ROWAN CLARK, aged 24, of no fixed abode in Pembroke Dock, appeared before magistrates this week accused of criminal damage at a legal office in Pembroke.

The court heard that on Saturday, April 27, 2024, Clark allegedly caused £62 worth of damage to property belonging to Greathead and Whitelock Solicitors, located on Hamilton Terrace.

Clark has pleaded not guilty to the offence and has been remanded in custody ahead of further hearings.

He is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 15, via live video link for a case mention, with sentencing scheduled for April 22 if convicted.

ROWAN CLARK, aged 24, of Devon Drive, Pembroke, has been remanded in custody following a string of offences in the town including multiple thefts, vehicle interference and damage to public property.

Clark appeared before magistrates in Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 27) where he admitted stealing alcohol worth £24 from Bush Hill Service Station on March 8, £27.20 worth of alcohol from Spar on both February 18 and March 18, £34.33 worth of groceries from Spar on February 11, and £21.57 worth of groceries from Bush Hill Service Station on the same date.

He also admitted to interfering with a motor vehicle—a blue Honda—on February 19 with the intent to steal it or items from it.

Additionally, Clark was convicted of criminal damage after smashing windows worth £602.78 belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council on September 16 last year.

Clark was also convicted of failing to attend an assessment for drug misuse on February 8, after testing positive for cocaine.

He has been remanded in custody while reports are prepared and will next appear in court on Tuesday, April 15, via live video link.

WELSH politicians must abandon costly “vanity projects” such as changing the school year and instead help schools focus on the basics of teaching and learning, according to the school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru.

The call comes as the union launches its 2026 election manifesto at its annual conference in Cardiff today (Apr 2).

NAHT Cymru says it is giving parties early notice ahead of next year’s Senedd elections, urging them to listen to the needs of financially-stricken schools that are struggling to deliver for pupils amid rising pressures.

The manifesto sets out the key challenges facing Welsh schools and outlines what political parties must do to support teachers, school leaders and learners.

Laura Doel, the union’s Wales national secretary, and general secretary Paul Whiteman are addressing delegates at the Cornerstone venue in Cardiff. Other confirmed speakers include Education Secretary Lynne Neagle and Estyn Chief Inspector Owen Evans.

Ms Doel said: “We are urging politicians to get back to basics and help schools focus on what matters – teaching children and young people and preparing them for adulthood.

“At a time when many schools are struggling to make core budgets add up, they have increasingly been left to pick up the slack for under-resourced community services, supporting pupils facing issues from poverty to mental ill-health.

“Too much government time and energy has been wasted on vanity projects like toying with changes to the school year. Our message is clear – don’t overload schools with new initiatives unless you’re providing the support they need to do the basics well.”

A recent NAHT Cymru survey revealed that more than half of school leaders (53%) are predicting a budget deficit this academic year, with many being forced to cut essential services and staff, including teachers.

Key demands in the manifesto include:

• Fair funding: Address the findings of the Welsh Government’s 2025 funding review, end the postcode lottery in school funding, and restore financial support for small and rural schools.
• Recruitment and retention: Restore teacher and leader pay to 2010 levels after real-terms cuts and fully fund pay rises so schools can afford them.
• Wraparound services: Support local authorities to rebuild vital services such as social care and mental health, ensuring schools are not left to fill the gap alone.
• Mental health: Invest in mental health support teams, school-based counselling, and creative therapies in all education settings.
• Additional Learning Needs (ALN): Properly resource schools to meet the ALN Code or revise the code to reflect what is realistically achievable, and ensure ALN coordinators receive appropriate recognition and pay, as recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body.
• Workload reduction: Honour agreements made with unions to reduce staff workload and assess the impact of any new policies on staff pressures.

NAHT Cymru’s newly appointed president, Dafydd Jones, head teacher at Ysgol Melyd in Prestatyn, said: “Teachers and school leaders do not have sufficient funding, resources or support to focus on what matters most – teaching and supporting pupils.

“It’s time to trust the professionals, allow reforms time to bed in, and give schools the resources they need to thrive – not more political tinkering.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT, added: “Our school leaders in Wales and their teams are dedicated professionals who care deeply about providing the best education possible.

“But it often feels like they’re being asked to do it with one hand tied behind their backs. Their resilience is remarkable, but it’s becoming harder to sustain. We need a clear commitment from all political parties to properly fund and support schools.