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Still banned after changing name

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haverfordwest magistratesAFTER 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.

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South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Final Table 2024/25

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All matches complete as season concludes

THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.

The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:

  • Carew 8–2 Llanteg
  • St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
  • Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
  • Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
  • Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
  • East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty

Final League Table (2024/25 Season)

PositionClubPlayedWonDrawnLostS/DPoints
1East Williamston201802313158
2St Johns201406111122
=3Carew201118105111
=3Cosheston20120877111
5Reynalton20110928104
6Hundleton2090117497
7Llanteg207112-7192
8St Twynnells208111-9789
9Badgers206113-2282
=10Lamphey206014-17967
=10Kilgetty206014-26267

Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.

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Search continues for man overboard from UK yacht in Irish Sea

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A MAJOR search and rescue operation is under way in the Irish Sea after a man went overboard from a UK-registered yacht late on Saturday night (Apr 19).

The vessel, which was sailing from Brighton to Swansea via Falmouth, sent a 999 call to the Irish Coast Guard at approximately 10:55pm. The distress call was made by another person on board the yacht, who reported the man missing around 16 nautical miles south of Dunmore East, County Waterford.

The incident initially led to some confusion about the vessel’s position, but authorities later confirmed the yacht was off the coast of Ceann Heilbhic, near Dunmore East, rather than near Swansea.

The Irish Coast Guard launched an immediate multi-agency search operation, with extensive resources deployed overnight and into Sunday morning.

Rescue helicopters R117 from Waterford and R116 from Dublin were scrambled alongside a fixed-wing aircraft from HM Coastguard in the UK. RNLI lifeboats from Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay, and Ballycotton were also launched to join the search.

Weather conditions in the area have been described as calm, which is aiding the ongoing efforts.

The individual who raised the alarm has since been brought safely ashore. However, there has been no confirmed sighting of the missing man, whose identity has not yet been released.

A spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard confirmed that the Dublin-based Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre is continuing to lead the operation and is coordinating all available assets.

As of Sunday afternoon (Apr 20), the man had not been located and the search remains active.

The Herald understands that further updates will be issued as the situation develops.

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Calls for urgent sale of Oakwood site amid trespasser fears

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CONCERNS have been raised about trespassers entering the closed Oakwood theme park, prompting calls for a swift sale of the site.

The once-popular attraction near Narberth has become a hotspot for urban explorers and thrill-seekers, with social media videos emerging of people wandering around the abandoned rides and infrastructure.

Since Oakwood shut its gates last month, following a decision by Spanish owners Aspro Parks to cease operations due to falling visitor numbers, locals have raised concerns about safety and the risk of vandalism.

Sam Kurtz MS, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said a speedy sale was now vital to prevent further deterioration and potential criminal activity.

“The longer it remains empty, the greater the risk of problems – from trespassing to the site falling into disrepair,” said Mr Kurtz. “There’s also a real risk to health and safety if people are entering unsupervised.”

Mr Kurtz called on Aspro to actively work with the Welsh Government, local businesses, and other stakeholders to secure a new future for the site.

“This is a valuable asset,” he said. “There’s been a lot of interest from businesses already, and I urge Aspro to engage with us so we can get the ball rolling.”

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they have received multiple reports of trespassing and possible criminal offences at the site since its closure.

The BBC have reported that Economics expert Professor Calvin Jones, of Cardiff University, was less optimistic about Oakwood’s chances of reopening as a theme park.

“If the existing operator – who’s invested tens of millions – can’t make it viable, it’s unlikely a new operator would be able to,” he said.

Instead, Prof Jones suggested the land might lend itself better to other recreational activities, such as adventure tourism, mountain biking, or zipline attractions, depending on what planning authorities allow.

“Ultimately, the future use of the site will come down to planning permission,” he said. “It may become something entirely different.”

Bluestone National Park Resort, which neighbours Oakwood and employs around 700 people, declined to comment on whether it would consider buying the land. Prof Jones noted that Bluestone has historically expanded cautiously and would likely only consider purchasing the site if the price was low.

The Welsh Government said that it “continues to engage” with Aspro Parks and recognised the former theme park’s importance to the local economy.

A spokesperson said: “We are hopeful a buyer will come forward to ensure this site can continue contributing to tourism in the area.”

Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed it has not yet held any discussions with Aspro.

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