News

Yacht runs aground at New Quay prompting early-hours rescue

Published

1 year ago

May 30, 2025

Lifeboat and coastguard teams respond after distress call from lone sailor

A YACHT ran aground in the early hours of Wednesday (May 28) at Traethgwyn beach, New Quay, prompting a rescue operation involving lifeboat and coastguard volunteers.

The distress call was received by Milford Haven Maritime Co-ordination Centre at around 1:40am. The yacht, which had a single occupant on board, was stranded in low water and breaking surf.

New Quay RNLI lifeboats and the local Coastguard Rescue Team were immediately tasked to the scene. The inshore lifeboat attempted to approach the vessel but was prevented by rough conditions.

A member of the coastguard team carried out a tethered wade to reach the yacht, enabling the crew member to be safely brought ashore. The same team member later returned to set the yacht’s anchor.

Throughout the operation, RNLI lifeboats provided light and safety cover.

In a statement, New Quay Lifeboat Station said: “With all persons confirmed safe and well ashore, and the yacht firmly aground due to the ebbing tide, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station at 3:40am. After recovery and wash-down, our crew returned home at 5:00am.

“It’s been a busy week – this was our fourth incident, with six lifeboat launches in total.”

New Quay Coastguard Rescue Team added: “The team stood down at 5:24am and returned to station. A good example of multiple emergency services working together during coastal incidents.

“If you see someone in difficulty at sea or along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Pictured above:

The yacht was stranded in low water and breaking surf. (Pic: HM Coastguard New Quay)

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

9 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.