Crime

Plaques unveiled in Haverfordwest to honour HIV charity pioneer Terry Higgins

Published

4 months ago

December 2, 2025

Two blue plaques mark the birthplace of the man whose death led to creation of Terrence Higgins Trust

THE LIFE and legacy of Terry Higgins – the Welshman whose death spurred the founding of Europe’s first HIV charity – were formally commemorated in Haverfordwest today (Dec 2) with the unveiling of two blue plaques at his birthplace.

A crowd gathered at Priory Court on Winch Lane at 12:00pm to witness the unveiling, which was followed by a reception attended by family, friends, supporters and representatives from Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s largest HIV organisation.

Terry Higgins was born at the former Priory Mount Hospital on 10 June 1945 and spent the first eighteen years of his life in Haverfordwest before joining the Royal Navy. In 1982, aged just thirty-seven, he became one of the first people in the UK to die from an AIDS-related illness.

Moved by grief and determined to ensure no one else faced the same isolation, his friends and partner established Terrence Higgins Trust in his name. More than four decades later, the charity now provides HIV services, testing, and support across the UK – including in Wales – and continues to play a central role in national HIV policy and public awareness.

Blue plaques mark birthplace

Two plaques – one in Welsh and one in English – were installed on the stone entrance pillars at Glebe House, marking the first time Terry Higgins has been formally commemorated in the town where he grew up.

The project was delivered jointly by Terrence Higgins Trust and Dr Simon Hancock, curator of Haverfordwest Town Museum.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Hancock said: “I am delighted Terry Higgins is finally being commemorated in the town of his birth. Half of his short life was lived in Haverfordwest where he was educated and where he forged his earliest relationships.”

“Important to remember how he lived”

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said the plaques mark not just a moment of remembrance, but a reminder of the humanity at the centre of Britain’s HIV story.

“Terry is best known for how he died, and for the grief and love for him which led to the creation of Terrence Higgins Trust,” he said. “But it’s really important to remember how he lived. A proud gay Welshman, still remembered with affection in the local community, by his friends and his surviving partner. Terry deserves to be honoured in Haverfordwest, in the place of his birth, as we mark what would have been his 80th year.”

Among those attending were Martyn Butler OBE, Terry’s friend and one of the charity’s co-founders, alongside civic representatives and supporters who have backed the memorial project.

How to support

Donations towards the plaques and future local commemorations can be made at tht.events/cymru-terry, or by texting RIBBON 5 to 70480 to donate £5, or RIBBON 10 to donate £10.

Images: Martin Cavaney Photography

Crime

Motorist loses licence after report of drink-driving from Narberth pub

Published

13 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A woman who was reported to police for drink-driving from a Narberth pub has been banned from the roads

A COURT has heard how a motorist was arrested by police officers following a call stating that she was drink-driving from the Ivy Bush in Narberth.

The call was made just after 10pm on February 22.

“The caller stated that Tanya Hanna was drinking-driving from the Ivy Bush in a Mercedes,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When Hanna, 36, was apprehended by officers at Kiln Park Road, a roadside breath test proved positive while further tests at the police station showed she had 47 mcg of alcohol in her system, the legal limit being 35.

Hanna, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge. She was represented in court by Michael Kelleher.

“It wasn’t the most pleasant situation when someone took umbrage with Tanya and phoned the police,” he said. “As a result, she has lost her job.

“She knows she’s let herself and her family down, because without a driving licence, it’ll be very difficult for her to keep in regular contact with them, having to rely on public transport.”

Hanna, of Beach Hotel, Marsh Road, Pendine, was disqualified from driving for 14 months. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Driver banned after drink-driving on Cleddau Bridge

Published

13 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving on Cleddau Bridge when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Andrew Evans, 36, was stopped by officers just before 1am on February 25 as he drove his Nissan Qashqai northwards towards Neyland.

After providing a positive roadside breath test, subsequent tests carried out at the police station showed he had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

This week Evans, of Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“He believed he’d allowed enough time for the alcohol to pass through his system but that, unfortunately for him, was a dreadful mistake although his alcohol levels were decreasing all the time,” said Mr Kelleher.

Evans, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for 13 months. He was fined £461 and ordered to pay a £184 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Teen avoids jail after knife incident in Tenby

Published

13 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

He was found carrying a kitchen knife in Tenby town centre has been handed a suspended sentence

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being found in possession of a bladed article in Tenby town centre.

Police officers were called to The Glebe in the early hours of April 26, 2025, following a call from a member of the public that a male had been seen carrying an offensive weapon. There they found Teilo Griffiths in possession of a kitchen knife.

“The defendant’s mother contacted the police at around 2am, reporting an ongoing incident with her son,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.”

While Mrs Griffiths was on the phone, her son left the home address.

“A young male was then reported to be walking around Tenby town centre in possession of a kitchen knife,” continued Linda Baker. “He wasn’t making threats to anyone but he was under the influence.”

Griffiths, of The Glebe, Tenby, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the knife and was represented in court by Tom Lloyd.

“When he was arrested, he was open and honest straight away, and admitted he couldn’t remember what had happened,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He’d been out with friends, he was over excited, people were buying him drinks, and this wasn’t something he was used to. He went totally over the top and can’t remember what happened.”

Griffiths was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and a 12 month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the knife.