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Independent journeys course praised

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Taskers: Road safety

Taskers: Road safety

A NEW road safety course has been introduced teaching Year 7 pupils in Pembrokeshire how to be careful when travelling locally by themselves.

The programme – entitled ‘Independent Journeys’ – has been written specifically for local children by Pembrokeshire County Council’s road safety team.

To date, it has been delivered in three secondary schools – Tasker Milward, Sir Thomas Picton, and Pembroke – and it will be run at Milford Haven School in May.

Sally Jones, Child Pedestrian Coordinator, delivers the course. “The aim is to increase awareness and understanding of road safety among children aged 11 and 12,” she said.

“In many cases, these children are starting to make independent journeys for the first time. We look at lots of different scenarios like going to school, into town, or out with friends, and how they can plan a safe journey – whether it’s by bus, car, bike or by foot.”

The children discuss ways to improve their safety like planning their route, knowing their timings, and being aware of where pedestrian crossings are.

They talk about factors which could be helpful, like taking their phone with them, telling people where they are, and wearing suitable gear if visibility is an issue.

Sally said they also discuss potential dangers and risky behaviour like listening to music on headphones, being on the mobile, or playing by the road.

“We also talk about peer pressure – what it is, how someone can facilitate this, how to resist it, and giving children ways to deal with it,” she said.

“It’s about considering all these different factors before they set off on a journey by themselves.”

Lauren Davies, Head of Year 7 at Tasker Milward School, said the course had some very valuable messages for pupils.

“The safety of our pupils travelling to and from school is of paramount importance to us, and we welcomed this opportunity to provide them with some road safety advice specific to their age group,” she said.

“As well as taking on board the advice given, we hope these pupils will also provide role models to younger pupils starting in September.”

Isabel Winstone, a pupil at Tasker Milward, said: “It made us think about the dangers on busy roads and how we need to try and be safe when we’re near them.”

Fellow pupil Amber McFadden added that the course had made them think about many different issues to do with road safety.

“It teaches you a lot about the world around you, and how you need to keep your eyes open and be looking around for anything that might be a problem,” she said.

Cllr Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Transportation, said he was pleased that the new course had been introduced. “We have a range of different road safety interventions, including Kerbcraft – which is taught to all primary school children from the age of five – and Crucial Crew, which delivers safety messages to all pupils in Year 6,” he said. “The new ‘Independent Journeys’ programme is an important addition.”

Taskers: Road safety

Taskers: Road safety

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Crime

Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub

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Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an incident reported at Sands Nightclub in Saundersfoot in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).

An 18-year-old man was arrested after officers were called to the venue, which is a popular late-night spot in the seaside village. The allegation relates to events said to have taken place during the early hours of the morning.

Joshua Probert, aged 18, has since been charged with one count of rape. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 18).

The complainant is entitled to lifelong anonymity under law, and no further details about the allegation can be reported at this stage.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. Officers are understood to have carried out initial investigative work shortly after the report was made, including speaking to witnesses.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

  • Anyone affected by sexual assault or rape can contact the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line, run by Rape Crisis England & Wales, on 0808 500 2222. Calls are free and confidential.
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Local Government

Mayor visits Milford Haven Library Christmas event

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THE MAYOR of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott, paid a visit to Milford Haven Library on Tuesday morning to attend its festive Mince Pie and a Cuppa event.

The event brought together library staff and local residents, with the Mayor thanking staff for their work supporting the community throughout the year. During the visit, Cllr Elliott also spent time speaking with residents who had come along to the event or were visiting the library to borrow books.

Milford Haven Library is part of the Pembrokeshire Libraries service, which provides access to books, information, and community activities across the county.

The Mayor wished residents a Merry Christmas at the close of his visit.

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Crime

Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers

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A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been jailed for three years and six months.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced on Wednesday (Dec 16) at Swansea Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Campbell had been in a relationship with his partner, Miss Cox, for six years. On the night of the offence, he returned home highly intoxicated and became argumentative.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court, with the judge describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

Prosecutor Rieve Nesbitt-Marr told the court that Miss Cox advised Campbell to go upstairs and sleep off the alcohol. Instead, he began poking her and told her not to tell him what to do.

Campbell then launched what Miss Cox described as “a flurry of punches that rained down on her.”

Neighbours contacted police after hearing the disturbance. When officers arrived, they found a smashed bowl on the floor and Miss Cox lying on the sofa under a blanket, covering her face.

Body-worn camera footage played in court showed Campbell threatening officers, telling them: “I will turn this place into a f***ing murder scene.”

As officers attempted to separate the parties, PC Thomas placed her arm out to create distance. Campbell grabbed her wrist with force, an assault captured on body-worn video.

He then attacked PC Jones, climbing on top of him and punching him repeatedly, again recorded on police body-worn footage.

PC Thomas later attended Withybush Hospital, where she received four stitches under local anaesthetic. Miss Cox suffered severe facial bruising, with one eye swollen almost shut.

The court was told that Miss Cox’s ten-year-old daughter was upstairs at the property during the incident.

Campbell has 27 previous offences. In mitigation, the court heard that he accepted alcohol turned him into a different person, telling the court: “I’m an ugly person when I drink. I’m a different person when I’m sober.”

Sentencing Campbell, the judge said he knew better than anyone how alcohol affected him.

“You came home in a bad mood and almost predictively, you assaulted her,” the judge said.
“The noise and aggression was such that the neighbour called the police.”
“You gave her a bruise on her face that can only be described as a large shiner.”
“In short, you have injured three people. Your conduct was utterly pathetic, like an overgrown child.”

The judge also referred to Campbell’s violent history, describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

While acknowledging that Campbell had previously complied well with a suspended sentence after removing his own alcohol tag, the judge said custody was unavoidable.

Campbell was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.

Warning him about his future, the judge added: “If you carry on with this behaviour you will spend a lifetime in prison. The only person who can change this is you.”

The court also granted a restraining order for five years.

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