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Crime

Pembrokeshire anti-racism petition to be heard by committee

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A PETITION calling on Pembrokeshire County Council to reaffirm its commitment “to fostering an inclusive and anti-racist Wales” after a Reform member was co-opted on to a local town council is to be heard later this week.

An e-petition, on the council’s own website, by Marjorie Hawkins of Campaign group West Wales Stand Up to Racism, said: “We, the undersigned, believe that our local councils must uphold the highest standards of ethical governance, transparency, and commitment to inclusivity. Decisions made at the council level should reflect the values of fairness, equality, and a dedication to anti-racism.

“Given the recent co-option of a member of Reform UK to Haverfordwest Town Council—a party openly opposed to the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan (AWAP)—we call upon our county council to reaffirm its commitment to fostering an inclusive and anti-racist Wales by 2030. A clear public statement from our county council would help reassure communities that representation in local government aligns with Wales’ national commitment to equality.

“West Wales Stand Up to Racism feels very strongly that our county council needs to reaffirm its commitment to anti-racism, given that a member of Reform UK has been co-opted to a local council within the county.
“Reform UK is openly opposed to the AWAP and we want to see all representatives on Pembrokeshire County Council showing commitment to the AWAP. We think it is necessary that Pembrokeshire County Council reaffirms this commitment publicly.”

The petition, which ran from June 27 to August 26, attracted 300 signatures.

Anyone who lives, works or studies within the Pembrokeshire County Council area may sign or organise a council e-petition. This includes anyone under the age of 18.

If the petition gets 500 signatures, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a future full council meeting.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The petition followed the recent co-opting of Reform UK’s Scott Thorley on to Haverfordwest Town Council.

Cllr Thorley had previously stood as a Reform candidate in a local county council election for a seat vacant after the resignation of Cllr Andrew Edwards, but was unsuccessful in that attempt, being co-opted later.

Cllr Thorley has previously said he welcomes the opportunity to contribute to anti-racist efforts but criticised the group’s approach.

He said: “As I have been invited to help on the anti-racist action plan by Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, I’m really confused by their comments.

“I’m very much looking forward to helping integrate communities together in Haverfordwest using food, drink, culture, music and talking.

“In my experience from dealing with them they are far from fighting racism, just because they say they’re anti-racist doesn’t mean they are, just as much as Jim Jones said he was the messiah.”

Haverfordwest Town Council has also responded to the petition, saying it is committed to equality and transparency.

The petition will be considered at the September 18 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Crime

Two arrested after high-value shoplifting incident in Kilgetty

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TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a rapid police response to a reported high-value theft at a supermarket in Kilgetty.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Co-op store at around 3.35pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), after a report that a large quantity of alcohol and other items had been stolen.

Using information provided by the caller, Roads Policing Unit officers worked closely with control room staff to identify a vehicle believed to be involved. Several patrol cars were deployed, and the vehicle was located a short time later travelling east.

Police said the safety of all those involved was treated as a priority, with specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice obtained while officers maintained constant observation of the vehicle.

The car was brought to a safe stop on a back road approaching Hendy, involving three Roads Policing Unit vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported.

Following roadside checks, two men — aged 67 and 46 — were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop.

Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police said the swift response helped prevent further offending and demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist roads policing officers acting on real-time intelligence.

 

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Business

Eight-year prison sentence after vehicle stop uncovers drugs worth over £150,000

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A ROUTINE vehicle stop by roads policing officers has led to an eight-year prison sentence after more than £150,000 worth of illegal drugs were discovered in a car in Pembrokeshire.

On Friday, January 2, officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Hoyland Road, Pembroke. The vehicle was being driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.

During the stop, Evans told officers they would find “stuff” in the car. He and the vehicle were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A search of the boot uncovered a cardboard box containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine and ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be well in excess of £150,000.

Evans was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 3.

On Thursday, January 28, Evans was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

DC Jones, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Tackling the supply of illegal drugs is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the misery that illegal drugs bring to local communities will not be tolerated.

“We welcome the sentence passed to Dean Evans, given the large quantity of harmful drugs he was caught trafficking into Pembrokeshire.

“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal drugs trade in Dyfed and Powys.”

 

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Crime

Former soldier jailed for stalking police officer over past arrest

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Defendant tracked down officer’s home address and sent threatening messages

A FORMER serviceman has been sent to prison after tracking down and harassing a police officer who had arrested him two years earlier.

Gareth Nicholas, aged 41, from Waunarlwydd in Swansea, targeted the officer by discovering his home address and sending a threatening message via Facebook, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The officer had been part of a police team that executed a Scottish arrest warrant at Nicholas’s home in May 2023. Two years later, in August 2025, the officer received an unexpected friend request on social media, followed shortly afterwards by a message that immediately caused concern.

The message began with the words “I found you” and accused the officer of unlawfully entering Nicholas’s property, assaulting him while he was in his underwear, and “abducting” him. Nicholas also claimed he had identified a pattern of corrupt behaviour within the police and issued a veiled threat, stating: “I will catch you down the Liberty son. Look forward to it,” a reference to Swansea City’s former stadium.

The situation escalated further days later when a handwritten letter was delivered to the officer’s former address. The new occupant contacted the officer to alert him to the letter, which repeated allegations of corruption and suggested the matter could be dropped if the officer assisted in exposing alleged police misconduct.

Nicholas was arrested on September 3 and admitted sending the communications, but denied at the time that his actions amounted to stalking.

In evidence, the officer told the court that while he had faced verbal abuse during his policing career, this incident felt different and deeply personal. He said his family installed CCTV cameras, security lighting and fencing, and put safety plans in place for their children. He added that he feared Nicholas had not let go of his perceived injustice and remained concerned the behaviour could continue.

The court heard Nicholas has a substantial criminal record in Scotland between 2019 and 2024, including convictions for stalking, malicious communications, threatening behaviour, domestic abuse offences and possession of ammunition without a licence.

Sentencing Nicholas, Judge Huw Rees acknowledged the trauma the defendant had experienced during military service, but warned him not to repeat the behaviour.

Nicholas, who appeared unrepresented, pleaded guilty to stalking and was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, reduced by 20 per cent for his early guilty plea. Having already served time on remand, his release is expected shortly. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order banning any contact with the officer.

 

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