News

The long-term challenge facing Newgale

Published

11 years ago

April 5, 2015

PM visit: David Cameron visited Newgale last year

DURING the severe storms early last year, the A487 at Newgale was closed for several days when shingle was washed onto the road.

A recent report commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council concluded that the shingle bank will become increasing unstable and vulnerable to failure, with a timescale of 10-20 years over which the current situation may become unsustainable.

The Council therefore instigated a public meeting to discuss the future of the shingle bank at Newgale, which was held at Solva Memorial Hall on February 18. This discussed the stability of the shingle bank and the consequences of any future failure and feedback was welcomed from the public.

A substantial amount of feedback has already been received, and the Council intends to summarise this and provide a public report on this reaction to date.

Head of Highways & Construction at the Council commented: “We have received a huge amount of constructive feedback in response to this initial invite for opinions as to the way forward at Newgale, and thank the public for their widespread and informative comments”.

“The feedback includes comment on the importance of tourism as a key industry in Pembrokeshire and that the road through Newgale is an important link to the St David’s Peninsular, providing one of the iconic viewpoints of the Pembrokeshire coastline”.

“As a response to a number of concerns, it is stressed the Council is not abandoning Newgale. The current shoreline policy identified for Newgale is one of Managed Realignment. This means that Pembrokeshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales, as the risk management authorities for coastal flood and erosion, will implement a managed way forward to minimise, as far as is possible, the impacts of change on the locality.”.

In order to manage any change, the Council will need to appraise all the possible options from retention of the status quo, to the provision of a new road. Funding will also need to be secured, all the requisite statutory consents obtained, and eventually any scheme procured and constructed.

The Cabinet Spokesperson for Environmental and Regulatory Services and the Welsh Language, Cllr Huw George, noted: “Ongoing consultation will be a vital and important strand running through all this work”.

The Council have also had preliminary discussion with National Resources Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Coastal flooding or fluvial flooding from a main river such as the Brandy Brook is the responsibility of Natural Resources Wales and so any scheme that affects the Brook will need to be undertaken in partnership with them. Mr. Phillip Pickersgill, the Acting Head of Operations South west Wales, commented:-

newgale “The storms last year highlighted the risks to our coastline and the communities that live there. Indications are that climate change will increase these risks and we need to understand and manage them appropriately. We welcome the opportunity to work with Pembrokeshire County Council in helping communities and the environment adapt to this risk.”

Mr. Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, commented on the actions being taken: “The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority welcomes the proactive lead being taken by Pembrokeshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales to properly consider and address the changing coastline at Newgale”.

“All relevant organisations need to work with local communities to ensure a long-term sustainable solution that takes account of the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Newgale and the St David’s Peninsula.”

Stephen Crabb MP said: “There is clearly a long-term challenge facing Newgale and the St Davids Peninsula, and there will be some major engineering challenges whatever option is chosen. However, with all the relevant agencies working together there should be no need for knee-jerk responses. We have time to come up with a solution which protects businesses and communities in Newgale and the Peninsula.”

“It was a postive step forward to bring together the Council, Natural Resources Wales and the National Park on Friday to discuss what will happen next. I emphasised the need to involve the local community at every step of the process, to ensure that a solution is reached that protects the village and allows business and tourism to thrive in North Pembrokeshire. It’s also vital that the spectacular view of Newgale beach is protected.”

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

8 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

8 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

14 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.