Haverfordwest: ‘Monster of a man’ attacked woman with fire extinguisher

Published

9 years ago

December 11, 2015

A HAVERFORDWEST man described as a ‘monster’ when in drink sprayed a woman in the face with a fire extinguisher as the start of a sustained and brutal attack.

Morgan Ralph, aged 30, then cut Emma Thomas with a screwdriver and hit her in the face with a saucepan.

Ralph, of College Court, Hill Street, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was today jailed by a judge at Swansea Crown Court for two years and eight months.

The sentence included two months for breaching a conditional discharge issued just a few weeks earlier after Ralph had assaulted his own father.

Judge Paul Thomas also issued a restraining order banning Ralph from contacting Miss Thomas.

Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said she was now “petrified” of Ralph and had said in a victim impact statement that he had ruined her life.

Ralph’s barrister, James Jenkins, said he had no idea whatsoever why he had attacked Miss Thomas, who he viewed as a friend.

“He has to stop drinking,” said Mr Jenkins, who added that Ralph was on medication for a broken neck and that the medicine and alcohol simply didn’t mix.

Judge Thomas described Ralph as a “thorough nuisance to the courts and to the locality where he lives.”

He said Ralph had an extensive history of offending, and always after drinking.

“You turn into a monster. If you can’t handle it then leave it alone.

“This was a sustained and brutal assault on a vulnerable lady. It was a merciless beating of a woman you had never been more than friends with.

“Having flipped you vented your anger and frustration on her.”

Judge Thomas said he noted that Ralph had been convicted in 2006 of an offence of wounding—and, as in this case, the victim had been a woman.

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

19 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.