News

Credit union’s shock closure

Published

11 years ago

March 20, 2015

THE CLOSURE of the Haven Credit Union on Tuesday March 3, is a severe blow to those who depended upon its services whether as investors or borrowers. A statement by Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ted Sangster, disclosed that the credit union has been seeking a partner with which to merge for the last twelve months. Those efforts to preserve the union in some form have, however, come to nothing. Savings with the credit union are protected and it is anticipated that savers will have their money returned to them, in full, in around a fortnight’s time. Mr Sangster’s told The Herald: “As our statement reads, we have taken this decision only after long and serious consideration of the alternatives. The rules on Credit Union reserves have recently changed. That was not a determining factor in our decision, but it was something we took on board.” Mr Sangster continued: “We explored the possibility for merging with another credit union, but we were unable to reach an agreement. The board therefore took a principled decision. We could have carried on for another three to six months and then had the regulator step in.

That would have created uncertainty for our members and it the board decided not to let that happen. The board decided that it was better to arrange matters so that our members could be dealt with in a fair and orderly way. It was a painful decision, but it was the right one.”

After extending his thanks to the statutory bodies which have assisted the credit union, Mr Sangster paid tribute to the union’s volunteers and staff: “The board wishes to thank all those staff and volunteers who have worked on behalf of the credit union to provide this much valued service to the people of Pembrokeshire over the past 22 years. Many people have been helped and supported by their unstinting work for which again, our heartfelt thanks.”

Paul Brindley the appointed administrator said: “It’s a real disappointment that Haven Credit Union should be forced to close as there is a very real and necessary demand for their services. Members can be assured that their savings are safe. They will be paid back in full within the next two weeks.”

A spokesperson from Pembrokeshire County Council said: “We are disappointed to learn of the closure of the Haven Credit Union (HCU) but respect the board’s decision to discontinue the business. HCU was a professionally-run organisation offering a valuable service to the local community.”

They continued: “The council has been pleased to be associated with HCU over the years and has offered support wherever possible. This has included facilitating payroll deductions for council employees who were customers of HCU.”

The spokesperson added: “Over the past several months, the council has been supporting HCU to mediate a merger with other credit unions but unfortunately this has not proved possible.”

What is a credit union?

Credit unions are member-owned financial cooperatives operated for the purpose of promoting thrift, providing credit and other financial services to their members.

Credit unions in the UK now offer a wide range of services to their members; including current accounts, payroll deductions, standing orders and insurance. The UK Government has endeavoured to encourage the expansion of credit unions’ operations in order to stop people relying on high-interest door-step loans and loan sharks. A few credit unions now offer services more akin to a mainstream bank (such as the provision of ATM cards).

In 2013 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, launched a Church of England plan to support credit unions, to combat the rise of UK payday lenders charging extremely high interest rates.

Despite the moves to encourage people to use credit unions, the number of credit unions has tumbled over the last ten years. In 2004 there were 565 credit unions in the UK. Following the closure of the Haven Credit Union, there are around 370.

There remain two credit unions operating in Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Credit Union, in Fishguard and the Save Easy Credit Union in High Street, Haverfordwest.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

13 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

13 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

19 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.