News
Milford Haven: Gareth Mann ‘deserves every day of his jail term’ says top judge


High Court on the Strand, London.
A PEMBROKESHIRE man caught red-handed as he threw cocaine out of his house during a police raid has been told by top judges he deserves every day of his jail term.
Gareth James Mann then tried to pay someone to take the rap for him after being arrested.
The 39-year-old, of Charles Street, Milford Haven, was caged at Swansea Crown Court on November 28 last year.
He admitted possession of cocaine and supplying the drug to his co-defendant David John Phillips, as well as cannabis possession and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Officers were preparing to search Mann’s property on April 4 last year, when they noticed Phillips arrive and then leave again soon after.
They searched Phillips and found nine grams of cocaine, Mr Justice Sweeney told London’s Appeal Court.

Refused appeal: Mr Justice Sweeney
Mann then threw a bag containing 13 grams of the class A drug into the street.
When they searched his house, police found 10 grams of cannabis, as well as scales and plastic bags used for preparing drug deals.
While in custody on remand, Mann wrote to a friend and offered money to anyone who would be prepared to take responsibility for the cocaine found in the street.
The letter was discovered by officers during a search of the friend’s house, but the friend had taken no action after receiving it.
Phillips, of Trafalgar Road, Milford Haven, admitted having the small amount of cocaine found on him and was given a community order.
Mann had ‘numerous’ previous convictions and was jailed for four years in 2011 for possessing a ‘substantial quantity’ of cocaine with intent to supply.
His barrister, Tom Scapens, said the crown court judge didn’t take enough account of his admissions of guilt or his ‘lesser role’ in the wider drugs operation.
But, dismissing his appeal, Mr Justice Sweeney said there was ‘no merit’ in the arguments.
Sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Picken, he added: “It seems to us that with all the knowledge before him the judge was clearly entitled to reach the conclusion he did as to the gravity of Mann’s drug offending.”
“Given Mann’s record, the amount of drugs involved and the gravity of the perverting offence it seems to us that the overall sentence was wholly within the appropriate range.”
News
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), raising concerns about the nation’s economic trajectory. This downturn has intensified debates over current fiscal policies, particularly those affecting rural communities and employment.
Samuel Kurtz, Member of the Senedd (MS) for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy, has been vocal in his criticism of the Labour government’s recent tax policies. He argues that these measures, notably the so-called ‘family farm tax’ and ‘jobs tax’, are detrimental to economic growth and the livelihoods of people in Wales.
The ‘family farm tax’ refers to proposed changes in inheritance tax, imposing a 20% levy on agricultural assets exceeding £1 million, set to take effect from April 2026. Critics, including NFU Cymru President Aled Jones, warn that this tax could encompass the majority of Wales’ working family farms, potentially leading to financial burdens that threaten their sustainability.
In addition, the ‘jobs tax’ pertains to increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions, a move that has faced opposition from business leaders concerned about its impact on employment and economic recovery.
Kurtz emphasizes the urgency for the Chancellor to reconsider these policies in the forthcoming budget, aiming to restore business confidence and support key sectors of the economy.
He told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “The ONS figures confirm a decline in growth, further proof of the damage caused by Labour’s Budget last autumn.
“Labour pledged to deliver the fastest-growing economy in the G7, yet business confidence has plummeted, living standards are in decline, and jobs are being lost.
“With just 12 days until the emergency Budget, the Chancellor must reverse her damaging policies including Labour’s jobs tax and family farm tax and do whatever it takes to restore business confidence.”
The economic contraction in January underscores the challenges facing the UK government as it seeks to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to foster growth and stability, particularly in sectors vital to Wales’ economy.
Crime
Probation Service plan could see underqualified staff dealing with sex offenders

PLANS to shift the supervision of sex offenders and domestic abusers in England and Wales to less-qualified probation staff have raised alarm among experts, with warnings that public safety could be at risk.
Under the proposals, set to be implemented in June, behaviour programmes for offenders will be delivered by “band 3” staff—who are not fully qualified probation officers—rather than “band 4” officers with extensive experience handling serious cases, including those involving rapists and paedophiles, and violent partners.
The move is part of wider changes in the probation system, which will also see the number of low- and medium-risk offenders required to complete twice-weekly rehabilitation courses reduced. Instead, probation officers will be expected to manage these offenders using “toolkits” in weekly meetings, rather than putting them through structured rehabilitation courses.
Some intervention programmes for sex offenders, including Horizon, Kaizen, and iHorizon, will also be scrapped in favour of a new single scheme called Building Choices.
Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, has urged the government to closely monitor the new programmes to ensure they are effective and do not compromise public safety.
“HM Prison and Probation Service needs to be certain that these programmes are delivering the intended results,” Jones said. “There is a real risk of wasting public money on schemes that fail to reduce reoffending.”
Concerns have been growing among probation officers, who have been voicing their unease for months. Some believe the changes will not lighten their workload, as intended, but instead add to it. Others fear that shifting responsibility to less-experienced staff could lead to poor outcomes.
Whitehall sources have echoed these concerns, warning that the new approach could damage the probation service’s reputation and effectiveness.
A probation officer, speaking anonymously, said: “There are serious worries about these changes. Peer challenge in group settings is a key part of rehabilitation—when offenders deny their crimes, others in the group call them out. This dynamic is much harder to achieve in one-on-one meetings.”
The overhaul comes amid broader pressures on the probation system. Last month, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that rehabilitation courses for 13,000 convicted criminals would be scrapped due to what she described as “impossible” workloads faced by probation officers.
Mahmood defended the changes, stating: “We must prioritise resources for the most serious offenders. Those who pose a higher risk will still receive the courses they need, and breaches of licence conditions will continue to be met with prison recalls.”
She also outlined plans to recruit 1,300 new probation officers by March 2026, alongside an additional 1,000 staff by this March, and introduce new technology to reduce administrative burdens on officers.
Jones acknowledged the need for reforms, admitting that probation officers were struggling with heavy caseloads, but stressed that cutting structured rehabilitation for lower-risk offenders should be carefully reviewed to avoid unintended consequences.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our priority is keeping the public safe, which is why probation officers will continue to focus on the highest-risk offenders. Only staff who are fully trained will be allowed to deliver accredited rehabilitation programmes, and this will not change under the new proposals.”
News
Local MP completes his first Haverfordwest Parkrun

HAVERFORDWEST Parkrun number 312 took place on Saturday (Mar 15) at the Racecourse, with 80 participants crossing the finish line—among them, Henry Tufnell MP, who completed his first parkrun.
The MP recorded a time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds at the free weekly 5k community event. His wife, Poppy, also took part, volunteering for the first time as one of 15 helpers who ensure the event runs smoothly under the parkrun UK umbrella.
The event, which has now seen 24,536 finishers, takes place every Saturday at 9:00am. Organisers expressed gratitude to Haverfordwest Racecourse Public Park Trust for their continued support in hosting the event and to Haverfordwest Cricket Club for providing toilet facilities for participants each week.
-
Crime4 days ago
Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales
-
Top News5 days ago
Pembrokeshire man sentenced for driving four times over drink-drive limit
-
News6 days ago
Oil tanker and cargo ship ablaze after collision in North Sea
-
News4 days ago
Delays to Wales’ tribunal system ‘deeply troubling’
-
Education2 hours ago
Former Ysgol y Preseli headmaster passes following battle with cancer
-
Crime6 days ago
John Cooper appeal file still under review, but CCRC says process ‘will take time’
-
News7 days ago
Pembrokeshire becomes latest council to consider devolution of Crown Estate
-
Crime5 days ago
Milford man jailed for hurling racial insults during verbal attack