News
Milford Haven: Suspended sentence for Hakin player
A LOCAL footballer who plays for Hakin United narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting a rival
player. The incident took place during a Senior Cup match last year.
Gareth Fawcett, 25, of Priory Ville, Milford Haven admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Merlins Bridge striker Scott Crawford during a bad tempered cup clash at Hakin on Saturday October 11, 2014.
The court heard that Mr Crawford suffered multiple cheekbone fractures in the assault and was treated Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
Referee Kevin Bowen stopped the match after just 23 minutes saying he feared for players’ safety.
Mark Layton, defending, told the court that a bad tackle had resulted in a confrontation at a Hakin Utd V. Merlin’s Bridge football game. Fawcett claims that he was pushed by the complainant, while the complainant said that he was flailing his arms. There had been a bit of a scene, and they were told to calm down. Afterwards, Fawcett went up to the complainant and punched him. This resulted in a broken cheekbone, which resulted in surgery to correct the displacement. The complainant has now recovered from his injuries, which also included a black eye, and is due to play against Hakin AFC on Saturday.
Ellie Morgan, prosecuting, added that there had been several fractures to the complainant’s face and said that he had been unable to work for some time. She invited the Magistrates to decline jurisdiction, which they did not.
Probation officer, Mrs. Norman said that it had been an unpleasant incident, but there had not been a history between the two beforehand. She suggested that compensation and a high level of unpaid work hours should be ordered.
Magistrates said that this was a very serious incident and had no choice but to sentence the defendant to six months imprisonment. This sentence was suspended for two years. Magistrates ordered 250 hours of unpaid work, £2000 in compensation and £85.80 in court costs.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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