News
‘No case to answer’ for Yerbeston man
THE TRIAL of Lawrence James Goldsworthy from Yerbeston started with him wanting to revoke his early guilty pleas on Wednesday (Feb 11).
The 25-year-old told the court: “I believe that I am not guilty. I didn’t tell my solicitors how I was provoked.” He added: “I can give you a name of someone in prison that revoked his plea.”
The clerk to the justices told Goldsworthy that he had no power to re-open the cases, and the trial would go ahead.
The hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court began by dealing with charges one and two out of five: The allegation that the defendant assaulted Stuart Jones and running off from a taxi without payment.
After solicitor for the defence Mike Kelleher heard that his client wanted to change his plea, told the court: “I don’t think I can continue to act for him. But if he wants to change his plea, clearly our instructions were that they were guilty pleas. I’m in an awkward position so I’m going to stand down.”
Even though Goldsworthy made an application for adjournment, Magistrates decided that the trial would continue. He then had to represent himself and cross examine the witness.
Prosecuting, Leslie Harbon told the court: “At 3am Goldsworthy was in Tenby looking for a taxi home. He was outside the Prince of Wales and asked Stuart Jones, the taxi driver, how much it would be to Preseli. They agreed on £25 and Goldsworthy jumped into the taxi. He then allegedly took out a £5 note and some change and asked if he could go and collect the money from his house. Upon arriving at his house, he told Jones that he was going to open the iron steel gate to his house. However, he jumped over the gate and began running down the lane. Jones followed in his taxi and was met by Goldsworthy who began attacking Jones and proceeded to smash his rear window.”
Jones was called down to the witness stand where he was examined by both the prosecutor and Goldsworthy.
Jones tells the court that they agreed on an amount, and upon reaching the gate and seeing Goldsworthy’s behaviour sat in the minibus thinking what he was doing. He drove down the lane and was faced with Goldsworthy and his vulgar language: “You’re on private property. I’m not f***ing paying you.”
Goldsworthy then pushed Jones with two hands on his chest. Jones told the court: “He tried to hit me but no punches actually hit me. As soon as he pushed me I got into the car.”
Goldsworthy then took the stand and began to cross examine Jones: “Did you threaten me on the way? Did you not call me a gypsy and say that my son was a gypsy? You were threatening to beat me up, and when I got out of the taxi I told you that I didn’t want you to come down the lane. How did you enter the property? You forcefully entered through the steel gate which was off its hinges. Did you force your way into the property with aggression?”
Jones answered; “No, I wouldn’t call it aggression.”
Jones denied touching Goldsworthy and told the court: “I didn’t touch you. I couldn’t understand what you were doing and next minute you’re running for leather down the road.”
Goldsworthy asked Jones: “You pursued me and that is why I picked up a stone because you were driving at 50 miles an hour down the lane trying to mow me down. You never gave me a chance to pay.”
After a brief period of adjournment, the Magistrates returned they told the court that there was no case to answer, clearing Goldsworthy of the two charges.
The defendants other three charges were adjourned March 4 in order for the probation services to prepare a report, he was released on the condition that he fully comply with the probation service. These charges were damaging Stewart Jones’ vehicle, running away from another taxi without paying and assaulting another officer.
Charity
Childline delivers 548 counselling sessions to vulnerable children in Wales
HUNDREDS of children in Wales contacted Childline last year in severe emotional distress, with new figures showing the service delivered 548 counselling sessions to young people experiencing thoughts of self-harm or wanting to end their lives.
Data released by NSPCC shows its Childline teams supported children across Wales between April 2024 and March 2025 through confidential phone and online counselling.
Around one in five of those sessions involved youngsters considered to be at immediate risk, including children who had expressed plans to harm themselves or were already taking action.
The charity says the figures reveal the scale of hidden mental health struggles facing young people but also show that many are still willing to reach out for help.
Children contact Childline for a range of reasons, including feeling overwhelmed, dealing with anxiety or depression, family problems, bullying, or past trauma.
One 13-year-old girl from Wales told counsellors: “Lately my mental health has been at an all-time low. Suicidal thoughts have always been there in the back of my mind, but now they’re at the front. It feels like Childline is the only place that takes me seriously.”
Another young person described how intrusive thoughts could appear daily, even during moments when they seemed calm.
