Tenby: Company director jailed for drunken assault on paramedic

Published

11 years ago

May 11, 2015

DRUNKEN company director from London who assaulted and abused the female paramedic who tried to help him when he passed out after a stag night has been jailed for 15 months.

Samantha Dalton, 36, was trying to assist 33-year-old James Richardson when she found him face down and unresponsive after a stag do in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

The paramedic and her colleagues had physically carried him to the ambulance and taken him to Withybush General Hospital before he lashed out.

Richardson then grabbed shocked Mrs Dalton by the arm and told her: ‘I want to ram my c*** up your punani,’ the Old Bailey heard.

Company director James Richardson, at the Old Bailey.

Mrs Dalton, who has worked for the Welsh Ambulance Service for 13 years, said it was the most ‘horrible and disgusting’ experience in her time as a paramedic.

Richardson, who ran a family firm providing building maintenance for estate agents, was spared jail in 2013 for glassing a senior sales negotiator in a Chelsea nightclub.

He launched the unprovoked attack on 37-year-old Edward Peers during an after-work drink on King’s Road leaving his victim with 22 stitches.

But Judge Rebecca Poulet, QC, activated 15 months of a 20-month suspended sentence after Richardson pleaded guilty to a public order offence and common assault.

‘She had carried you to the ambulance and in return she and the others were kicked at and embarrassed by you,’ she told bespectacled Richardson.

‘Mrs Dalton was shocked, dismayed and disgusted. It was the worst conduct she had ever experienced working as a paramedic for 13 years.’

Prosecutor Catherine Picardo said Richardson had been drinking at a stag party on the night of 14 June 2014.

Mrs Dalton was in the middle of a 12-hour night shift when she was called out to his friend’s address in the early hours of the morning.

‘The defendant was heavily intoxicated and had fallen flat on his face and appeared to be bleeding from the nose,’ the prosecutor said.

‘Mrs Dalton and her colleagues placed him in the ambulance with some difficulty, he was incoherent and was combative.’

Ricardson was taken to hospital and put on a trolley where he urinated despite being offered a receptacle to use.

‘He was struggling to get up off the trolley and the medical team were trying to take blood, but that was proving to be very difficult,’ Ms Picardo continued.

‘He was extremely aggressive and said “get away from me you f***ers”.’

Richardson then grabbed Mrs Dalton by the wrist causing her pain and reddening and launched a torrent of abuse described by his victim as ‘disgusting’.

He said ‘I want to f*** you’, ‘I want to explore you’, ‘I want to get my c*** up you’ and ‘I want to ram my c*** in your punani’.

Richardson also kicked out at her in an attempt to get her away from the trolley.

‘When officers arrived the defendant was still aggressive and swore at the police as well,’ the prosecutor added.

He later made full and frank admissions to police and apologised for his ‘disgusting’ behaviour.

Richardson, of Capital House, Michael Road, Fulham, southwest London, admitted a public order offence and common assault.

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

1 hour ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.