News

St Florence land fraud woman jailed

Published

10 years ago

February 13, 2015

Swansea Crown Court

A WOMAN who fraudulently sold land in west Wales to unsuspecting holidaymakers has been jailed for three years this afternoon (Feb 13).

Carolyn Jane Henderson, aged 50, pretended “for years and years” that land at two locations could be used for new homes, log cabins, caravans and tents.

But planning permission had not been granted and Henderson had not even bothered applying for any.

Swansea Crown Court heard how Henderson netted £159,000 before she was arrested. She was now bankrupt and there was no prospect of her paying back any of the money.

Henderson, more recently of Beynons Court, Tavernspite near Whitland, had admitted five offences of fraud by falsely representing between 2010 and 2011 that land for sale at Briar Paddock, St Florence, could be used for caravanning and camping.

The victims were David Harries, Diane Morgan, Paul Stewart, Glyn Coward and John Boswell.

Henderson also admitted possessing an article for use in fraud, a “document of truth” purportedly signed by a C Hastings.

She also admitted between 2005 and 2006 fraudulently obtaining a money order for £15,000 from Roland Evans by claiming that land at Hafod Wen, Llanteg, was suitable for planning permission and that if permission was not granted she would return the money.

Henderson also pleaded guilty to advertising land at Hafod Wen for sale while falsely claiming it was suitable for caravanning and camping.

During an earlier hearing, Henderson’s sister, Amanda Victoria Henderson, aged 42, of Hafod Wen, had denied four charges of fraud relating to land at Hafod Wen. The pleas were accepted and she was discharged after the judge had entered formal verdicts of not guilty.

Huw Rees, prosecuting, said Carolyn Henderson had lived at Hafod Wen with her sister but they had run into difficulties keeping up with mortgage repayments.

Carolyn Henderson began advertising for sale parcels of land at Hafod Wen, where the sisters had five acres of agricultural land, as suitable for caravans and tents. Buyers were duped by an offer by Henderson to buy back the land within three years should there be difficulty with planning issues.

Mr Rees said Henderson went on to carry out similar frauds at Briar Paddock, this time advertising the plots as suitable for houses or log cabins even though she didn’t even own the land.

Mr Rees said Henderson managed to achieve several sales, one alone for £25,000, before getting round to actually buying the land from Anne Marie Wilkinson for £53,000.

He said Henderson made £52,900 out of Hafod Wen and £94,500 from Briar Paddock.

Mr Rees said Henderson, apparently acting on behalf of Hafod Wen Organics, went on to commission a company to drill a water hole on land she owned at Wolves Newton, near Usk. But she refused to pay the £8,500 bill and, in an effort to avoid making payment, forged an invoice from another company in a bid to make it look as if they had carried out the work.

She admitted possessing an article in the use of fraud.

Mr Rees told a packed court room that Henderson’s previous convictions included one for the fraudulent importation of goods and for obtaining property by deception.

Her barrister, Nathanial Wade, said Henderson suffered from complex health issues, both physical and mental, and would find a prison sentence very difficult.

“Many people would like to see her punished, understandably so. She would like to repay them but cannot.

“She is now bankrupt and living in social housing. Hafod Wen has been sold or is about to be sold,” he added.

Judge Huw Davies said Henderson has been “cunning, bold, calculated and persistent” in her offending.

“You knew there was no prospect of getting planning permission because you had already had brushes with the planning authority.”

Judge Davies said many of Henderson’s victims had lost money they would not be able to replace.

Crime

Bin lorry driver banned after “squishing” man in road rage incident

Published

18 mins ago

November 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RHYS GRIFFITHS, a former bin lorry driver, has been banned from driving after injuring a man by colliding with his car door during a road confrontation on St Issels Avenue, Haverfordwest, on 22 February 2023.

Swansea Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Harry Dickens that Griffiths, 32, accelerated towards the victim’s vehicle, stopping bumper-to-bumper. Following a brief verbal exchange, the victim turned back to his car, only to hear Griffiths rev his engine, mount the kerb, and strike the driver-side door, pinning the man against his own car. Though the victim felt pain in his thighs, he did not require medical attention, and only minor damage was reported to the car.

Griffiths left the scene without stopping, and a witness alerted the police. The victim later told officers: “There was no need for this incident at all.”

Griffiths initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, later changing his plea to guilty on the day of his trial. His defence lawyer, Emily Bennett, expressed Griffiths’ “deep shame” over the incident, noting he had been redeployed from his job as a bin lorry driver due to the offence.

Judge Paul Thomas KC described Griffiths’ actions as “incredibly stupid” and sentenced him to 10 months, suspended for 18 months. Griffiths must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days, and pay £1,200 in costs due to the lateness of his plea. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence.

Health

Welsh GP committee reject contract offer and hold referendum for members

Published

24 mins ago

November 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BMA Cymru Wales’ GP committee has voted unanimously to reject the Welsh Government’s offer for the 2024/2025 GMS (General Medical services) contract, as it fails to provide a credible and sustainable future for general practice.

GPs in Wales will now vote on whether to accept or reject the contract in a referendum which will open later this month.*

Dr Gareth Oelmann, chair of the BMA’s Welsh GP committee said:

“The decision to disregard the serious concerns and valuable contribution of general practice once again in Wales is beyond insulting, it is dangerous, leaving more surgeries and their patients in peril.

“We are deeply concerned that this offer will leave more practices with no option but to close their doors. GP practices are being denied the resources they need to deliver vital services to the population.

“For years, the service has been starved of adequate funding which has led to the closure of 100 surgeries since 2012. This is having a devastating impact on general practice.

“A recent survey** of our members showed that 91% of GPs are routinely unable to meet patient demand due to unsustainably high workloads.

“With 100 fewer surgeries for patients to turn to, GPs are now seeing up to 35% more patients each, causing unsustainably high workloads and burnout with doctors being expected to do more with less, risking patient safety. How long can this continue?”

Dr Oelmann continued: “General Practice is the foundation of a high-quality, cost-effective health system, but successive governments have insisted on ignoring the vital role general practice plays in the national health service.

“Welsh Government had an opportunity to change the current trajectory but has failed to do so. It is now up to GPs to decide what happens next.”

Entertainment

Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience torock Tenby Blues Festival

Published

2 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE soulful, genre-bending blues act, Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, is set to take the main stage on Friday at Tenby Blues Festival, bringing their high-energy mix of blues, rock, and soul.

Ranked #3 on both the Roots Music Report UK and the UK IBBA Most Played chart in September 2024, Pat Fulgoni’s latest album, Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, has captured the hearts of blues lovers across the UK. Released on September 27, 2024, the album has received praise for its dynamic fusion of blues, funk, and soul. Tracks like “Drifter,” “Keep The Blues Alive,” and “Stickin’ the Knife in Blues” showcase Fulgoni’s powerful vocals, which have been hailed by Billboard magazine, describing him as a singer who “could sing a pearl from its oyster.”

The Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience began as a spontaneous lineup supporting a food bank fundraiser in Huddersfield. Since then, Fulgoni and his band have performed at numerous blues festivals, from Colne Blues to Blues Alive in the Czech Republic, and have built a reputation as a sought-after live act. The band’s lineup features rising guitar talent Jacob Beckwith, alongside the rhythm section of bassist Rory Wells and drummer Zebedee Sylvester, with Sam Bolt on piano. Together, they deliver a distinctive blend of original tracks and classic covers, including “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” and “Midnight Train.”

For fans of soulful, energetic blues, don’t miss Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience this Friday at Tenby Blues Festival. More information and music are available on Spotify, Bandcamp, and other platforms.