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Milford Haven: Port sells off shares in Danish firm Marimatech

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MarimatechTHE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has this week (Dec 16) announced that it has concluded an agreement to sell its investment in Marimatech as part of a sale of the whole of the Marimatech business to Trelleborg Offshore and Construction.

Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, said “Marimatech has been a profitable investment for the port.  More importantly Marimatech’s new world-beating Safepilot navigation software is now an integral part of our operation, making a major contribution to safe navigation within the port.”

When the Port bought just over a third share in Marimatech in 2012, it said the firm had a significant share in the world’s largest supplier of hi-tech maritime laser docking systems.

The Danish began manufacturing laser docking technology in 1988, entered into administration after experiencing some financial difficulties before the Port invested.

The Port’s director of corporate affairs, Mark Andrews, said at the time that it had been a satisfied customer of Marimatech for almost 10 years, and the company’s products continued to play a major role in the safe management of the Waterway.

“Marimatech’s technology is second to none,” he explained. “So once we became aware of the company’s financial position, it seemed in everyone’s interests to reach an agreement with the three other investors, and the bank, to purchase a share of a restructured and, with the new equity injection, a significantly stronger business.

“The business has a firm order book for the next 12 months and we are confident that the new management team will grow the business over the next three years.”

Pilots at Milford Haven Port use the latest version of Marimatech’s ‘E-sea Fix’ system – a highly accurate position fixing system which pilots carry aboard ships. Mr Andrews added: “The system gives the pilot a highly accurate picture of a vessel’s position, completely independent of its own equipment, and is of significant value when manoeuvring large ships.”

Marimatech A/S was set up by Erik Brinch Nielsen in 1988. In 2012 it was confirmed that the other owners of Marimatech were: investor Niels Jørgen Vase, who has more than 30 years’ experience in marine survey technology, engineering and software development businesses; Tommy Guldhammer Mikkelsen, Marimatech’s development manager with over 15 years’ experience in the sector; and Britt Degn Nielsen, Marimatech’s chief financial officer.

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Crime

Pembrokeshire businessman sentenced for £150,000 Covid loan fraud

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Director lied on three loan applications after already receiving funds

A PEMBROKESHIRE businessman who fraudulently claimed £150,000 in Bounce Back Loans during the Covid-19 pandemic has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

ZAHID AFZAL, aged 37, of Albert Street, Haverfordwest, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (June 12) to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

Afzal, the director of mobile phone businesses Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd, had already received £52,500 in legitimate Covid loans when he applied for a further three loans—one for Phone Bits and two for Phones Onn—between May and November 2020.

The court heard that Afzal lied on each of the second-round applications, claiming they were the first he had made and exaggerating the turnover of the businesses. Each loan was for £50,000—the maximum permitted under the government-backed Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

The Insolvency Service, which investigated the case, found that the majority of the £150,000 Afzal fraudulently secured was transferred to his personal accounts, in breach of the loan scheme’s conditions.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “It is clear from our investigations that Zahid Afzal felt he could continue to apply time and time again for loans he was not entitled to. His sentencing should serve as a reminder to those contemplating fraudulently pocketing taxpayers’ money to think again.”

Afzal’s companies operated phone shops and kiosks in Carmarthen, Shropshire, Andover, and North Devon. The Insolvency Service confirmed that no wrongdoing was found in relation to the original £20,000 and £32,500 loans he obtained for Phones Onn Ltd and Phone Bits Ltd respectively.

The government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme was introduced to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic, offering loans of up to £50,000 at low interest, guaranteed by the Government. Loans were strictly intended for business use only.

The Insolvency Service has confirmed it is now seeking to recover the £150,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

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Crime

Police investigate ‘threats to kill’ at Milford Haven home

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Financial dispute believed to be behind incident on Marble Hall Road

POLICE were called to a property in Milford Haven this week after reports that persons were threatening to kill the occupant.

The incident, which took place on Wednesday (June 11), led to a visible police presence at an address on Marble Hall Road. Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that officers are investigating.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating a report of threats to kill made at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, on Wednesday 11 June. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The Herald understands the incident may be linked to a financial dispute over money owed, although this has not been officially confirmed by police.

No arrests have been announced at this stage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online or by calling 101.

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Crime

Two arrested following affray near Milford Marina

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TWO people were arrested on Friday evening (June 6) following a disturbance reported on Pill Road in Milford Haven.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers responded to a report of an affray at around 7:45pm. A man aged 30 and a woman aged 28 were arrested near Milford Marina shortly afterwards. Both have since been released on police bail.

Police clarified that, contrary to some rumours circulating locally, no drugs raid took place in connection with the incident.

The Herald understands that the arrests followed a confrontation involving multiple individuals, but police have not released further details, including the identities of those arrested.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended to a report of an affray on Pill Road, Milford Haven at around 7.45pm on Friday 6 June. One man, aged 30, and one woman, aged 28, were arrested on suspicion of affray and have been released on police bail.”

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

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