News

Still banned after changing name

Published

11 years ago

February 5, 2015

AFTER finding out his real name from his birth certificate, a Pembroke Dock man tried his luck and applied for a new driving license under his original name even though he was banned from driving.

Shaun Coleman, aged 26, of Coronation School, was previously known as Brown but applied for the license when he found out his name was Coleman.

Coleman appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jan 20) to learn his sentence after he pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining a driving license whilst disqualified and also being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Coleman had been on a night out in Wrexham in November but, realising he had nowhere to sleep, he called the police reporting an incident and when they came he asked to be arrested so that he could have a place to sleep.

The court also heard how Coleman had no intentions of driving and that he simply used the provisional license for ID purposes.

Prosecuting, Nick Newton told the court: “On November 27, at around 11:30pm this man has rung the police to report an alleged burglary and assault. However, when the police arrived he shouted: ‘Come on then, arrest me’. It turns out that he had called the police for no other reason than to be arrested. He was asked to move on but he continued to be abusive and he was arrested and taken to the police station in Wrexham. They found a bank card in the name of Shaun Brown but they also found a provisional license under the name of Coleman. Under the name of Brown he was disqualified from driving for three years and he was arrested on suspicion of obtaining a license whilst disqualified. He accepted that he was drunk and that he got himself arrested in order to have a bed for the night. He also accepted he has previous convictions under the name of Brown and he accepts the latest charges. He wasn’t driving at the time and he simply used the license for ID.”

Defending, Mark Layton added: “He does have previous convictions under the name of Brown but when he saw his birth certificate he realised his name was Coleman and he took that as the name he would like to be known as. Driving was not in his contemplation. He didn’t think he had done anything wrong in applying for the license. It was simply to legitimise his birth name and it was not intended for driving purposes. This is a serious offence but it is not aggravated by excessive culpability.”

Magistrates fined Coleman £40 for both offences. He was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

37 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.