Walters fined and ordered to complete rehabilitation programme after admitting breach of court-imposed restrictions

A NARBERTH man has been handed a community order after admitting breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

John Walters, aged 61, Townmoor, Narberth, appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Tuesday (Feb 4).

The court heard that between December 5 and December 7, 2025, Walters breached the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which had been imposed by Swansea Crown Court in June 2022.

Walters indicated a guilty plea at an earlier hearing.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until August 3, 2027. As part of the sentence, he must complete the Building Choices Programme, consisting of 21 sessions, and comply with up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity at the direction of a responsible officer.

The court also fined him £200, stating the penalty was set as a punitive element.

Walters was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. A collection order was made for the money to be deducted from benefits at a rate of £20 per month.

Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are designed to restrict behaviour and protect the public. Breaching the terms of such an order is a criminal offence and can lead to further penalties, including imprisonment.

Welsh campaigners say new law could free dozens from inappropriate units and save up to £14m a year

THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY CYMRU is urging the next Welsh Government to introduce an Autism and Learning Disability Bill to prevent autistic people being unnecessarily detained in mental health hospitals, warning the current system is both harmful and costly.

Around 140 autistic people and people with a learning disability from Wales are currently being held in mental health units, despite campaigners saying such settings are unsuitable for most.

Families and advocates report repeated concerns including abuse, overmedication, excessive restraint and solitary confinement.

The charity says many people remain detained for years rather than months, with the average stay approaching five years. Placements are often far from home, leaving relatives facing long journeys to visit loved ones and making it harder to maintain family support.

Campaigners argue that failures in existing laws and weak duties on public bodies mean families struggle to challenge decisions or secure appropriate community care.

Community care cheaper

The organisation says keeping people in hospital is also significantly more expensive than supporting them locally.

Community support can cost from around £13,000 a year for those living with friends or family, rising to about £80,000 for supported accommodation. By contrast, the average inpatient placement costs about £214,000 per person each year.

Even the most intensive community packages are estimated to be between £130,000 and £200,000 cheaper annually than hospital care.

If the number of people in hospital units were halved, the charity says Wales could save between £9 million and £14 million a year.

However, it argues those savings will not be realised without new legislation to reform how services are planned and delivered.

‘Stolen lives’

Through its Stolen Lives campaign, families have shared accounts of relatives who they believe could have remained in the community with the right support, but were instead sectioned when local services broke down.

The charity says hospital should be a last resort, not the default when care systems fail.

It is calling for a dedicated Autism and Learning Disability Act that would:

– strengthen legal rights to support
– improve coordination between services
– increase accountability when systems fail

James Radcliffe, External Affairs Manager for the charity in Wales, said: “The next Welsh government has the opportunity to end the unnecessary detention of autistic people. Currently existing laws are failing to protect autistic people.

“Families are unable to challenge services to allow them to bring their loved ones home.

“An Autism and Learning Disability Bill could end this injustice and end this human rights failure. It would strengthen the protections and rights for autistic people and people with a learning disability and it would also save the taxpayer millions.”

Annual memorial service at Milford Haven Cemetery to remember those who never returned home

A MEMORIAL service will be held at Milford Haven Cemetery to honour local fishermen who lost their lives at sea on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Organised by Milford Haven Town Council, the annual gathering gives families, friends and residents the opportunity to come together in quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made their living on the water but never returned home.

The service will start at 11am and will be officiated by Rev Dr Adrian Furse SSC.

Milford Haven has long been shaped by its fishing and maritime industries, with generations of local families connected to the sea. While the harbour has provided work and prosperity, it has also brought tragedy, with storms and accidents claiming lives over the years.

The service will include prayers, readings and the laying of wreaths, creating a moment for the community to pause and acknowledge the sacrifices made by fishermen past and present.

Town councillors say the event is always a moving occasion and are encouraging anyone with links to the fishing community, as well as members of the wider public, to attend and show their support.

The aim, they say, is to ensure those who were lost are never forgotten and that their contribution to the town’s heritage continues to be recognised.

Residents wishing to attend or find out more can contact Milford Haven Town Council on 01646 692505 or visit www.milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales.