuring they wouldn’t face the financial burden of the theft. Despite the setback, Neal’s Yard Dairy is receiving uplifting messages and additional orders from both local and global customers.

The scam reportedly began in July when fraudsters contacted Neal’s Yard Dairy, impersonating a known European cheese distributor. The interaction continued over several months, showing a sophisticated understanding of the industry.

Police inquiries into the case are ongoing.

Crime

Dozens of alleged litter offenders to face court in Haverfordwest

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HAVERFORDWEST MAGISTRATES’ COURT will hear a series of littering cases tomorrow, with individuals from across Pembrokeshire and beyond accused of offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The cases primarily involve cigarette butts being dropped and left in public spaces, with locations spanning Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest, Tenby, Milford Haven, and other towns.

The following individuals are set to appear:

  1. Nathan Abbott, 30, of Hakin, Milford Haven
  2. Alex Austin, 49, of Malvern, Worcestershire
  3. Tim Benfan, 36, of Rugby, Warwickshire
  4. Anthony Bevan, 39, of Pembroke
  5. Melissa Bevan, 43, of Pembroke
  6. Arron Bridges, 23, of Crundale, Haverfordwest
  7. Daniel Brooks, 38, of Tenby
  8. Dale Brown, 38, of Milford Haven
  9. Stephen Charkes, 62, of Llanelli
  10. John Cotton, 60, of Ledbury, Herefordshire
  11. Chaves De Oliveria, 24, of London
  12. James William Gwyn Dewhurst, 38, of Haverfordwest
  13. Kevin Filer, 66, of Milford Haven
  14. Barry Frost, 64, of Bradford, West Yorkshire
  15. Andrew Griffiths, 41, of Aberdare
  16. Robert Jeffrey Hamblin, 42, of Pembroke
  17. Victoria Hodgson, 34, of Pembroke
  18. Gerald Maddocks, 40, of Haverfordwest
  19. Deana Sophia Mead, 31, of Milford Haven
  20. Jacqueline Niblett, 63, of Hengoed
  21. Micheal Raymond, 55, of Cowbridge
  22. Shaun Tuxker, 38, of Haverfordwest
  23. Liam Unsworth, 27, of Narberth
  24. Shaun Manche, 41, of Milford Haven
  25. Chelsea McLaren, 29, of Narberth
  26. Marian Radoi, 40, of Haverfordwest
  27. Leah Reynolds, 31, of Haverfordwest
  28. James Stewart, 44, of Pembroke Dock
  29. Andrew Stokes, 53, of Stourport-on-Severn
  30. Nicola Wilkins, 48, of Swansea
  31. Rhys R Williams, 24, of Tonyrefail
  32. Ryan Williams, 45, of Swansea
  33. John Wright, 41, of Pembroke Dock

Each case involves allegations of littering, primarily cigarette butts, in public places such as streets, car parks, and parks across Pembrokeshire. Offenders face maximum penalties of up to £2,500 under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Authorities hope these proceedings will serve as a reminder to the public about the importance of maintaining clean and litter-free communities.

Pictured: Litter enforcement officer in Haverfordwest (Image: File)

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Crime

Merthyr men accused after Pembrokeshire pub altercation

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THREE MEN from Merthyr Tydfil are facing serious charges following a violent incident at The Boathouse in Saundersfoot on Friday (Oct 28) 2022.

James O’Neill, 53, is accused of grievous bodily harm with intent. His son, Aron O’Neill, 25, and nephew, Shaun Nicholas, 24, are charged with causing actual bodily harm.

Confrontation caught on CCTV

The altercation, captured on CCTV, began after a reported dispute involving James O’Neill and the complainant, Stephen Kanauros. Witnesses testified that O’Neill struck Kanauros to the ground after an earlier confrontation with staff and an alleged incident involving Kanauros’ wife.

James O’Neill has previous convictions for actual bodily harm, dating back to 1989.

Witness accounts

Key witnesses gave evidence at Swansea Crown Court today, detailing the events leading up to the violent encounter.

Jasmine Kanauros, the victim’s daughter, recounted how her stepmother, Kate, was shoved by James O’Neill while dancing near the door. “She stumbled backwards, and that got everyone’s attention,” Jasmine said. Her father intervened, shouting, “That’s my wife,” before rushing to her defence. Jasmine described the moment their heads collided and hearing someone shout, “He’s biting him.”

Adam Bolwell, who was with Jasmine at the time, also described the escalation. “Stephen got up between Kate and the man, and then the kerfuffle happened again,” he said, adding that he later saw James O’Neill latch onto Stephen’s face during the struggle.

Harry Lewis, another witness, described the chaotic scene. “There was grappling, grabbing—so many people around him. It was like a tornado of people,” he said. Lewis also saw blood on the victim’s lip and a towel being used to stem the bleeding.

James Olliet, another onlooker, testified about seeing punches thrown and the aftermath of the fight. “I couldn’t tell if the blood on the man’s face was his or someone else’s,” he said. After the defendants walked away, shouting at staff, police arrived and reportedly recovered a piece of the victim’s lip near the pub’s entrance.

Gruesome discovery

Colin Barrett, a member of the band playing at the pub that night, testified about the gruesome discovery. “We had just started playing ‘Proud Mary’ when I noticed something going on,” Barrett said. Later, while loading equipment into a van, he found a piece of the victim’s lip outside the pub door. “I took a photo and zoomed in—it was the lip,” he told the court.

Medical testimony

Medical experts highlighted the severity of Stephen Kanauros’ injuries. A facial and plastic surgeon testified that the victim suffered a significant wound to his lower lip, a gum tear, and puncture wounds to his face and fingers. “The patient was taken to the theatre under local anaesthetic,” the surgeon said.

The trial continues.

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Crime

Warrant issued for Haverfordwest man accused of assault

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A WARRANT without bail has been issued for David Guy, the Haverfordwest man accused of assaulting a person in Market Street, Haverfordwest, causing him actual bodily harm.

Guy, 48, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, was scheduled to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, December 10. However, following his non-appearance, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

Guy is accused of assaulting Mr Andrew Mark Lloyd during an alleged incident in the town centre on August 8.

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