NERYS BETHAN LLOYD, 39, a former police officer, has appeared before magistrates charged with the manslaughter of four people who died during a paddleboarding incident in Haverfordwest.

Lloyd, of Jersey Quay, Aberavon, is accused of unlawfully killing Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, Nicola Wheatley, and Paul O’Dwyer. The four victims were part of a stand-up paddleboard tour on the River Cleddau on October 30, 2021, which ended in tragedy.

In addition to the manslaughter charges, Lloyd faces a fifth charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Prosecutors allege that she failed to discharge her general health and safety duties, exposing the victims and others in the group to risks to their health or safety. The alleged failure, which contravenes Section 3(2) of the Act, relates to her role as the sole director of the now-defunct outdoor activity company, Salty Dog Co., which organised the tour.

Lloyd appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier today (Tuesday, Dec 3). During the hearing, she submitted no pleas to the charges.

Given the seriousness of the case, Judge Layton declined jurisdiction, and the matter was committed to Swansea Crown Court. Lloyd is set to appear there on January 3. She was released on unconditional bail.

The charges stem from Britain’s worst paddleboarding accident, which claimed the lives of four people after they were caught in a flooded weir on the River Cleddau. A report by the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch found that the group had been trapped by hydraulic towback at the weir, with no means of escape.

Lloyd, who left her position with South Wales Police three months after the tragedy, now works for a community charity. The investigation into the incident, conducted by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch, spanned two years and highlighted safety shortcomings in the organisation of the paddleboarding excursion.

The deaths of the four paddleboarders — Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, and Paul O’Dwyer, 42 — profoundly affected both their families and the wider community. Tributes poured in following the tragedy, with the victims remembered as devoted family members, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Today’s court appearance marks the start of a legal process that has already drawn significant attention and raised questions about safety standards in outdoor water sports.

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information following a fire at a property in Carmarthenshire.

A report was received at 2:00am on Thursday (Nov 28) that a door to a house on Dillwyn Street in Llanelli was on fire. The property was empty at the time of the incident.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and released on conditional bail as further investigations continue.

Officers are urging anyone with information that could assist their enquiries to come forward. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around Dillwyn Street between 1:00am and 3:00am and may have witnessed the incident or seen anything suspicious.

Reports can be made to Dyfed-Powys Police via the following methods:

• Online: Dyfed-Powys Police Contact Form
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 101
• Text for the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired: 07811 311 908

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting Crimestoppers.

Quote reference: 24001004025.

A 35-YEAR-OLD mother-of-three is set to stand trial in connection with a knifepoint robbery of a taxi driver in Milford Haven.

Kelly Rees, of Summers Villas, Milton, appeared at Swansea Crown Court earlier this week alongside her co-defendant, Ashlee Rees, 23, of Flemish Court, Lamphey. Both pleaded guilty to robbery, admitting they stole a bag containing £50 to £80 from the driver in October.

The court heard that during the incident, Ashlee Rees was armed with a knife, while Kelly Rees allegedly wielded a needle. Although Ashlee Rees pleaded guilty to possessing a blade, Kelly Rees denied having an offensive weapon.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the taxi driver sought medical treatment at the hospital following the robbery.

The case was adjourned until today, Friday, November 29, to allow the Crown Prosecution Service to review Kelly Rees’s not guilty plea to the weapons charge.