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Crime

Haverfordwest businessman admits fraudulent Covid loan applications

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A PEMBROKESHIRE company director has pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to multiple applications for government-backed business loans during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zahid Afzal, 37, of Albert Street, Haverfordwest, admitted to three counts of fraud by false representation at Swansea Crown Court. The charges relate to claims made under the Bounce Back Loan scheme, a financial support initiative introduced to assist small and medium-sized businesses struggling during the pandemic.

The court heard that Afzal submitted misleading applications to three different banks in 2020, falsely stating financial details and loan eligibility. On May 12, 2020, he applied to Lloyds Bank PLC, claiming that Phone Bits Ltd had not applied for any other Bounce Back Loan. He later made a similar application to Starling Bank Ltd on July 23, 2020, stating that Phones Onn Ltd had an annual turnover of £200,000 and that the funds would be used solely for business purposes. A third application, containing comparable claims, was made to Metro Bank PLC on November 22, 2020.

Companies House records list Afzal as a director of both Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd.

Judge Geraint Walters adjourned sentencing to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Afzal was granted unconditional bail and is scheduled to return to court on April 1 for sentencing.

 

Crime

Engineer spared jail after drugs and weapons haul

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Simon Wayt, 55, admitted possessing cocaine, ketamine, crystal meth and LSD, along with 35 knives, three axes and a shotgun cartridge

A 55-YEAR-OLD electrical engineer has admitted possessing a cocktail of illegal drugs, including cocaine, ketamine, crystal meth and LSD, along with 35 knives and three axes.

A search of Simon Wayt’s property, carried out after he told police officers he was a drug user, uncovered 2.326 grams of cocaine, 2.83 grams of crystal meth, an unspecified quantity of MDMA, 22 doses of LSD, five 2CB tablets, 21.9 grams of amphetamine, 8.32 grams of ketamine, 14.42 grams of cannabis resin, an undisclosed quantity of THC edibles, and five tablets of the psychedelic drug methallyscaline.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Wayt was stopped by officers in Green Park, Pentlepoir, because of the manner of his driving.

A search of his vehicle uncovered nine throwing knives, 26 further knives and three axes. A further search of his home also revealed a shotgun cartridge, despite Wayt not holding a firearms certificate. The drugs were also found at the property.

Wayt, of Wentworth Crescent, Mayals, Swansea, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing an offensive weapon, one charge of possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, and ten charges of possessing a controlled drug.

He was represented by solicitor Lucas Edwards, who said the drugs were for the defendant’s “recreational use”.

“He’s disappointed and ashamed to find himself before the courts, and these offences are definitely something which he will not repeat,” he said. “The drugs were for his own personal recreational use, but he’s not addicted to drugs in any way.”

Mr Edwards went on to describe Wayt as “an avid collector of bladed articles”.

“He’s been collecting them for 35 years, and normally keeps them in his office,” he said. “But he’d been working in Pembroke Dock for a period of time and brought the knives with him to sharpen and for camping purposes. But he shouldn’t have had them on his person or inside his vehicle.”

Mr Edwards said the shotgun cartridge was a memento dating back to the 1990s, when his father kept a small number of cartridges following a firearms amnesty.

The solicitor added that Wayt, a qualified mechanical and electrical engineer, is currently unemployed as a result of the offences.

After considering the facts, magistrates sentenced Wayt to four months in custody, suspended for 11 months. He was also ordered to complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days to address his drug use.

A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the bladed articles and the drugs. Wayt was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge.

 

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Crime

Romino’s licence revoked after illegal workers found and fire risks exposed

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Takeaway in Cardigan ordered to shut by 11:00pm after council hearing backed by immigration officials, police and fire service

A TAKEAWAY in Cardigan has lost its premises licence after repeated enforcement visits uncovered illegal working and serious fire safety failings.

Ceredigion County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee decided to revoke the premises licence for Romino’s Pizza and Kebab following a hearing held on Monday, April 7.

The review was brought by Home Office Immigration Enforcement and supported by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police.

During four separate visits to the business, officers found a total of eight people said to be working illegally at the premises.

Fire safety inspectors also identified a number of serious breaches, leading to prohibition notices being issued because of the risks posed to staff, customers and the wider public.

The committee concluded that revoking the licence was proportionate and necessary in order to uphold the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of public safety.

As a result of the decision, the business will now be required to close at 11:00pm unless an appeal is lodged.

A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “We welcome the Licensing Sub Committee’s decision to revoke the Premises Licence for Romino’s in Cardigan. This reflects the seriousness of the issues identified and the clear risks posed.”

The action follows earlier enforcement steps taken in March.

On March 5, immigration officers visited the premises and found two Turkish men allegedly working there illegally. A closure notice was issued at once, preventing access to the site and stopping any work from taking place.

The Home Office said that on three previous visits, a further six people had been found working illegally at the same business. Those responsible were handed fines totalling £135,000.

An illegal working compliance order was later granted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 6. Such orders place strict conditions on a business, including requirements to carry out right-to-work checks and permit ongoing inspections.

Although the takeaway later reopened, the Home Office pressed ahead with its application for a licence review on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder.

A spokesperson said illegal working harms lawful businesses, drives down wages and can be linked to organised immigration crime.

 

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British Transport Police widens Tenby stabbing inquiry as five arrested

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Extra patrols in town as police continue hunt for answers after shocking railway station violence

BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE say their investigation into the violent disorder at Tenby railway station is moving forward quickly, with five people now arrested in connection with the incident.

Four teenagers, aged between 13 and 17, were injured when violence broke out at the station late on Tuesday, April 7. All were taken to hospital, but police said their injuries were not life-threatening.

The incident, which sent shockwaves through the town, happened at around 9.50pm and involved a number of youths. The injured teenagers are understood to be from the Pembroke area.

Two people — a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man — were first arrested following the disorder. Officers have since confirmed that both were released on bail while enquiries continue.

A further three teenagers were later detained on Thursday, April 9 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. They too have been bailed pending further investigation.

Police have stressed that the case remains active and that officers are continuing to gather evidence.

British Transport Police Superintendent Jonathon Cooze said officers were aware of the alarm caused by the violence and said more patrols would be seen in the area.

He said: “We know this incident has caused significant concern in Tenby and further afield, and I want to reassure the public that detectives are working hard to establish exactly what happened.

“We have now made five arrests in total, and enquiries are continuing at pace.

“We would still like to hear from anyone who saw the incident, or who may have information about the events leading up to it.”

Anyone with information is being asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 916 of April 7.

Officers are continuing to work alongside Dyfed-Powys Police, Transport for Wales and other agencies as part of the response.

The incident has renewed concern about knife violence involving young people in Pembrokeshire.

 

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