News

Resident disarmed knife-threat attacker

Published

10 years ago

January 13, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Jailed: Shaun Lee Roberts
threatened to slit his girlfriend’s throat

A BRAVE Milford Haven man who disarmed a knife wielding neighbour was praised by a judge on Tuesday (Dec 23). Shaun Lee Roberts, aged 37, had attacked his girlfriend and was threatening to slit her throat when neighbour Mark Harris went to her aid. He grabbed Roberts’ arm, rolled his body into him and elbowed him in the face until he dropped the large kitchen knife.

Mr Harris, and fellow neighbour Rachel Crane who also went to help after hearing screams, were praised for their bravery by Judge Paul Thomas at Swansea crown court, when Roberts was sentenced. Roberts, of Telegraph Cottage, Gorsewood Drive, admitted assaulting Katy Walker, threatening to kill her and wounding Mr Harris, who suffered a cut to his hand while disarming him.

He was jailed for two years. Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said Roberts had been in a four year relationship with Miss Walker and they had a daughter together. But he was possessive and jealous and she had to regularly send him text messages whenever she was out of the house. On August 22 this year they went to a pub in Milford Haven and Miss Walker spoke to a man. Roberts discovered she had also talked to him at a gym and his mood changed.

On the way home he walked in the road, pushed her and called her names. At home he became more aggressive and repeatedly threatened to kill her. At one stage Miss Walker picked up a kitchen knife to protect herself, but put it down when he appeared to become calmer. But Roberts threw her to the floor and, while wearing boots, kicked her in the face several times. He then picked up the knife, put the blade to her face and said he was about to slit her throat.

The attack was interrupted by loud bangs on the front door as Mr Harris and Miss Crane arrived. After his arrest, Roberts told police he had little recollection of what had happened. During an interview he accepted he could be jealous and insecure about his relationship with Miss Walker, which was now “completely at an end.” David Williams, Roberts’ barrister, told the court that Roberts himself had received facial injuries during the prolonged incident.

Judge Thomas said that was hardly surprising as Miss Walker had tried to defend herself and Mr Harris had struggled to get the knife from him. Mr Williams said Roberts was “haunted” by what he had done. Judge Thomas said Roberts, a pipefitter, had carried out a “particularly bad episode of domestic violence” during which he had held a knife to Miss Walker’s throat to add to the terror. Mark Harris and Rachel Crane had acted bravely, he added. Roberts was also made the subject of a restraining order and banned from contacting Miss Walker, unless through his parents and only in relation to their daughter, and from entering a named street in Hakin.

Business

Wolfscastle Country Hotel crowned Wales’ best boutique wedding venue

Published

10 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa has been named Wales’ Best Boutique Wedding Venue for 2024 at the prestigious Welsh National Wedding Awards.

The ceremony, held on Sunday (Nov 10) at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, welcomed more than 600 guests for its 13th annual celebration. Thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and supporters to determine the winners from over 300 shortlisted nominees.

Double victory

The Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa not only won the regional title for west Wales but also secured the national accolade for the second time in three years.

Known for its glamorous reception spaces and elegant ceremony room, the hotel offers a comprehensive bridal package. This includes wedding accommodation and a private spa experience featuring a hot tub, sauna, and various treatments.

Celebrating success

Taking to social media, the hotel expressed gratitude to its guests and staff for their role in achieving this prestigious honour.

Hotel owner Andy Stirling said:
“We’re very proud to have been nominated and voted winners in both our local and national categories.

“I have the pleasure of seeing how tirelessly Lowri, and my wife Mandy Stirling, our wedding coordinators, work on every wedding to tailor the experience to suit the couples we have joining us.

“We pride ourselves on offering exquisite in-house catering provided by head chef Seb, head pastry chef Adama, and our excellent kitchen team, backed up by first-class table service from our highly experienced waiting staff.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support of our guests and couples who have wedded with us in helping achieve this award.

“I know that myself and the team all look forward to hosting many more phenomenal weddings in the future.”

Welsh National Wedding Awards

The awards celebrate the best wedding venues and services across Wales, with attendees from all regions of the country.

***Celebrations: Andy and Mandy Stirling with wedding co-ordinator Lowri Nicholas (Pic: Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa)***

Community

Special guests for Torch showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’

Published

17 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY was the most appropriate day for the screening before a Pembrokeshire audience of a remarkable film, narrated by the last surviving ‘Dambuster’ of the RAF’s 617 Squadron.

The RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods, and World War II Veteran Duncan Hilling, of Saundersfoot, were chief guests at the Torch Theatre for the showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’, one of three large dams in Germany attacked by 617 Squadron in May 1943.

They were joined by service representatives, air cadets and many locals – the evening being a fundraising event for the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincolnshire.

Exquisitely created in digital format, the film describes the story of Avro Lancaster bomber AJ-T which attacked the Sorpe Dam, with the narration by the late Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson, who died in 2022. He was the bomb aimer on the aircraft which dropped an ‘Upkeep’ bomb on the dam.

It is the culmination of six years of work by film producer Andrew Panton and Pitor Forkasiewicz and is now part of the IBCC archive. Also shown was a short film ‘Remembering the Avro Lancaster’ in which four wartime aircrew visit a preserved Lancaster at a Lincolnshire museum. The film was launched that day by the IBCC, with the Torch audience being the first to see a live screening.

The event was organised by Andrew Panton’s brother, Ian, of St Davids, who commented: “There was no doubt that many found this a very special occasion for Remembering Them, and so many others, on Remembrance Sunday.”

On display during the evening was a Lancaster bomb aimer’s panel, re-created by Dr Andy Watkin, a Trustee of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.