News

Drunk man took to silence when police arrived

Published

10 years ago

December 17, 2014

A HOLIDAY maker who trespassed on a railway line was fined £1690 by Haverfordwest Magistrates on Tuesday. Jonathan Dyment, aged 33, of Cymmer, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to trespassing and using threatening words and behaviour. Dyment was also placed on a community order for 24 months with one requirement of a thinking skills program. Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “The facts of the case are agreed. On September 8, the defendant and his partner were on holiday on Tenby. At 7.15pm the defendant was issued with a notice from the police to leave Tenby because of his drunken behaviour.

At 9pm CCTV located Dyment and his girlfriend awaiting the train. Dyment is captured moving around the platform. At 9.17 he is captured lowering himself off the platform but he was pulled back to the platform after several minutes. He sat on the edge of the platform but the girlfriend again pulled him back. At 9.30 he lowered himself down on to the tracks and he has stood between the two sets of rails. He was there for a minute before he got back on to the platform.

“The train came in five minutes later. They are both seen to board the train and the driver spoke to the train guard about the two of them and told him to keep an eye on them. The guard has gone to speak to the couple and at this point Dyment said to his partner: ‘Give him the f***ing tickets you fat slag’. The guard spoke to Dyment but he then said: ‘f*** off, it’s my missus, I’ll f***ing do you’ but he has then immediately apologised. The guard asked his partner if she wanted to sit with him for safety but Dyment said: ‘Don’t you f***ing dare’.

“The guard has then gone back to the cab to use the phone and he can see Dyment trying to grab at his partner across the table. He has then poured beer on the carriage floor and his partner moved seats away from him but he followed her down. The guard has come back but Dyment shouted at him: ‘I’ve told you, f***ing go now, it’s your last chance’. His partner was upset and asked if there was another train she could catch. “The driver has then moved out and Dyment shouted: ‘I f***ing told you, that’s it. You’re both here, you can both have it’.

His fists were clenched and he was walking up and down the train. He then said: ‘when he comes in here, he’s having it in the f***ing neck’. The guard has again telephoned the police and at this point Dyment has picked up a beer can and ripped it in half. He was flailing his arms around and his partner told him to calm down. He has then started cutting himself with the cans. Police then arrived at the station in Narberth and when he saw them he sat down and went quiet.

He said to them: ‘I haven’t done anything domestic, I’ll admit to public order offences, I was all rawrhh’. The train was delayed for 76 minutes and as a result three further trains were delayed and costs for compensation of £1335 have been made for Arriva Trains Wales.” Defending, Mark Layton said: “I wasn’t aware an application was made for compensation for the delay of the train and I would certainly wish to see it to challenge it.

There are many other reasons why the train could have been delayed, for example signal error or weather. The guards on the train that were subjected to that, I would add, are fully entitled to compensation.” Ellie Morgan told Mr Layton that the compensation claim was worked out using a work related formula but Mr Layton said that this was ‘very speculative and difficult to work out’.

The chairman of the bench said: “Your behaviour on that evening was unacceptable. You caused fear to your partner and the guard and the driver.” Dyment was ordered to pay the full compensation amount of £1335 and also £100 in compensation to the train guard and driver. He was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs, a £10 fine to go with his community order and a £60 victim surcharge.

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

4 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”