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Crime

Fire at newly opened Llandysul gym prompts police investigation

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One person arrested; founders vow they will ‘reopen in no time’

A FIRE at a newly opened gym in Llandysul has led to the arrest of one person, with police treating the incident as suspected arson.

Emergency crews were called to Y Gampfa, the new fitness hub in the town, during the early hours of Thursday, November 13 – less than a fortnight after its official launch on November 1.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that one individual has been arrested and later released on bail while enquiries continue. Officers are urging anyone with information to come forward.

‘Deeply saddened but relieved no one was hurt’

Co-founder James Turner said the team had been left devastated by the incident so soon after opening.

“We are deeply saddened by what has happened to our recently launched Y Gampfa gym,” he said. “Most importantly, we are relieved that none of our staff or members were inside at the time. The damage is confined to the building and equipment, and no one was injured.”

The gym had attracted strong early interest, bolstered by support from fitness influencers Emily Olivia and Tyle Smith.

Founders determined to reopen

Co-founder Josh Farmer said the fire had hit the team hard but insisted the project would continue.

“This has been incredibly disheartening after the time, work and passion that went into creating a new wellbeing space for the community,” he said. “Because there is an active criminal investigation, we can’t discuss details, but we want to reassure members that Y Gampfa will reopen as soon as possible.”

The gym’s open day earlier this month drew hundreds of residents, and more than 200 members signed up within the first days of trading.

Co-founder Steffan Evans paid tribute to the community response.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support,” he said. “People’s messages, offers of help and encouragement show exactly why this place matters. We also want to thank the emergency services for their swift response.”

Fellow co-founder James Stewart added: “With the backing of our friends, families and the wider community, we are determined to rebuild. We look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as we can.”

Police appeal

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, or report anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Y Gampfa opened earlier this month after being founded in 2025 by Steffan Evans, Josh Farmer, James Stewart and James Turner, all from the Teifi Valley, with the aim of offering an inclusive fitness space “where everyone belongs”.

 

Crime

Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault

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When a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.

But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.

Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick,  who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewellyn, causing her actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewellyn arrived.

“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”

Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.

But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewellyn.

“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.

 “She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms.  But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s  job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav. 

“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass.  She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”

Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.  During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.  She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewellyn, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit

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A Pembrokeshire farm worker has  lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.

When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.

At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out.  These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.

James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.

“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said.  “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”

Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.

James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Pembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children

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A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children.

David Lewis, 42, is accused of making 261 of the most serious category A images of a child together with 71 category B images and 51 category C images of a child.  The offences are alleged to have been committed between March 19, 2025 and August 6, 2025.

He is further accused of distributing one indecent category A image of a child at an undisclosed location in Llanteg, Narberth, on July 27, 2025.

This week Lewis – formerly of Ashdale Lane, Pembroke but now residing at Hoopers Guest House in Swansea – appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he submitted no pleas to all four charges.

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told magistrates that a total of 81,000 images and videos are currently being investigated in respect of the defendant, with the result that the police enquiry is not yet complete.

 “A lot of these photographs are of babies, with the result that their severity is not suitable for the magistrates court,” Dennis Davies told the Haverfordwest Bench.

As a result of the Crown’s comments, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the matter will now be dealt with by Swansea Crown Court, commencing on May 29.  Lewis was released on unconditional bail.

 

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