News

Milford Haven: Warrant issued after struck-off solicitor failed to attend court

Published

11 years ago

January 23, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Eaves Solicitors: Closed in December 2012

A WARRANT was issued on Thursday (Jan 22) for the arrest of a solicitor who used money from a dead woman’s estate to bulk up his company accounts.

Simon Griffiths, 52, who ran Eaves Solicitors in Milford Haven was struck-off the roll by a Solicitor’s Disciplinary Tribunal in October 2013. Griffiths failed to attend Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to answer a charge of false accounting, and one further charge of abuse of position.

The chairman of the bench at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court issued a warrant for the immediate arrest of the former lawyer, and the police were informed.

Griffiths, from Pembroke, was arrested and appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court today (Jan 23) to confirm his name and address.

Griffiths’ case will now be dealt with at Swansea Crown Court on Jan 30.

Griffiths was hauled before the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal fifteen months ago, after concerns were raised about his practice at Eaves Solicitors in Milford Haven.

Facing charges: Simon Griffiths

He faced a number of allegations, including failing to fulfill and undertaking and misleading another firm of solicitors, which were found proved. At the beginning of 2011, Griffiths was instructed in the sale of house and undertook the duty to discharge the mortgage before the completion of the sale in April 2011.

However, despite giving repeated assurances to the purchasers’ solicitors, he failed to do so, the tribunal found. “On April 5, a day before completion, Eaves solicitors Mr Griffiths, gave a written undertaking to redeem the Bank of Scotland charge, to provide confirmation of discharge, as the sale was received by the mortgagees,” said Geoff Hudson for the SRA.

He said Eaves Solicitors had received around £100,000 from the sale of another property, but that it would not have been enough to discharge the Bank of Scotland mortgage.

“What sums that had been received were taken for the benefit of the company of which Griffiths was sole director,” Mr Hudson said. He added that one of the accounts ledgers at Eaves did not “meet the required standards” in terms of the information that it contained, and showed money being transferred into the accounts of companies for which Griffiths was the director. The panel was also told that during the sale of the house, Griffiths had twice “misleadingly” wrote to the solicitors of the purchasers to say that he had fulfilled his duty when he had not.

Mr Hudson said: “We say he knew when he wrote those letters because of the pressure and the threat to report to the SRA and to deflect the pressure in misleading them that the mortgage had been redeemed and that the problem was the mortgagee. “We say for a solicitor to mislead another in that way would be seen by reasonable and honest people as being dishonest behaviour.”

The tribunal heard that up until Monday (October 21) the mortgage had still not been discharged. In August 2012 a forensic financial investigation into the running of Eaves solicitors was launched after an allegation surfaced about the transfer of £30,000 from a client’s estate into a company account for which Griffiths was director. The woman, known only as Mrs Ward-Jones, had died and left an estate worth around £150,000 to her two sisters, one of whom, Christine Sheridan, was in a care home. Eaves accounts showed an entry in the July 31 ledger that £30,000 had been paid out as an “interim distribution” to Ms Sheridan’s account.

Financial investigator for the SRA, Oliver Baker, told the hearing that Griffiths’ book-keeper had first raised concerns about practice at the firm. “The firm’s book-keeper pulled me to one side and asked me to look at it as he had not seen supported documentation in relation to the transfer, and I believe he had some concerns about the state of the firm and Griffiths at the time.”

He added that the book-maker was also concerned because he had seen some documentation suggesting the firm might have to close down, but that this was not communicated to him. Mr Baker eventually discovered that although Griffiths had tried to hide the transaction in a paper trail, the sum of £30,000 had in fact gone to an account for Harwood Court Ltd, a company at which Griffiths was the director. “We say for a solicitor to use client monies for his own purposes is seen by reasonable and honest people to be dishonest behaviour,” Mr Hudson said.

Griffiths, who did not attend the central London hearing and was not represented, admitted all of the allegations apart from those relating to account issues. He claimed that at the time of his misconduct he has been suffering from a personality disorder, but the panel found there was not enough evidence to support this. He was found guilty of all the allegations and struck off. Griffiths was also ordered to pay £31,200 in costs.

Finding that Griffith had acted dishonestly, panel chair Dominic Green said: “We have considered this matter carefully on the respondent’s absence.

The seriousness of the misconduct was of the highest level and that a lesser sanction than striking off is not appropriate. “The decision today is that the first respondent is struck off. We have decided that, for protection of the public, and the protection of the reputation of the profession.” Griffiths’ wife, Sarah, and partner firm was initially named as a respondent in the proceedings, but parties reached an agreement with relation to her involvement.

Have you been affected by Eaves Solicitors closure? Please contact The Herald on 01646 45 45 45.

Entertainment

Blodwen Rocks the Boat sets sail for Torch Theatre

Published

1 hour ago

February 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

One-woman musical comedy from Newport performer Emily Davis heads to Milford Haven after Fringe success

FOLLOWING a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Newport performer Emily Davis is setting sail on a UK tour with her uplifting one-woman musical comedy, Blodwen Rocks the Boat.

Blending sharp satire, original songs and heartfelt storytelling, the show takes an affectionate look at modern ideas of work, ambition and success — and what happens when we dare to question the path we’re on.

Blodwen believes she’s finally got it all figured out. The job, the city lifestyle, the reassuring sense that she’s “made it.” But when a corporate away day takes her unexpectedly out to sea, something begins to shift. As the tide turns, so too does Blodwen’s understanding of what success really means.

