News

Milford Haven: Birthday girl ‘set fire to her own flat’, court hears

Published

10 years ago

January 19, 2015

A MILFORD HAVEN woman became out of control on drink and drugs during her birthday celebrations, leading to her ‘setting fire’ to her Mount Estate flat, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday (Jan 19).

Natasha Bradbury, 26, of Chestnut Way, appeared before Magistrates to face one charge of arson when reckless as to whether life could be endangered, one charge of breaching a conditional discharge, and one charge of being in possession of a class B drug.

Appearing behind the glass security screen flanked by two security officers, and wearing a loose fitting grey sweatshirt, Bradbury hid her face and sobbed as the charges were put to her.

Remanded for arson: Natasha Bradbury

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones explained to the court the events which led to the arrest: “At 5am police were called to the scene of a disturbance, which was outside the defendant’s home in the Mount Estate. Following a day of partying in Swansea, and drinking in the local pubs of Milford Haven she was reported to have been very drunk, and screaming and shouting and repeatedly kicking her door. Then, five minutes later a neighbour reported that he heard her shouting. She was heard shouting ‘I have set fire to my house and I don’t care about any of you c***s’. It is alleged that she put her hand through her own letter box and set fire to the curtain on the other side of the door.”

He added: “She should not get bail. I would say that anyone who gets themselves in such a state and not remember it could well do it again. Luckily the defendant’s boyfriend and another male who were at the scene were able to put the fire out before the fire brigade arrived.”

Defending, Mike Kelleher argued that Bradbury could be kept out of trouble if she was given her liberty and bailed to her mother’s address in Sageston. He said that his client suffered from anxiety and depression and regularly visited her doctor to obtain medication. He said that when she failed to answer bail on a previous occasion it was because she got mixed up and went to the police station instead of court.

Mr Kelleher said: “There may be people in the Mount Estate who wouldn’t take kindly to there being someone who started a fire living there. The houses are closely packed together. We are dealing with a minor fire, but all arson is serious. But she set fire to a curtain, and that was the extent of it.”

Chairman of the bench, Cllr David Simpson said: “You have listened to the charges, the bench has listened to what has been said here today. Unfortunately we do not feel we can grant you bail. You will be remanded in custody for arson when reckless as to whether life could be endangered.”

Bradbury will now appear at Swansea Crown Court on January 27. She was given a total of £170 in fines and costs for possession of cannabis and the breach of a conditional discharge.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.