News

Bent cop charged with corruption tried to get council job

Published

6 months ago

December 31, 2025

A FORMER police officer facing corruption allegations applied for a council job while still under investigation, falsely telling prospective employers that he had resigned from the force.

Disgraced ex-Gwent Police officer Luke Silver, from Pembroke, attempted to secure employment with Pembrokeshire County Council while the allegations against him were being examined internally by the force.

Mr Silver was later acquitted of criminal wrongdoing following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. However, an accelerated misconduct hearing found that he had acted dishonestly during multiple job applications submitted before that trial concluded.

The hearing was told that Mr Silver applied for roles with Pembrokeshire County Council and private enforcement firm Waste Investigation Support Enforcement (WISE) Ltd, despite remaining a serving police officer at the time.

In both cases, he falsely claimed that he had resigned from Gwent Police and failed to disclose that he was still employed by the force. He also did not seek permission to apply for external work, as required under police regulations.

The misconduct panel found that Mr Silver “dishonestly used his wife’s maiden name as a reference” during an application to WISE Ltd.

He was also found to have provided Pembrokeshire County Council with false referee details, including naming an individual described as an area manager at WISE Ltd who did not, in fact, exist.

The hearing heard that on Friday, July 11, 2024, Mr Silver completed a reference questionnaire under the false name “Jamie Jones” or “Jay Hopkins”, despite knowing that no such person was employed by the company.

Assistant Chief Constable Nicholas McLain, who chaired the disciplinary hearing, said Mr Silver’s actions amounted to serious dishonesty.

“In each job application he was dishonest and not only failed to disclose that he was a serving officer with Gwent Police, but he lied by stating that he had resigned,” he said.

“He procured false references when obtaining this employment. In each case, he did not have permission from Gwent Police to apply for the respective employment and deliberately failed to notify the force.”

ACC McLain said these breaches represented clear aggravating factors and left no option other than dismissal.

“I am satisfied that the misconduct is so serious that nothing short of immediate dismissal is sufficient to maintain public confidence,” he said.

“I have no hesitation in concluding that the conduct of PC Silver requires that he is immediately dismissed. No lesser outcome is justified or appropriate.”

Following the hearing, Gwent Police said the behaviour fell far below the standards expected of officers.

“The behaviour of PC Silver is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” a force spokesperson said.

“The public rightly expect our officers to uphold the highest professional standards, and PC Silver has failed to do so.”

News

Car left abandoned after crash on Milford Haven road

Published

8 minutes ago

July 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating after a car was abandoned following a crash in Milford Haven on Saturday evening.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to Lower Priory Road at around 8.30pm on Saturday, July 4, following reports of a single-vehicle collision.

When emergency services arrived, nobody was found with the vehicle.

The road was closed while the incident was dealt with and the car was recovered at around 10pm. Lower Priory Road was then reopened.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw anything suspicious in the area at around the time of the incident, to come forward.

Crime

Boy, 15, denies attempted murder of Milford Haven teacher in ‘horrifying’ attack

Published

1 hour ago

July 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Swansea Crown Court hears dramatic opening of trial over February stabbing

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy from Milford Haven has gone on trial accused of attempting to murder a teacher in what prosecutors described as a “planned and murderous attack” inside a classroom.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to have stabbed teacher Vicki Williams in the head with a large kitchen knife during an incident at Milford Haven Comprehensive School on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.

Opening the case at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (July 6), Christopher Rees KC told the jury the defendant had brought the weapon into school in his bag before targeting the teacher.

“The prosecution say the defendant planned and launched a murderous attack,” he said. “He deliberately stabbed Vicki Williams in the head.”

Struggle in the classroom

The court heard the incident unfolded at around 3:10pm when the boy allegedly followed Miss Williams into an empty classroom.

During a struggle, he is said to have pushed her into a chair as she attempted to seize the knife. The court was told she sustained a penetrating wound to the head, along with defensive injuries to her hands and additional scratches and grazes.

When Miss Williams shouted for help, the defendant fled the scene.

Emergency services attended and the teacher was taken to hospital but discharged later the same evening.

Charges denied

The defendant denies attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding. He has previously admitted possessing a bladed article.

A jury of 12, along with an alternate juror, was sworn in before Judge Paul Thomas KC. The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.

Matthew Roberts KC is representing the defence.

Community impact

The incident sent shockwaves through the Milford Haven community and prompted a temporary lockdown at the school on the day.

At the time, parents raised concerns about knife awareness, pupil wellbeing, and staff safety in secondary schools.

Dyfed-Powys Police previously confirmed the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident.

Pembrokeshire County Council and school leaders have said the welfare of pupils and staff remains a priority, but fuller details of any internal review have not been disclosed while criminal proceedings are ongoing.

The trial continues.

Local Government

Pembs residents asked for views on second-home and empty-property council tax

Published

2 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is asking residents, property owners and stakeholders to have their say on the future level of Council Tax premiums for second homes and long-term empty properties.

The consultation will help shape the council’s approach for the 2027-28 financial year, with any agreed changes due to take effect from April 1, 2027.

Council Tax premiums are additional charges placed on top of standard Council Tax bills, which also include the precepts set by Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner and town and community councils.

The council says the consultation will gather views on what level the premiums should be set at in future, as well as how any income raised should be used to support local priorities in Pembrokeshire.

Cllr Jon Harvey, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible on this important issue.

“By taking part in the consultation, residents and stakeholders can help shape future decisions and ensure that a wide range of views are considered before any recommendations are made.

“Please have your say by the closing date of Monday, August 10, 2026.”

The consultation includes background information on Council Tax premiums, the current position in Pembrokeshire and the legal framework within which the authority must operate.

Residents can take part online through the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

Paper copies are also available by calling 01437 764551 or emailing [email protected].

A final decision on the options, including how any funding raised through the premiums will be used, is expected to be made by full council at its meeting on October 15, 2026.

Any decision agreed at that meeting will come into effect from April 1, 2027.