Directed by Paulus the Cabaret Geek and accompanied by musician and composer Andy Campbell Smith, Blodwen Rocks the Boat is a witty and life-affirming reminder that success isn’t always about climbing higher — sometimes it’s about choosing your own direction.

Emily Davis is a Welsh cabaret performer, singer and writer who has built a loyal following for her character-led solo shows. Previous Blodwen productions have enjoyed acclaimed runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and venues including the Wales Millennium Centre. This latest show marks her most ambitious project yet — a fully original musical developed through Fringe performances, previews and professional collaboration.

Emily said: “My Blodwen has blossomed! This is my biggest show yet and I can’t wait to see how audiences respond. I invite you to spend an evening with me — a Welsh woman who can sing and doesn’t mind making a fool of herself on stage! I promise you’ll also leave feeling very excited about stationery!”

The London Theatre Review described the show as “stunning”, adding: “Emily’s striking and powerful singing contrasts beautifully with the Welsh-accented simplicity of Blodwen’s stories. What an engaging performer.” Cabaret Scenes praised her vocal talent, calling it “her secret weapon.”

Blodwen Rocks the Boat tours the UK this spring and comes to the Torch Theatre on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are £15 and the show is suitable for ages twelve and over.

For more information visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Entertainment

Let the cat out of the bag with the Torch Theatre

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

IT MAY feel like Christmas is a long way off, but tickets for the Torch Theatre’s 2026 school pantomime are already selling fast.

This year’s production promises hiss-terical humour, plenty of local references and a whisker of Western adventure as Puss in Boots rides into town. With over 2,000 tickets already booked and some performances sold out, schools are being urged to secure their seats now.

For a limited time, tickets are available at a special early bird price, and schools pay nothing until December. Booking early not only guarantees the best seats in the house but locks in this year’s prices too.

Last year’s Rapunzel welcomed more than 3,000 schoolchildren from across Pembrokeshire. Six schools also received financial support through the Arts Council of Wales ‘Go and See Fund’ to attend. The theatre is hoping to build on that success in 2026.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch, said: “For many young people, pantomime is their first experience of live theatre — that first spark of theatrical magic. Our commitment goes beyond the curtain call, with every school receiving a dedicated resource pack to bring the themes of the show into the classroom.

“Regardless of where they live, young people need the arts. We’re proud to support our community’s wellbeing through live performance. Studies suggest that the social connection found at the theatre can even reduce GP visits and hospital stays. Our panto isn’t just a show — it’s part of building a healthier Pembrokeshire. And they do say laughter is the best medicine.”

The Torch is preparing to welcome audiences this December as Puss helps our heroes chase fame and fur-tune in Wild West Wales. Pull on your cowboy boots and join the meow-sical extravaganza — it promises to be the cat’s pyjamas.

A Relaxed Environment performance will take place on Saturday 19 December at 2:00pm, and a BSL-interpreted performance on Tuesday 22 December at 6:00pm.

For more information visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Education

Pembrokeshire respiratory project praised at the Senedd

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN INNOVATIVE Pembrokeshire scheme improving asthma care for primary school children has been recognised at an event held at the Senedd on Monday (Jan 27).

The Pembrokeshire Schools Respiratory Project, which has been running since 2023 across North and South Pembrokeshire school clusters, delivers in-school respiratory reviews and education sessions for pupils, parents and teaching staff. It is believed to be the first programme of its kind in Wales.

Samuel Kurtz met with project lead, Narberth-based pharmacist Dave Edwards, along with representatives from Asthma + Lung UK to mark the project’s success.

Mr Edwards said respiratory conditions place a significant burden on children and their families, as well as on the wider healthcare system.

“Our aim is to confirm diagnoses, educate pupils and parents about their condition, emphasise adherence and inhaler technique, and ensure every child has a personalised treatment plan that gives them good control,” he said. “This project demonstrates how local health initiatives can make a real difference.”

As part of the scheme, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils received sessions on the dangers of smoking and vaping, highlighting the impact of these habits on respiratory health. Parents and school staff were offered training aligned with the National Review of Asthma Deaths recommendations and delivered through the ‘Asthma Fit’ programme.

The sessions covered common childhood respiratory illnesses, recognising asthma symptoms, correct inhaler technique, the features of good asthma control, and the importance of having clear action plans for worsening symptoms.

Schools participating in the ‘Asthma Fit’ programme have introduced strengthened asthma policies, including appointing a designated asthma lead, maintaining an up-to-date inhaler register, implementing individual asthma action plans, and ensuring staff are trained to respond quickly and appropriately to attacks.

The project also aligns with national guidance, including the RCP’s National Review of Asthma Deaths report, NHS England’s National Bundle of Care for Children and Young People with Asthma, and the All Wales Paediatric Asthma Guidelines.

To date, 583 children have been reviewed, with more than 65% showing improved asthma control scores. Treatment has been optimised for 65% of pupils, contributing to fewer hospital and out-of-hours visits. The project has also delivered environmental benefits, with carbon savings estimated to be equivalent to more than 70,000 car miles.

In the Autumn Term 2025 alone, 75 pupils received reviews, personalised action plans and inhaler education.

Mr Kurtz said: “I am delighted to celebrate the success of this Pembrokeshire project in the Senedd. It has helped children, parents and schools manage asthma better, easing the burden on GPs and emergency care. Behind every statistic is a real child seeing real improvement.

“I am extremely proud that a Pembrokeshire-based project is leading the way in asthma management and acting as a flagship for other areas across the UK. I am also pleased to hear that plans are already in place to expand the initiative to more schools over the next two years — it thoroughly deserves continued support.”