News
M-CAT user made ‘stupid mistake’

ON TUESDAY (Dec 22) at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, 22-year-old Luke Dean Probert from Catshole Quarry in Monkton pleaded guilty to possessing 8.36g of Chloromethcathinone or M-CAT. On October 18 at around 5.30pm, officers on patrol stop checked a Ford Focus, which was being driven by Probert. Ellie Morgan, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant’s eyes were dilated and he seemed nervous. He was asked if he had taken any drugs and he admitted that he had taken M -CAT over the weekend.
His vehicle was searched and two small bags of drugs were found. One of the bags was open, with a £5 note protruding from it. The defendant told the police that the drugs were M-CAT and that he had poured water into the bag in an effort to destroy the drug, as he no longer wanted it. In interview, the defendant told the police that he had bought the Class B drug in the early hours of the previous Saturday. He said it was stupid of him to take the drugs and that he had bought the two bags for about £100 in Pembroke.
Defending Probert, Matt Greenish said that his client had been stopped for an unrelated matter. “He is devastated to be here today because he has been trying to stay out of trouble. He has very little recollection of purchasing the drugs and they had very little effect on him,” said the lawyer, “He’s gutted, it was a stupid mistake.” Magistrates said that it was very unfortunate that Probert had found himself before the court before fining him £255. He will also have to pay £85 in prosecution costs, a £26 victim surcharge and a £180 criminal court charge.
News
A477 crash at Carew roundabout causes major delays

A CRASH on the A477 at Carew roundabout caused significant traffic delays this morning (March 13).
The collision, involving two vehicles, occurred at around 10:20am. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that no injuries were reported.
The road was closed while recovery teams worked to clear the vehicles, leading to heavy congestion in the area.

A police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A477 at Carew roundabout at around 10:20am today (March 13).
“No injuries have been reported. There are delays in the area due to high volumes of traffic. Recovery is at the scene, and the road will reopen once the vehicles have been recovered.”
Traffic in the area remained slow while recovery operations continued.
Community
Pembrokeshire among cheapest councils for bulky waste collection

SPRING cleaning is in full swing as searches for decluttering peak on March 20, with many households looking to dispose of unwanted furniture and large items. However, new research has revealed that the cost of bulky waste collection varies significantly across Wales.
According to a study by Cardiff-based waste management experts BusinessWaste.co.uk, Ceredigion County Council has the highest bulky waste charges in Wales, with a minimum collection fee of £61. This fee covers up to six items, with an additional charge of £61 for a further six items.
At the other end of the scale, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council offers the lowest minimum charge at just £6.70.
Where does Pembrokeshire rank?
Pembrokeshire County Council ranks 17th out of 22 Welsh councils in terms of bulky waste charges, making it one of the more affordable options. The council charges £21.30, covering up to ten items per collection—more items than most councils in Wales.
Despite the relatively low cost, Pembrokeshire does not offer any discounts or concessions for those on benefits, pension credits, or other financial support schemes. However, fridge collection is included at no additional cost.
How do other councils compare?
The study ranked the top ten most expensive councils in Wales, with Ceredigion leading, followed by Wrexham (£57.50) and the Isle of Anglesey (£46). At the opposite end, Cardiff has one of the lowest rates (£12.50), while Carmarthenshire sits in 13th place with a charge of £25.
Wales versus the UK
On a national level, Wales has the sixth highest average bulky waste collection charge at £29.84. The South East of England is the most expensive region, with an average charge of £44.81, while Northern Ireland is the cheapest, averaging just £5.97.
Key findings from the report:
- No Welsh councils offer a free collection service.
- Pembrokeshire’s ranking in the UK is 256th out of 382 councils, placing it in the bottom 33% for bulky waste charges.
- Fridge collections are free across all Welsh councils.
- Carmarthenshire ranks 227th in the UK, with a £25 charge covering up to three items.
A spokesperson for BusinessWaste.co.uk said: “Bulky waste collection is a vital service for households looking to dispose of large items responsibly, but the costs vary widely across the UK. While some councils offer reasonable rates, others charge significantly higher fees, which can deter responsible waste disposal.”
For the full report, visit: www.businesswaste.co.uk.
Entertainment
Rich Hall set to bring razor-sharp comedy to Torch Theatre

“CHIN MUSIC” has two meanings. One refers to idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket, aimed at unsettling the batter. Both describe Rich Hall’s comedy—sharp, quick, and intimidating, yet effortlessly off-the-cuff. If you’ve never seen him live, now’s your chance—he’s coming to the Torch Theatre, and he never disappoints. Ever.
A master of stand-up, music, and improvisation, Rich Hall has been a comedy heavyweight for decades. The American comedian first rose to fame in the 1980s as a sketch performer, appearing on shows such as Fridays, Not Necessarily the News, and Saturday Night Live. In the UK, he’s a familiar face on QI, Live at the Apollo, and Have I Got News for You. He’s also a prolific writer, having penned articles for The Guardian and The Sunday Times, as well as starring in his own BBC Radio 4 series, Rich Hall’s (US Election) Breakdown.
“We always love a good night of comedy, full of belly laughs here at the Torch Theatre,” said Jordan Dickin from the venue’s marketing team. “Following a very long winter, a night of comedy is just what’s needed to brush away the cobwebs—and Rich Hall is the man to do just that.”
Rich Hall will take to the stage at the Torch Theatre on Thursday, April 17, at 8:00pm. This will be his only performance in West Wales during his 2025 tour.
Tickets: £18
STRICTLY 14+ (contains strong language and adult content) Book now: www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.
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