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Youngsters show the right spirit!

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the right spiritA UNIQUE scheme aimed at rewarding young people who take part in volunteering has been launched in Milford Haven.

‘MY Time’ is a volunteering incentive scheme aimed at 16-25 year olds and provides a voucher in return for 20 hours of volunteering.
The vouchers can be redeemed at businesses in the town that are signed up to the initiative.

The scheme is being funded by the Port of Milford Haven and coordinated by Milford Haven Youth Centre, which is run jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Youth Service and Milford Youth Matters.

Youth worker Nick Hudd, said: “The aim of the project is to develop citizenship skills, improve the community and give those who take part the opportunity to gain a range of transferable skills useful for employment. Whilst a range of volunteering opportunities already exist in the community, this venture aims to coordinate such programmes and increase the amount of young people taking part”.

The Port of Milford Haven is a Trust Port and is committed to reinvesting its profits to benefit the local community.

Corporate Affairs Director Mark Andrews has welcomed the new project, commenting:

“We hope this initiative will encourage young people in Milford Haven to consider giving some of their spare time to help others. We are also keen to support small businesses in the town and so are extremely pleased to be able to sign local companies up to the scheme”.

The initiative has been praised by Councillor David Pugh, Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism and Communities, who commented:

“This unique scheme is a ‘win-win’ initiative, which rewards both young people who help out in their community and also local businesses. Too often our young people get a bad press but the majority of them are enthusiastic, hard-working and just want to be given a chance. Under this scheme while young people invest their time in the community, the community in turn invests in its young people.”

To register with the scheme contact Nick Hudd at Milford Haven Youth Centre on 01646 697967 or [email protected]

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Crime

Pembrokeshire linked to major UK drug ring as fugitive jailed for 12 years

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A MAN who was one of the UK’s most wanted criminals has been sentenced to 12 years in prison at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (Feb 14), with links to drug supply chains reaching Pembrokeshire.

Calvin Parris, 34, from Cardiff, was the final member of an organised crime group (OCG) supplying drugs across Wales to be brought to justice after spending four years on the run.

It is believed that the group’s drugs made their way to smaller dealers and users across South and West Wales.

Parris was finally detained by Portuguese Judicial Police officers in the Algarve, Portugal, on October 3. Specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) escorted him back to the UK on October 15, 2024, where he was taken into custody by South Wales Police.

Duncan Burrage, NCA International Regional Manager, said: “After naming Calvin Parris as one of our most wanted fugitives, we were relentless in our efforts to track him down and return him to Wales to face justice.

“The jail term served to Parris today wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our Portuguese Judicial Police partners who located and arrested him in the Algarve last year.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to work closely with domestic and international law enforcement to ensure there is nowhere for UK fugitives to run and hide from justice.”

Detective Sergeant Ceri Young of South Wales Police added: “Parris was a member of an organised crime group involved in a complex conspiracy to traffic class A drugs into South Wales using encrypted communications devices on the ‘Encro Chat’ platform.

“Organised crime and drug trafficking have a significant detrimental impact on communities, and bringing offenders involved in this level of criminality to justice is a priority for South Wales Police.”

Drug trafficking network uncovered

The scale of the operation was exposed when Albanian national Lenci Gashi was stopped on May 27, 2020, while driving a Citroen Berlingo on the M4 towards South Wales. His van was found to contain 15kg of pressed cocaine, destined for members of the OCG.

On June 16, 2020, Michael Laverick, identified as the head of the South Wales-based OCG, was arrested. Investigations revealed that between March 31 and May 27, 2020, the group took possession of 35kg of cocaine and paid £696,000 to upstream suppliers through a complex network of trusted criminal associates, safe locations, and couriers.

Laverick was supported by his second-in-command, Asim Naveed, who was responsible for the onward distribution of cocaine. Danny Attard played a key role in storing drug consignments at safe locations in Cardiff before their distribution.

Parris and Damian Farrugia, both of Cardiff, were identified as regular customers purchasing wholesale amounts of cocaine. Parris and Farrugia each received 7kg of cocaine, while Amir Khan was found to have received 6.5kg.

South Wales Police executed multiple search warrants across the region, leading to arrests and the recovery of cash, communication devices, and high-value goods, demonstrating the financial gains of the OCG.

Parris and Naveed fled the UK but were eventually tracked down in Portugal with the help of the National Crime Agency.

