News

Youth went psycho on synthetic cocaine

Published

9 years ago

January 5, 2015

Ethylphenidate: Now a class B drug.

A DANGEROUS legal high changed the behaviour of a youth in a Jekyll and Hyde case, which has highlighted the risks of using test chemicals to get high. On Tuesday (Dec 16), a Haverfordwest youth was sent to prison for twelve months after he pleaded guilty to a series of offences whilst ‘off his head’. The youth, who cannot be named because he is not yet eighteen, had, according to his solicitor, developed an addiction to a class B drug which had caused him to behave ‘in an appalling manner’. The drug in question, Ethylphenidate, is the same chemical which was being sold from Pembs PC in Haverfordwest by the now ex-boss Al Firth, and his partner in crime, Daniel Cobbinah. They will be sentenced on January 16.

Prosecuting this case, Ellie Morgan said: “This boy went to Wilkinson’s store and stole a bottle of aftershave. “Later, in the early hours of the next morning, he entered a woman’s property and stole various items of food from a freezer.” The prosecutor explained how in the early hours of October 18, the defendant was in his partner’s flat high on drugs, paranoid and hallucinating. Ms Morgan added: “The couple had an argument and she said she was going to throw the drugs away. She then went to bed, but at 12:45am he woke her and started shouting in a paranoid way. She came to the decision that she wanted to leave to go stay with a friend.

She picked up her stuff but he has said to her ‘you’re not taking it’.” The court heard how he then grabbed her bag and ripped it from her. The boy went crazy and hit her three times with the bag to her head. Ms Morgan then explained to the bench how the defendant “then went psycho at her and smacked her flat out to the left side of her face.” She added: “The victim looked at him and could see that his eyes were massive, red and looked evil. She ran out of the property and knocked on a neighbour’s door. The police were called. As a result of the attack she had bruising to her arms and face.”

But this was not the end of the matter. Later on, the youth entered the property through a small window, where he slashed clothes and damaged a washing machine and hoover. He also stole items. The overall cost of all the damaged and missing items, according to the CPS was around £1500.

The court heard the reason given for the behaviour by seventeen-yearold was “because you p****d me off, I was off my f*****g head on drugs.” The youth was arrested after a further incident at an address in Merlin’s Bridge. The court heard he tried to run away, and police used a Taser to apprehend him. After being stunned, he had a ‘seizure’ and was taken to Withybush Hospital – but he managed to escape from custody not once, but twice.

The CPS explained: “He was eventually caught and arrested for these matters on Wednesday, November 12”. Defending, James Subbiani said: “Unfortunately, in the last few months he has developed an addiction to this drug and it has caused him to behave in an appalling manner. This is not indicative of the person I have known for some time. The high, known as Ethylphenidate, is behind all of these offences. He has been stealing items to sell to fund his addiction.”

Mr Subbiani tried in vain to persuade the Magistrates against sending him to prison and instead give him a high level youth rehabilitation order. However, the bench did not agree and he was sentenced to four months for the assault, another four months for the burglary and a final four months for escaping custody. The chairman of the bench said: “Prison is the only option.”

Education

Excellent progress on construction of new Welsh medium primary school

Published

33 mins ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A CELEBRATION event was held on the site of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro in Pembroke on Tuesday 14th November to mark the reaching of the highest point of the building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony.

The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and attended by pupils and staff from Ysgol Gelli Aur, the Executive Headteacher of the new school, governors of the Temporary Governing Body of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Cabinet members, senior Council officers, and a members of the project team.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased with progress at the site.
“Whilst I was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony, my Cabinet colleagues have shared with me their experience, and the excellent progress being made on the new school.
“I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro will be in a position to admit pupils in September 2024.”
Members of the school’s Temporary Governing Body expressed their delight with the building.

The Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Mr Dafydd Hughes, confirmed that pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the event and that everyone connected with the school is excited at the prospect of moving to the new school next year.

“The fact that a new Welsh medium primary school is being built in Pembroke is an important and exciting development on so many levels.

“As Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro I am committed to ensure that when the school opens its doors in September 2024 every pupil will be given opportunities to flourish and thrive in a welcoming Welsh medium setting. I am also focused on ensuring that the whole Pembroke community takes great pride in the school.”

Pupils were very excited to see the new school. Among the comments received were: “We loved signing the steels, it will help us to remember when we came here when our school was being built and we will always be a part of our new school”

“I can see that everyone is working really hard to build us our school. The school is so much bigger than we expected and can’t wait to start learning in our new classes”.

The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, and will provide a significant contribution to the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.

News

County mourns loss of revered priest and community pillar, Father McGreal

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

THE CATHOLIC community in Pembrokeshire is in mourning this week after the passing of one of its most well-known priests, Father Owen McGreal, aged 88, former parish priest of St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby and former governor of Mary Immaculate RC School in Haverfordwest.

It is understood that Father Owen passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning (Nov 28).

Although he had retired from his role as parish priest in 2014, he remained active in the community, serving as a cover priest. He attended a Paul Sartori event in Haverfordwest just a few weeks ago.

In 2009, family, friends, civic guests, clergy, religious, and parishioners gathered together at St. Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby, to attend a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Father Owen’s ordination to the priesthood.

His brothers, Lt. Col. Patrick McGreal and Mrs. McGreal, Fr. Michael McGreal (who passed away last year, aged 92), and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces came from Ireland to celebrate this great event. Among the guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns SM, then the recently appointed Bishop of Menevia; Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Daniel Mullins, former Bishop of Menevia; and fellow clergy.

In 2014, on his retirement, there was a concert at St Teilo’s bidding farewell to Father Owen after a total of almost 25 years of dedicated service.

Father Owen had dedicated a large part of his life in the church to the service of young people, so it seemed fitting, many said, that the concert included young talented musicians from not only Tenby but also from as far away as Norway and the USA.

On the news of Father McGreal’s passing yesterday, Leanne Prevel, Acting Headteacher of Mary Immaculate RC School, said in a letter to parents and guardians: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the death of Father McGreal, former parish priest, school governor, and long-term supporter and champion of Mary Immaculate School.

‘We understand that this news will have come as a shock to members of our school community.

‘Should you or your family need any support at this time, please do not hesitate to contact the school, or the Parish…’

‘Our Mass planned for December 8 will now be for the repose of the soul of Father McGreal. We also intend to hold a gathering at the school to remember and celebrate his life in the next couple of weeks. Further details will be shared with our school community in the coming days.

‘We remember in our prayers, Father Owen McGreal, and those impacted by his death.'”

News

Update on search for Angharad, reported missing in Carmarthenshire

Published

3 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have today confirmed that the search for Angharad, who was reported missing from her home in the Nantgaredig area, is continuing today.

Angharad is described as a white female, about 5ft 1inches tall, of medium build with brown hair. She is believed to be wearing blue jeans, a blue jumper and pink wellingtons.

Her family and police are extremely concerned for her whereabouts and she is being treated as a high risk missing person.

Superintendent Ross Evans told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “A search in and along the rivers in the Nantgaredig, Pontargothi and Llanfynydd areas is continuing today.

“I am extremely grateful for the support the local community has offered and provided to the family and the police.

“Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in the local area today and will also be in the vestry of the chapel on Nantgaredig Square to provide reassurance to the community and speak to anyone who wishes to share information.

“We are also supporting Angharad’s family with specially trained officers during this very difficult time.”