News

Sentence reduced for driver who caused baby’s death outside Withybush Hospital

Published

1 year ago

June 17, 2025

A WOMAN who caused the death of an eight-month-old baby outside Withybush Hospital has had her sentence reduced following an appeal.

Bridget Curtis, aged 71, was originally sentenced to four years in prison in January for causing the death of Mabli Cariad Hall by dangerous driving. Curtis was also disqualified from driving for eight years.

***Bridget Curtis leaves court (Pic: BBC)***

The tragic incident took place on June 21, 2023, when Mabli was struck by a white BMW driven by Curtis, who had been at the hospital attending an outpatient appointment with her daughter.

The court heard that Curtis had stopped the vehicle outside the hospital building. While attempting to help her daughter retrieve a handbag from the back of the car, Curtis inadvertently pressed the accelerator while the car was still running and not in park mode, causing the vehicle to accelerate rapidly to a speed of 29mph.

***The car following the accident at Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)***

The car struck Mabli, who was in a pram with her father, Robert Hall, and his brother, Stephen. Mabli was airlifted initially to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before being transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where she died from severe traumatic brain injuries four days later.

During the initial sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, Mabli’s family expressed profound grief, describing life without her as “horrendous.” Her mother, Gwen Hall, poignantly spoke of Mabli as “so bright, so beautiful, so full of love and life.”

Curtis, who had held a clean driving licence for over 50 years and had no previous convictions, appeared via video link from HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire for her appeal. Her barrister, John Dye, argued the incident was the result of a “lapse of concentration,” describing Curtis as “absolutely devastated.”

On Tuesday, three judges at the Court of Appeal ruled Curtis’ original sentence was “manifestly excessive,” reducing it to three years, with a seven-and-a-half-year driving ban.

In response, Mabli’s family expressed disappointment in the sentence reduction but acknowledged the court’s decision to uphold the custodial sentence.

“We still face a life sentence without her,” they said in a statement. “We again thank everyone who has supported us and helped ensure justice for Mabli Cariad.”

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

11 minutes ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

6 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Charity

Sea shanties and street food bring crowds to Cardigan RNLI festival

Published

6 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUNSHINE, sea shanties and street food helped draw hundreds of visitors to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday (Jun 20).

The station’s Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival brought together families, supporters and visitors from across the region for a day of maritime music, food and community spirit.

Traditional sea shanty groups performed throughout the event, with songs echoing around the lifeboat station, while street food vendors served a range of refreshments.

The event also gave visitors the chance to learn more about the lifesaving work carried out by the RNLI and its volunteer crews.

Cardigan RNLI thanked the performers, food vendors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day a success.

Bruce Harris, Launch Authority and event organiser, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the station, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate our maritime heritage.

“The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and contributed to such a memorable event.”

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.

The charity operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,700 lives.