Sentences handed down to members of the OCG

  • Amir Khan – 20 years 7 months
  • Michael Laverick – 18 years
  • Danny Attard – 14 years
  • Damian Farrugia – 13 years
  • Lenci Gashi – 11 years 4 months
  • Asim Naveed – 10 years 8 months

Authorities believe their drug operation reached deep into communities across South and West Wales, including Pembrokeshire, further highlighting the devastating impact of organised crime on local areas.

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Education

Apprenticeship Week Wales: Free advice for people in Pembrokeshire

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AS APPRENTICESHIP WEEK WALES unfolds, Careers Wales is highlighting the support available to help people explore the different opportunities available to them. 

Apprenticeships are one of many routes individuals can take to develop skills, gain qualifications, and build experience in the workplace.

They offer people of all ages the chance to earn while they learn, gaining recognised qualifications and valuable hands-on experience.

Mature adult and young adult recycling coworkers wearing orange reflective vests standing in warehouse and discussing over clipboard.

In 2022-23, Wales saw significant engagement in apprenticeship programmes. Data gathered from the Medr Apprenticeship Learning Dashboard

shows that during that year, 22,880 apprenticeship learning programmes were started in Wales.  This was an increase of 14% from the previous year (202122).*

25% of these were in South West Wales, with 5,650  apprenticeships started. 1,045 people took up apprenticeships during the year in Pembrokeshire alone.

With opportunities in 23 diverse sectors, from creative industries to green skills, there’s something for everyone. The top 5 apprenticeship learning programmes in 2022/23 in Wales were:

  1. Healthcare and Public Services
  2. Management and Professional
  3. Construction
  4. Business Administration
  5. Engineering*

Apprenticeships are not only suitable for young people. Over 70% of apprenticeships taken up in Wales in 2022-23 were by people over 19 years old. Over 4,500 (or 20%) of apprenticeships that started in 2022-23 were taken up by people aged 40 and over.*

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of Careers Wales said: “Apprenticeship Week Wales is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate apprenticeships, and the value they bring to learners, employers, and the wider Welsh economy.

“Apprenticeships provide a pathway for people to gain qualifications while working and earning a wage, and can be a valuable route for those looking to develop their skills.

“Our careers advisers can provide tailored support for people of all ages with exploring apprenticeships, as well as the full range of alternative options available to them.”

For those interested in exploring apprenticeship opportunities in Wales, resources are available, including the apprenticeship finder on the Careers Wales website, to assist in finding and applying for positions.

You can read more about the free services provided by Careers Wales and Working Wales, call 0800 028 4844 or email [email protected].

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Crime

Driver jailed after crashing into house and fleeing scene

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A PEMBROKESHIRE man who crashed into a house after destroying a garden wall before fleeing the scene has been jailed.

Oliver Torkington, 39, from Tenby, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on January 22, where he pleaded guilty to multiple motoring offences, including careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, and driving without insurance.

The court heard that on July 14, 2024, Torkington was driving a Seat Leon on the A470 at Talerddig, Powys, when he failed to negotiate a right-hand bend. His vehicle ploughed through a stone garden wall before colliding with the corner of a house, causing significant structural damage. The impact resulted in cracks extending from the exterior walls into the interior of the property, leaving the homeowner with extensive repair costs and safety concerns.

Rather than stopping to assess the damage or exchange details, Torkington drove away from the scene. He also failed to report the accident to the police within the required 24-hour period. Investigators later traced the vehicle back to him, leading to his arrest.

During sentencing, the court was told that Torkington was uninsured at the time of the crash.

Magistrates handed him a nine-week custodial sentence, citing the seriousness of his offences and his disregard for the law. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to pay £110 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

He also had 10 points added to his driving licence, which will significantly impact his ability to drive legally upon release.

Torkington, who is currently serving a separate sentence at HMP Parc for a violent assault, was also warned about the potential consequences of further driving offences upon his release.

Approximately four months ago, he was convicted of a serious attack against his former partner in St Clears. During the assault, he punched, strangled, and stamped on the woman in a fit of jealous rage after seeing her speaking to a doorman during a night out. The victim suffered a broken finger and continues to experience ringing in her ear as a lasting impact from the attack. During sentencing for that offence, the judge criticised his behaviour, describing it as immature and reckless.

Magistrates stressed the importance of road safety and accountability, particularly in cases involving dangerous driving and damage to property.

The case highlights the severe penalties for drivers who fail to take responsibility for their actions on the road and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of driving with care and proper insurance.

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