Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Crime

Hakin woman prevented from seeing her mother after assault

Published

on

A HAKIN woman has been banned from contacting her mother after admitting to assaulting her in front of young children.

Rhian Gillard, 32, arrived at her mother’s home just before 9.30 am on June 25, with her mother, Peggy Sandy, previously agreeing to look after Gillard’s young children. The situation escalated when an argument broke out between the two women.

“They both had a challenging relationship,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“An argument broke out, and Rhian Gillard ripped the glasses off Peggy Sandy’s face, grabbed her, put both hands around her throat and held it for a few seconds. The victim felt pain to the right side of her head.”

As Peggy Sandy sat on the settee, she used her feet to push against Gillard’s stomach to prevent her from approaching her again.

“I told her not to do this, particularly in front of the children, but she said I’d have to force her out,” Peggy Sandy said in her victim impact statement.

“I was shocked at her behaviour and very disappointed. Her temper is terrible, but I needed to put the children first.”

Gillard, of Waterloo Square, Hakin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Peggy Sandy by beating. She was represented in court by solicitor Fenn Richards.

“My client was instantly remorseful for her actions and handed herself in to the police station that same day,” Richards said. “Clearly, people don’t go out of their way to assault family members, but there had been ongoing issues between them. However, she acknowledges that what she did was wrong.”

After reviewing a pre-sentence report from the probation service, Magistrates sentenced Gillard, who has no previous convictions, to a 12-month Community Order. As part of the order, she must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Gillard was also fined £40 and ordered to pay £75 in court costs and a £114 surcharge.

A restraining order was imposed, prohibiting Gillard from having any contact with her mother for the next 12 months.

Crime

Shoplifting concerns spread to Narberth as High Street pharmacy issues warning

Published

on

BUSINESSES in Narberth are facing mounting challenges as concerns over shoplifting spread beyond Tenby. Narberth High Street Pharmacy has issued a stark warning to local traders after a suspected theft incident, urging vigilance among businesses and the public.

In a statement posted online, the pharmacy said: “Warning to Narberth High Street. Another case of suspected theft. Please watch the video carefully. Items were not left behind after inspecting the shelves. It is extremely difficult for businesses to remain viable when this sort of thing happens.”

The pharmacy, which remains open seven days a week, highlighted the growing difficulties in maintaining a presence in the town due to ongoing retail crime.

Rising shoplifting across Pembrokeshire

The incident in Narberth follows widespread national coverage of shoplifting issues in Tenby, where local businesses have reported thousands of pounds in losses due to theft. The situation has drawn attention to a concerning trend across Pembrokeshire, where independent shops and pharmacies—already struggling with rising costs—are finding it increasingly difficult to operate.

According to the latest crime data, shoplifting offences have been rising in Wales, mirroring a nationwide trend. The Office for National Statistics reported a 23% increase in retail thefts across England and Wales in the past year. In Dyfed-Powys, shoplifting cases have surged by 12%, with many small businesses feeling the pressure.

Call for action

Narberth traders are now calling for more proactive policing and stronger deterrents to tackle the issue. While CCTV and security measures have been introduced by some businesses, many feel they are left to handle the problem themselves, with limited police resources available.

The pharmacy urged the community to assist in identifying the individual involved in the latest suspected theft, stating:

“If anyone has any info on this individual, please share so we can follow up with the police.”

With the problem now affecting multiple towns in Pembrokeshire, there is growing pressure for authorities to implement stronger measures to support businesses and protect livelihoods.

Continue Reading

Crime

Pembroke Dock Police warn of penalties for illegal e-scooter use

Published

on

PEMBROKE DOCK police have issued a warning about the legal status of e-scooters, reminding residents that they are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. This means they are subject to the same requirements as cars and motorcycles, including the need for a licence, insurance, and tax.

Currently, it is not possible to obtain insurance for privately owned e-scooters, making their use on roads or in public spaces illegal. Those caught riding an e-scooter without a valid licence or insurance could face penalties, including:

⚠️ A £300 fine and six penalty points for riding without insurance.
⚠️ A fine of up to £100 and three to six penalty points for not having the correct licence.

Offenders may also be penalised for:

❌ Riding on pavements.
❌ Using a mobile phone or handheld device while riding.
❌ Ignoring red lights.
❌ Riding under the influence of alcohol, which carries the same penalties as drink-driving a car, including court-imposed fines, a driving ban, or even imprisonment.

Police are urging residents to be aware of the rules and avoid using e-scooters illegally to prevent fines and legal action.

Continue Reading

Crime

Pembrokeshire linked to major UK drug ring as fugitive jailed for 12 years

Published

on

A MAN who was one of the UK’s most wanted criminals has been sentenced to 12 years in prison at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (Feb 14), with links to drug supply chains reaching Pembrokeshire.

