Crime

Council prosecutes parents over school truancy across Pembrokeshire

Published

3 months ago

October 19, 2025

SEVEN parents from across Pembrokeshire have appeared before magistrates for failing to ensure their children attended school regularly, as the county council continues its clamp-down on truancy.

The cases, brought by Pembrokeshire County Council’s education welfare service, were heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Friday (Oct 17).
All related to children of compulsory school age who were repeatedly absent without authorisation earlier this year.

The parents – from Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Marloes and Ambleston near Fishguard – were each prosecuted under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996, which makes parents legally responsible for ensuring their children attend school.

Fines ranged from £40 to £220, with additional costs and victim surcharges bringing total penalties to more than £3,000.
Some parents admitted the offences, while others were found guilty in their absence.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Herald: “Our priority is always to support families and help children re-engage with education. Legal action is only taken when all other interventions have failed and attendance remains a serious concern.”

“We know absence can seriously affect a child’s wellbeing, learning and future opportunities. Early help and communication with schools are the best ways to avoid cases reaching court.”

Education welfare officers say attendance problems have increased since the pandemic, with anxiety, illness and family pressures among the main causes of long-term absence.
The council has boosted school-based support officers and data monitoring to identify issues sooner and provide early help.

According to Welsh Government statistics, average school attendance across Wales fell from around 94 per cent before the pandemic to about 90 per cent in 2024-25, with secondary schools seeing the sharpest drop.

The court reminded parents that persistent failure to send a child to school can lead to fines of up to £2,500 or, in the most serious cases, imprisonment.

Crime

Man to stand trial accused of making death threat to Herald editor

Published

2 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant allegedly threatened serious harm in telephone call

A 34-YEAR-OLD Pembroke man is due to stand trial on Monday (Feb 2) accused of sending a message threatening death or serious harm to Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair.

Anthony Jones, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, is listed to appear before magistrates for trial at 12:00pm.

Court records show Jones faces two charges.

The first alleges that on February 24, 2025, in Pembroke, he made a communication that conveyed a threat of death, intending – or being reckless as to whether – the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.

The charge is brought under section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023. The offence carries a maximum penalty of twelve months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The second charge relates to an unrelated incident on April 8, 2025. Jones is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards a police officer, causing harassment, alarm or distress. The offence is alleged to have been racially aggravated under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

That charge carries a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Both matters were previously adjourned from December 10, 2025 for a full trial hearing.

The Herald understands the alleged threat formed part of online communications sent earlier this year and was reported to police.

Jones denies the offences and the case is expected to be contested.

The trial is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Pembroke man accused of child sex offences sent to Swansea Crown Court

Published

3 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant indicates intention to plead guilty as magistrates rule case too serious for local sentencing

A PEMBROKE man has been sent to the Crown Court after indicating he intends to plead guilty to a series of serious child sex offences.

David Lewis, aged 42, of Ashdale Lane, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 30).

Lewis indicated guilty pleas to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. A further charge of attempting to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was also put to him.

The offences relate to online and electronic communication.

Magistrates said the case was too serious to be dealt with at their level and committed Lewis to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was granted conditional bail ahead of his next court appearance.

Crime

Disqualified HGV driver charged after dangerous A40 incident

Published

7 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Lorry seen on wrong side of road before multi-force stop

A DISQUALIFIED driver has been charged after an HGV was reportedly driven erratically along the A40 between Narberth and St Clears in the early hours of Thursday (Jan 29).

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that 22-year-old Tajinder Singh, of Tudor Road, Southall, has been charged with driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, Jan 30).

The incident began when an off-duty police officer reported seeing the heavy goods vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the carriageway on multiple occasions, raising serious concerns for the safety of other road users.

Roads Policing Unit officers carried out immediate checks and traced the vehicle travelling eastbound along the A48 between Carmarthen and Cross Hands.

Specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) tactics were authorised, with support requested from South Wales Police and the National Police Air Service due to the scale of the risk and the vehicle’s route.

The lorry was kept under constant observation as it continued along the A48 and onto the M4 before eventually stopping at an industrial estate in the Fforestfach area of Swansea.

Officers detained the driver at the scene. The vehicle was seized under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said officers will continue to take action against dangerous driving.