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.
A LONG-STANDING Pembrokeshire domestic violence offender has been sent back to prison after breaching a domestic violence protection order.
Paul Webber was arrested on March 18 after being seen kissing his victim outside probation offices in Haverfordwest, despite a court order preventing contact.
A court order imposed by Llanelli magistrates earlier this month prevented him from making any contact with the female after being convicted of threatening to kill her, strangle her, and sexually assault her.
“On March 12, a report was made to police that he’d attended a probation appointment with the female, who remained standing outside the offices,” a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“Police officers viewed the CCTV footage and recognised the female as the victim.
“This was clearly a breach of the domestic violence protection order towards a vulnerable woman, and there’s also concern that she minimises incidents. He’s known as a domestic violence instigator with previous partners.”
Webber, of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to breaching the domestic violence protection order.
He was sentenced to 28 days in custody.
“You were aware of the terms of the order but you deliberately breached it,” said the presiding magistrate when passing sentence.
“You showed a complete disregard for it.”
A WARRANT without bail has been issued for a Milford Haven man accused of stealing a charity box from the Castle Hotel in Haverfordwest.
Daniel Fairlie, 29, of Observatory Avenue, Milford Haven, was listed to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, March 18. However, after failing to attend, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.
Fairlie is accused of stealing the charity box on November 23, 2024, along with multiple shoplifting offences and drug possession.
A BAIL breacher has been remanded in custody after traveling to and from Ireland on the Pembroke Dock ferry with a victim he was prohibited from seeing.
Robson Franca, 38, was arrested by port officers after being seen in the presence of the complainant when the Rosslare ferry recently docked in Pembroke Dock.
This week, Haverfordwest magistrates were told that a domestic violence court order imposed by Avon and Somerset magistrates prohibited Franca from having any contact with the complainant pending his trial on May 16.
Franca’s solicitor, Peter Tarr, told the court that the complainant frequently contacts Franca and makes threats if he refuses to see her.
Despite the defense’s arguments, magistrates refused to grant bail, citing concerns that Franca might commit further offences, fail to surrender, or interfere with prosecution witnesses. He was remanded in custody.
Government’s £5bn benefits crackdown: What It means for Pembrokeshire
New reforms could hit disability claimants hardest THE UK GOVERNMENT has unveiled a major reform of the welfare system, aiming...
Police confirm tragic death of teenage girl in Burton
EMERGENCY services responded to a medical emergency at a property in Burton on Saturday (Mar 15). Dyfed-Powys Police say they...
Much-loved radio DJ and entertainer Matt Baker passes away
TRIBUTES have poured in following the sudden passing of Matt Baker, a well-loved radio DJ, entertainer, and former pub landlord,...
Pembrokeshire households could benefit from new energy infrastructure
HOUSEHOLDS in Pembrokeshire and other areas near new or upgraded electricity pylons are set to receive bill discounts of up...
Pembrokeshire MS calls for reversal of ‘family farm’ and ‘jobs’ taxes
THE UK’S economy experienced an unexpected contraction of 0.1% in January 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS),...
England thrash Wales with 10-try rout but miss out on Six Nations title
Wales 14-68 England Youngster Henry Pollock shines with two debut tries in Cardiff drubbing ENGLAND delivered their most dominant performance...
Wales v England: A battle for pride and the title
TODAY the Six Nations reaches its climax – it’s Super Saturday, Wales and England prepare for a clash in Cardiff...
Child sexual crime in Pembrokeshire: Perception vs. reality
IN RECENT years, concerns have grown among Pembrokeshire residents regarding the perceived high number of child sexual offences in the...
Software engineer collided with bus near Cleddau Bridge deliberately
A TRAGIC collision near the Cleddau Bridge claimed the life of a Pembrokeshire software engineer, an inquest has heard. Matthew...
Local Authority is ‘hoarding cash’ as Council Tax rises by 9.35%, says MS
DEMANDS FOR REFORM AS COUNCIL’S £83 MILLION RESERVES REVEALED PEMBROKESHIRE residents are bracing for a 9.35% council tax rise, despite...
-
News2 days agoCampaigners urge Welsh Government to end animal testing
-
Education2 days agoFormer Ysgol y Preseli headmaster passes following battle with cancer
-
Crime6 days agoCalls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales
-
Community2 days ago
Much-loved radio DJ and entertainer Matt Baker passes away
-
News5 days agoDelays to Wales’ tribunal system ‘deeply troubling’
-
Business7 days agoAuditor general criticises ‘irregular’ Industry Wales accounts
-
Top News6 days agoHaverfordwest man accused of repeated assaults on partner to face Crown Court trial
-
News19 hours ago
Police confirm tragic death of teenage girl in Burton
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!!