News
Pennar: Woman fiddled £27k in benefits by pretending her husband had left her
A PENNAR woman fiddled more than £27,000 in benefits by pretending her husband had left her, a judge was told on Friday (May 22).
Paula Mary Pearce, aged 44, had supposed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions id her financial situation changed.
But she failed to notify them that her husband, Martyn Tegerdine, had moved back in and was helping to pay household bills.
Pearce, of 9 River View, Stranraer Road, admitted benefit fraud between 2011 and 2014 and wrongly receiving income support, housing benefit and council tax relief.
She was sentenced to 27 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Swansea Crown Court heard the overpayments were being recouped out of the benefits she currently received.
Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said the DWP became aware the Mr Tegerdine was working for Balfour Beatty and had registered his address as the same as Pearce’s.
His bank account was also registered at the same address and the tv licence was in his name.
During an interview with DWP officers Pearce denied he had moved back in but admitted he had stayed for a while when she had been unwell.
Her barrister, Carina Hughes, said the couple had separated many years ago but had not got divorced.
Judge Huw Davies said he had to reflect the public’s view of benefits fraud by passing a custodial sentence, albeit a suspended one.
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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Welshman23
May 23, 2015 at 7:53 am
at the same court this week a guy converted his car to a police car with a blue light and was sentenced to 2 years in jail. Justice system needs an overhaul. If you fiddle money should be. Custodial sentence and you pay the money back every single penny.
MakingSense
May 26, 2015 at 1:38 pm
The guy didn’t get 2 years in jail just for putting a light on top of his car, there was far more to it than that
MakingSense
May 26, 2015 at 1:39 pm
but you are right, far too many cases like this fraudster get away with a slap on the wrist
Isitanywonder
May 26, 2015 at 3:07 pm
The poorest in society lie and cheat to get money and they are prosecuted, given criminal records (thereby lessening their chance of getting decent paid work) and the people are braying for blood.
When the rich do it, they are given bonus’ worth 150% of their already over-inflated incomes.
I don’t agree with what she did, she needs to sort her life out, but I sincerely wish the people of this country would stop blaming the poor for the state this country is in. The profit-greedy bankers have f**ked us, not the people who already have nothing!!