News
Search warrants executed in ‘grants fraud’ probe
Properties raided: Police are investigation alleged grants fraud
DYFED-POWYS POLICE has raided premises belonging to parties involved in applications for funding from the Commercial Property Grant Scheme in Pembroke Dock.
Before Christmas, The Herald received information that police activity had taken place from sources close to the investigation.
At the time, the police had confirmed that no arrests had yet taken place.
The Herald can now confirm that search warrants were executed at properties associated with Kinver Kreations Ltd, and G&G Builders Ltd.
Both those companies are linked with controversial ‘baron of the bedsits’ Cathal McCosker, who was behind the majority of applications to the scheme.
The Herald cannot confirm at the present time whether any other properties have been searched.
A Council Audit Committee investigation raised grave concerns about the operation of the Commercial Property Grant Scheme. The police became involved after Cllrs Mike Stoddart and Jacob Williams presented potentially incriminating evidence to the then Finance Chief Mark Lewis.
As the police investigation continued the Council’s cabinet met today in secret (Jan 5) to discuss an grants application under the scheme, but not to receive updates on the ongoing investigation, as previously incorrectly reported.
A council spokesman said: “The Council is contractually obliged to hold such discussions in private because of sensitive, financial information relating to the applicant. Once the grant is offered and accepted, we can then release the information relating to the application.”
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.
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.
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.
Three inmates deny murder of Lola James killer at Wakefield prison
THREE prisoners have denied murdering child killer Kyle Bevan, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Wakefield. Bevan,...
Dyfed-Powys Police reassure communities after Bondi Beach mass shooting
Officers monitor local tensions following terror attack on Jewish event in Sydney DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued reassurances to communities across...
Search under way in Pembroke Dock for missing man Lee
Coastguard, RNLI and rescue helicopter launched as fears grow he entered the water A MAJOR search and rescue operation is...
Search under way in Pembroke as man reported missing
Rescue teams battle worsening weather ahead of amber rain warning A MULTI-AGENCY search and rescue operation is under way in...
Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire
Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe...
Former Army Cadet leader sentenced for child abuse image offences
Judge condemns “horribly abused” victims as Carmarthen man admits offences A FORMER Army Cadet instructor from Carmarthen has been sentenced...
Trefin dog case ends in forfeiture order after protection notice breach
Village protest followed months of complaints about barking A WOMAN from north Pembrokeshire has been fined £1,000 and ordered to...
Man spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven
Judge says offence was so serious only a prison sentence was justified A 44-YEAR-OLD has been given a suspended prison sentence after...
Rural cannabis factory exposed after five-year operation in Carmarthenshire
Family-run drugs enterprise brought in millions before police raid during lockdown A FAMILY who relocated from England to a remote...
Senedd rejects calls to ‘eliminate’ rates for small businesses
A CONSERVATIVE call to abolish rates for all small businesses in Wales has been voted down by the Senedd amid...
-
Crime6 days agoPhillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with
-
Crime5 days agoKilgetty scaffolder sentenced after driving with cocaine and in system
-
Crime5 days agoHousing site director sentenced after failing to provide breath sample following crash
-
News1 day agoDyfed-Powys Police launch major investigation after triple fatal crash
-
Crime5 days agoMotorist banned for three years after driving with cannabis in system
-
Crime2 days ago
Man spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven
-
Education4 days agoTeaching assistant struck off after asking pupil for photos of her body
-
Crime6 days agoMilford Haven pensioner denies exposure charges
Graham Thomas
January 6, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Hope it\\\’s not too muchg too late….
Graham Thomas
January 6, 2015 at 1:16 pm
As time has gone by will there now be any incriminating evidence left to find…..
Roy Mcgurn
January 6, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Wrong place! Have they tried raiding County Hall?
tomos
January 9, 2015 at 9:24 am
hope not too much shredding’s been done in county hall 😉
ieuan
January 9, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Shredding probably done already, after all any IPPG councilor will never admit they are wrong and try to muddy anyone after the truth!
Any dirty dealing must remain hidden!!
TOMOS
January 11, 2015 at 5:49 pm
seriously, have the Police considered going for a Conspiracy charge? easier to prove and longer jail terms
Flashbang
January 13, 2015 at 7:39 am
The headline looks good but we know there will be no prosecutions and maybe one sacrificial minor employee will be sacked.