Calvin Parris, 34, from Cardiff, was the final member of an organised crime group (OCG) supplying drugs across Wales to be brought to justice after spending four years on the run.

It is believed that the group’s drugs made their way to smaller dealers and users across South and West Wales.

Parris was finally detained by Portuguese Judicial Police officers in the Algarve, Portugal, on October 3. Specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) escorted him back to the UK on October 15, 2024, where he was taken into custody by South Wales Police.

Duncan Burrage, NCA International Regional Manager, said: “After naming Calvin Parris as one of our most wanted fugitives, we were relentless in our efforts to track him down and return him to Wales to face justice.

“The jail term served to Parris today wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our Portuguese Judicial Police partners who located and arrested him in the Algarve last year.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to work closely with domestic and international law enforcement to ensure there is nowhere for UK fugitives to run and hide from justice.”

Detective Sergeant Ceri Young of South Wales Police added: “Parris was a member of an organised crime group involved in a complex conspiracy to traffic class A drugs into South Wales using encrypted communications devices on the ‘Encro Chat’ platform.

“Organised crime and drug trafficking have a significant detrimental impact on communities, and bringing offenders involved in this level of criminality to justice is a priority for South Wales Police.”

Drug trafficking network uncovered

The scale of the operation was exposed when Albanian national Lenci Gashi was stopped on May 27, 2020, while driving a Citroen Berlingo on the M4 towards South Wales. His van was found to contain 15kg of pressed cocaine, destined for members of the OCG.

On June 16, 2020, Michael Laverick, identified as the head of the South Wales-based OCG, was arrested. Investigations revealed that between March 31 and May 27, 2020, the group took possession of 35kg of cocaine and paid £696,000 to upstream suppliers through a complex network of trusted criminal associates, safe locations, and couriers.

Laverick was supported by his second-in-command, Asim Naveed, who was responsible for the onward distribution of cocaine. Danny Attard played a key role in storing drug consignments at safe locations in Cardiff before their distribution.

Parris and Damian Farrugia, both of Cardiff, were identified as regular customers purchasing wholesale amounts of cocaine. Parris and Farrugia each received 7kg of cocaine, while Amir Khan was found to have received 6.5kg.

South Wales Police executed multiple search warrants across the region, leading to arrests and the recovery of cash, communication devices, and high-value goods, demonstrating the financial gains of the OCG.

Parris and Naveed fled the UK but were eventually tracked down in Portugal with the help of the National Crime Agency.

Sentences handed down to members of the OCG

  • Amir Khan – 20 years 7 months
  • Michael Laverick – 18 years
  • Danny Attard – 14 years
  • Damian Farrugia – 13 years
  • Lenci Gashi – 11 years 4 months
  • Asim Naveed – 10 years 8 months

Authorities believe their drug operation reached deep into communities across South and West Wales, including Pembrokeshire, further highlighting the devastating impact of organised crime on local areas.

Continue Reading

Business5 hours ago

Council take legal action against 686 Pembrokeshire-based businesses

Scores of firms listed in court for non-payment of business rates HUNDREDS of businesses across Pembrokeshire are facing court action...

Crime1 day ago

Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn launches ambitious four-year policing plan

Public trust at the heart of new strategy DYFED-POWYS Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has unveiled his four-year Police...

Community1 day ago

Port’s support for library already ‘many hundreds of thousands of pounds’

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has confirmed that it is providing “significant financial support” to Milford Haven Library, with its...

Education2 days ago

Alarming new Estyn report reveals Welsh education in crisis

WALES’ education system is in turmoil, with an alarming new report from Estyn exposing deep-rooted issues plaguing schools across the...

News3 days ago

Concerns mount over rising violence in Welsh schools

VIOLENCE in Welsh schools has reached a deeply disturbing level, according to Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives,...

News3 days ago

Six-way battle for Haverfordwest’s Prendergast Ward council seat

A SIX-WAY battle to contest a Pembrokeshire seat made vacant following the resignation of local county councillor Andrew Edwards during...

News4 days ago

Broke local authority drops legal action against Withyhedge Landfill

Decision made due to financial constraints CASH-STRAPPED Pembrokeshire County Council has announced it will not proceed with legal action against...

News4 days ago

Secrecy over Milford Haven Library rent as council faces funding ultimatum

MILFORD HAVEN’S library remains under threat as Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) refuses to disclose the rent it pays to the...

News4 days ago

Person rescued as fire guts Clunderwen home

A PERSON was pulled from a burning house in Clunderwen on Friday (Feb 7) as a fierce fire ripped through...

Community4 days ago

Work continues on 20mph speed limit review as figures show fall in casualties

WORK is continuing on a review of the 20mph speed limit in some areas of Pembrokeshire where public feedback has...

Popular This Week