News
Pembrokeshire MP urges recognition of Palestinian state
Tufnell calls for UK to act amid growing humanitarian crisis
PEMBROKESHIRE MP Henry Tufnell has called on the UK Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine, citing the “death, horror, and humanitarian catastrophe” unfolding in the region.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Tufnell said: “The people of Pembrokeshire watch in despair at the events unfolding on their TV screens — the death, the horror, the humanitarian catastrophe. I would urge the minister, as I add my voice and those of my constituents: you need two states for a two-state solution.
When will the government recognise the State of Palestine?”
Responding, Hamish Falconer, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, acknowledged the strength of public feeling in Pembrokeshire and elsewhere. He said:
“I thank my honourable friend for the question, and I recognise the strength of feeling in Pembrokeshire and Lincoln and so many other places.”
While declining to provide a specific timeline, Mr Falconer said the Government was in active discussions with international allies ahead of a major conference next week. He also reiterated the manifesto commitment under which both he and Mr Tufnell were elected.
Crime
Pembrokeshire man to stand trial accused of rape in Tenby
Defendant denies allegation as case is sent to Swansea Crown Court
A PEMBROKESHIRE man is due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of raping a woman in Tenby town centre.
Dean Gough, 48, of Orielton, Pembroke, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week charged with rape.
The court heard that Gough is accused of intentionally penetrating the woman’s vagina at a property in Tenby on December 7, 2022, without her consent and without reasonably believing that she was consenting.
During the hearing, Gough factually denied the allegation.
The case has now been sent to Swansea Crown Court, where trial proceedings are due to begin on May 15.
Gough was released on unconditional bail.
Crime
Driver banned after cocaine remained in system following trip from MOT
Milford Haven man told magistrates he did not realise drugs taken days earlier would still be detectable
A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.
Ben Conroy, 22, of Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven, was stopped by police at around 5:00pm on December 12 following a moving traffic offence on Steynton Road.
A roadside drugs wipe tested positive for cocaine. Further blood analysis later showed he had 240 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine and 24 microgrammes of cocaine in his system. The legal limits are 50 and 10 respectively.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Conroy had just collected his Ford Focus following an MOT and was driving to a friend’s house when he was stopped.
After he pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving, his solicitor, Alaw Harries, said the drugs had been taken several days earlier during a friend’s celebration.
“He’d taken the drugs several days previously at a friend’s celebration and didn’t realise they would still be in his system,” she said.
“This has been a genuine learning curve for the defendant and he is determined not to come before the courts again.”
Conroy was disqualified from driving for 17 months.
Magistrates also imposed a 12-month community order, during which he must complete a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Child cruelty offender given community order
Man sentenced after admitting two child cruelty offences in Carmarthen
A 27-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced after admitting two offences of child cruelty involving two young children.
Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that Liam Jacob pleaded guilty to two counts under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
The offences related to allegations that, on Dec 28, 2025, Jacob caused or procured the children to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed in a way likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.
Jacob, of Carmarthen, entered indicated guilty pleas on March 24 and was sentenced on Tuesday (Apr 14).
The court imposed a community order running until April 13, 2027. As part of that sentence, Jacob must complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. The court made a collection order for deductions from benefits, with the financial penalty to be paid within 28 days.
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