News

Birth of child was no excuse

Published

10 years ago

January 22, 2015

A THIEF who said he could not attend a probation appointment because his partner was giving birth was sentenced to twelve weeks in prison at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jan 6). Matthew Adams, aged 23 of Carr Terrace, Pennar had pleaded guilty to four charges of theft from vehicles on October 22, 2014, on December 9. On that occasion the Magistrates felt that a presentence report should be prepared, but he did not attend on the date that was given. Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “On October 22, vehicles were broken into during the early hours of the morning.

“From a Nissan Micra and a Toyota Avensis, he stole a wallet and cards. “From a Toyota Yaris he stole a rucksack, £50 in cash and other property including identity cards, and he stole loose change and two mobile phones from a Volkswagen Up. “All of the vehicles had been left unlocked. “One of the victims had certain information about a person he thought might have been involved and he went round to this person’s house and looked through the window. He noticed his rucksack inside and called the police.

“The other items were found when the police arrived and the defendant was arrested. “At the time he had also been smoking cannabis, and whilst on his way home from Pembroke and Lamphey he discovered that the wallets had no money in them and he threw the wallets over the hedge. He wanted to keep the phones for himself. “He also had about £15 in change from the cars, which he spent at a chip shop. He said he wanted to check the phones as he was being nosey but he found that they were locked.

“In interview he told the officer he went for a walk at around 1am and was looking in cars for money. “He explained that he had checked a number of cars and says he took the items for his own use going on to say, ‘I’ve been struggling for money, it’s no excuse I know’. Defending, Matt Greenish said: “His appointment was on December 18 but his partner gave birth on that day. “He should have been in contact with the court but his mind was with his partner at that time. He has had a shortage of money and there have been a number of ongoing issues”.

Matt Greenish asked the Magistrates to adjourn the case for three weeks to allow for a report but they were not prepared to wait and he was sent to prison for 12 weeks. He was also ordered to pay £50 in compensation to Shaun Griffiths and an £80 victim surcharge.

News

Extra funding boost for Saundersfoot Library

Published

6 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAUNDERSFOOT COMMUNITY COUNCIL has increased its donation to Saundersfoot Library in a bid to help the facility grow and continue providing a valuable service to both residents and visitors.

The library, which is one of the few in Pembrokeshire run almost entirely by volunteers, offers far more than books. Visitors can access photocopying, public computers, local newsletters and magazines — including those produced by the council — as well as food waste bags and a wide range of useful information.

The facility is also being used by a newly-formed Welsh Conversation Group, which meets on Wednesday mornings, and by the Saundersfoot in Bloom group. Plans are in place to extend public opening hours to include Mondays in the near future.

Councillor Alec Cormack, Chair of Saundersfoot Community Council, said: “We’re really keen to support the library in any way we can – it’s such a fantastic asset for the village. We hope this extra funding will help it become even more useful and accessible to everyone.”

The library is run under the leadership of Regency Hall Trustees Averil Upham and Moira Saunders, alongside support from Sam Woolley and Anita Thomas at Pembrokeshire County Council.

Pictured (left to right): Emma Price (Regency Hall Manager), Averil Upham (Regency Hall Trustee managing the library), Cllr Alec Cormack, and Sue Boughton-Thomas (Regency Hall Trustee).

Community

Hedgehogs successfully rehomed at Bluestone National Park Resort

Published

7 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THIS month, May 2025, Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales has rehomed three juvenile hedgehogs aged one year old as part of the five-star holiday resort’s long-standing partnership with Pembrokeshire Hogspital. Pembrokeshire Hogspital rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs, returning them to the wild in most cases.

Three hedgehogs, twin brothers and a single unrelated female, are now in the process of a soft release at Bluestone National Park Resort. A purpose-built lodge is made for them, gradually they are given more space, the fences are then taken away, and food will continue to be provided for them until eventually they are successfully integrated into the wild.

Marten Lewis, director of sustainability at Bluestone, said: “Over the past five years, Bluestone has been part of several heartwarming hedgehog releases. This spring we were delighted to have rehomed and released more hedgehogs who have received incredible care from Pembrokeshire Hogspital. This one is extra special as we also got a little help from our community, asking Bluestone’s social media followers to name the hedgehogs’ new ‘lodges’; so, the new official lodge names are Tŷ Draenog and Hodge Lodge.”

Bluestone has a longstanding partnership of five years with its local Hogspital, having donated money for an intensive care unit to provide incubators for looking after baby hedgehogs; and serving as an emergency release site, which is a safe place for hedgehogs that are ready to leave the Hogspital but for a variety of reasons can’t be taken back to where they were found.

Find out more about how people and the planet are at the heart of Bluestone National Park Resort and book a stay at bluestonewales.com

News

Public safety warning issued for Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay

Published

7 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN is urging members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard in Milford Haven and Criterion Quay in Pembroke Dock due to ongoing concerns over public safety.

Despite enhanced security measures, individuals continue to access both sites illegally—damaging fencing and ignoring prominent warning signage in the process.

Both Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay (also known locally as the offshore jetty) are privately owned by the Port of Milford Haven. The Port has warned that any unauthorised entry constitutes trespassing, and incidents involving criminal damage could result in prosecution.

Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port of Milford Haven, said:
“Safety is our key priority. Members of the public are continuously putting themselves—and our staff—at risk of serious harm by trespassing in these areas.

“Both locations are isolated and lie adjacent to deep water, making them particularly hazardous. There is a serious risk of slips, trips, and falls.”

The Port is asking anyone who witnesses suspicious activity at either site to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately by calling 101.