News

Paddleboarders rescued off Pembrokeshire coast after being blown out to sea

Published

7 months ago

May 15, 2025

Little and Broad Haven lifeboat crew locate duo near Druidston after emergency 999 call

TWO young paddleboarders were rescued off the Pembrokeshire coast on Saturday (May 3) after being blown out to sea in strong winds.

Volunteer RNLI crew from Little and Broad Haven launched at 5:50pm following a distress call made from a mobile phone by the casualties, who had set off from Newgale. Initial reports placed them near Nolton Haven, but further updates from Milford Haven Coastguard – tracking the phone signal – confirmed they had drifted further south towards Druidston.

***The paddleboard is recovered and deflated to be returned to shore (Image: Denys Bassett-Jones/RNLI)***

The RNLI lifeboat quickly located the pair, who were sharing a single paddleboard, wearing black clothing and no flotation devices. They were brought aboard, issued with lifejackets and a survival blanket, and the deflated board was recovered before all were returned safely to Newgale, where they were met by the Coastguard team from Broad Haven.

Lifeboat Helm Ben Rudder said: “We headed to Newgale first, but couldn’t locate them. The Coastguard updated their position, and even with the coordinates, it was hard to spot them due to their dark clothing and the fact they couldn’t stand up on the board. We were surprised how far out to sea they had drifted, and it was clear they were unprepared. I have no doubt the mobile phone saved their lives.”

***Broad Haven Coastguard team were on hand to assist with recovering the casualties and paddleboard (Image: Denys Bassett-Jones/RNLI)***

Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian Thomas added: “They were very lucky. Their clothing gave little protection, and they had no flotation gear. The 999 call was vital – without it, the search would have taken far longer and they could easily have ended up in the water and separated in worsening conditions.”

The rescue was supported by the Coastguard team from Broad Haven, who provided crucial communications assistance on a busy bank holiday weekend.

The lifeboat returned to station at 7:33pm, where it was refuelled and made ready for service with help from the shore crew.

The RNLI continues to urge those heading to sea to wear appropriate gear, always carry a means of communication, and check weather conditions before setting off.

Top picture:

Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Crew locate paddleboarders in difficulty near Newgale (Image: Denys Bassett-Jones/RNLI)

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.