Across the UK, Childline delivered nearly 19,000 counselling sessions last year where thoughts of ending life or self-harm were the main concern.

Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “Behind every statistic is a young person in pain, often feeling alone.
“But these numbers also represent hope. For every one of these sessions there was a moment when a child chose to reach out rather than suffer in silence.
“Our message is simple: you are not alone. Whatever you’re going through, Childline is here to listen and help you find a way through.”
The figures have been released during Children’s Mental Health Week, with the charity urging parents, carers and schools to check in regularly with young people and take warning signs seriously.
Childline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or via online chat.

Health
£2m hospital upgrade to ease A&E pressure at Carmarthen site
MAJOR refurbishment work has begun at Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Glangwili Hospital after more than £2 million in funding was secured from the Welsh Government.
The £2.096m investment will be used to overhaul the hospital’s Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit, creating extra consultation rooms, a redesigned reception, and a more comfortable environment for both patients and staff.
Health chiefs say the expanded unit will help reduce pressure on the hospital’s busy Emergency Department by allowing more people to be treated quickly without needing an overnight stay.
The project forms part of wider efforts to improve urgent and emergency care across the health board’s sites, including the Minor Injury Unit at Prince Philip Hospital.
Keith Jones, Director of Operational Planning and Performance for the health board, said the funding would increase capacity and speed up patient flow.
He said: “This investment will help us reduce pressure on the Emergency Department and provide a smoother, swifter experience for patients. We’re grateful to Welsh Government for the support.”
Services temporarily relocated
While the work takes place, several services have moved elsewhere on the hospital site.
The SDEC unit, Discharge Lounge and Medical Day Unit have relocated to Y Lolfa, formerly Padarn Ward.
The Cancer Information and Support Service and Cancer Psychological Support Service have also moved, although contact details remain unchanged.
Some clinics, including podiatry, neuro-rehabilitation and occupational therapy, will stay at the Priory Day Hospital, but patients may need to use different access routes.
Patients are being notified through appointment letters, and extra signage will be in place around the hospital. Staff are urging visitors to check their letters carefully or contact departments directly if unsure where to attend.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said the upgrade would help tackle overcrowding and delays.
He said: “This investment will reduce waits, ease handover pressures and improve the overall experience for patients and staff when they need urgent or emergency care.”
Work is expected to continue over the coming months.
Crime
Stepdad denies murdering five-month-old baby as trial hears ‘shaking’ evidence
A WEST WALES man accused of murdering his partner’s five-month-old son has told a jury he “panicked” and shook the baby in an attempt to revive him.
Thomas Morgan denies killing Jensen-Lee Dougal, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries at the family home in Clydach in March 2024.
The child was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales but died the following day in his mother’s arms.
Morgan, of Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court charged with murder and three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies all charges.
Opening the defence case, the court heard Morgan claims the infant had been sick after feeding and was found choking and unresponsive when he returned with fresh clothes. He said he shook the baby, tapped his back and splashed water on him in an effort to get a reaction before seeking help from a neighbour. He told jurors he could not call an ambulance because his phone was faulty.
Asked in the witness box what he physically did, Morgan said: “I completely panicked. I shook him to get a reaction out of him.” He added he did not believe he used enough force to cause harm and said it was “absolutely not” his intention to hurt the child.
Prosecutors allege the injuries were inflicted deliberately.
The jury has heard detailed medical evidence describing bleeding and swelling to the brain, bleeding to the spine and eyes, bruising to the ears and chin, multiple rib fractures and fractures to the legs, elbow, spine and foot.
Doctors said some of the rib fractures showed healing, suggesting they occurred during two separate periods — between early January and early February, and again between mid-February and the end of March.
Consultant paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker told the court each set of injuries was rare in babies and strongly associated with non-accidental trauma. Considering the total pattern, she said they were “purposefully inflicted”, consistent with abusive head trauma such as violent shaking.
“These injuries do not occur in the course of normal handling of a baby,” she said.
She added the brain damage was so severe that Jensen-Lee would have lost consciousness and gone into cardiac arrest within minutes. An equivalent accidental force, the court heard, would be comparable to a high-speed road collision or a fall from a second-floor window.
The prosecution claims Morgan was “fired up with anger” following an earlier argument when the injuries were caused. Morgan denies losing his temper or assaulting the child.
The trial continues.
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