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Councillor apologises to Standards Committee

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Apology: Cllr Tudor: Apologised to the Standard’s Committee

Apology: Cllr Tudor: Apologised to the Standard’s Committee

COUNTY COUNCILLOR Thomas Tudor has apologised to the Standards Committee for voting on a matter concerning Haverfordwest secondary education despite only being given a dispensation to speak.

The Standards Committee met on Thursday, February 11, and also decided to grant Cllr Tudor the right to speak and vote on the matter for the next year.

Cllr Tudor is a parent governor of Sir Thomas Picton School and also has a close association with someone working at Pembrokeshire College and therefore has to declare a personal and prejudicial interest.

A complaint was made by Cllr Myles Pepper and Council Leader Jamie Adams after he voted at an extraordinary meeting of council on April 14, 2015.

An ombudsman’s investigation into the complaint found that no action needed to be taken against Cllr Tudor but recommended that he apologised to the Standards Committee for disregarding their decision.

Cllr Tom Tudor said: “I apologise to you the standards committee, and only you members of the standards committee, however I did it in my desperation to represent the views of my electorate and get their views heard and voted for.

Mr David Morgan thanked Cllr Tudor for his words and said they accepted his apology.

Cllr Tudor continued: “Never before have I seen such a huge amount of interest in one subject alone in all the years I have served as the county councillor for the Castle Ward. With that in mind it is highly imperative that we as county councillors listen to the needs of the people and take on board their concerns, we have a duty of care to at least do that.

“This is why I am seeking dispensation from you the standards committee to speak and vote on this important matter as an elected member who is also a parent governor of Sir Thomas Picton School.

“The proposals to have a centralised 6th form on the site of Pembrokeshire College to serve the Northern part of Pembrokeshire is one that certainly does not have the support of the Governing Bodies of Sir Thomas Picton, and Takers school.

“With the governing bodies of Sir Thomas Picton school, of which I am a Parent Governor, and the Governing Body of Taskers having over 200 years’ experience collectively is something that must be taken into account and the views of those Governing bodies should be respected and represented within the chambers of Pembrokeshire county Council by the elected members of Haverfordwest community.

“The Governing bodies of both schools strongly believe that the proposed new amalgamated school in Haverfordwest should also have the provision of providing a 6th form, in that we provide a choice to the pupils, the same way we have afforded the pupils in the South of the county a choice.

“Crymych, Tenby, Milford Haven, Pembroke are given a choice of having a 6th form, Haverfordwest, St Davids and Fishguard are not given a choice, that simply is not acceptable, unjust and simply completely unfair. Hence the reason why I am seeking dispensation to speak and vote.

“We all want the best for our children and young people and we should invest more time and research into this matter before we move forward with full elected member input in terms of voting and speaking within the chamber.

“Please in no way let there be any misunderstanding with my view of Pembrokeshire College, it is a good educational establishment serving the people of Pembrokeshire well since its creation. But a 6th form centre is best placed on the site of the proposed new school for Haverfordwest.

“We are talking about the education of the young people of Pembrokeshire, therefore all councillors have an interest in that, so do we all have a prejudicial interest, I would say yes, therefore we all should have full voting and speaking rights.”

Cllr Stan Hudson said: “Having argued previously for Haverfordwest members to speak and vote because as Tom as already mentioned he is representing a large number of parents in Haverfordwest and this is a county wide issue that I think it is important that Haverfordwest members are allowed to speak and vote.”

It was approved to give Cllr Tudor dispensation to speak and vote for the following year.

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Crime

‘Most extensive’ court order issued against paedophile with Pembrokeshire links

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Predator jailed for historic child sex offences as police enforce strict post-release controls

A CONVICTED paedophile who once lived in Pembrokeshire has been jailed and handed the most extensive Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) ever issued in the Dyfed-Powys Police force area.

STEVEN LOVERIDGE, aged 60, was sentenced to six years and seven months at Swansea Crown Court in May after admitting to a string of sexual offences involving young children, some dating back as far as 2007.

The Herald understands that some of Loveridge’s offending took place while he was living in West Wales, including during a period he spent residing in Pembrokeshire. Police have not confirmed specific locations, but the scale and historic nature of the abuse prompted a far-reaching investigation across multiple counties.

Following his conviction, Dyfed-Powys Police applied for an SHPO so extensive it has shocked even seasoned officers. The order contains 20 separate and highly specific prohibitions designed to protect the public both during and after Loveridge’s release from prison.

Lowri, a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police’s Legal Services team, said: “In most cases, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order will contain two or three tailored conditions. Loveridge’s case was far from typical.

“The final order includes twenty distinct and targeted prohibitions. It reflects the extreme risk he poses to children and the importance of ensuring community safety.”

The SHPO legally binds Loveridge to a set of strict restrictions which will be enforced after his release from prison. These could include limits on internet access, contact with children, travel, and the use of certain technology — although the full details of the order have not been made public.

The force said the measures are part of a wider toolkit to monitor high-risk offenders and prevent reoffending.

Police confirmed that the complexity of the case, combined with the severity of the offences, led to what they have called a “ground-breaking” order, believed to be the most comprehensive ever imposed in the Dyfed-Powys region.

Loveridge will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

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Community

Puffin found 110 miles inland released back into the wild in Pembrokeshire

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Rare rescue sees seabird named Oona nursed back to health after landing in Herefordshire garden

A PUFFIN that somehow found its way more than 100 miles inland has been returned to the sea in Pembrokeshire after being rescued in a Herefordshire garden.

The bird, affectionately named Oona after a children’s book character, was discovered in June in the landlocked county — some 110 miles from the coast — and taken to Vets for Pets in Hereford. At just 218g, around half the normal weight for an adult puffin, she was underweight but otherwise alert.

Wildlife vet David Couper from the RSPCA provided guidance on her initial care, and once stabilised, Oona was transferred to the charity’s specialist West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset. Staff there say puffin patients are extremely rare — only six have been treated at the centre in the past ten years.

Ryan Walker, Wildlife Supervisor at West Hatch, said: “Finding a puffin that far inland is extraordinary. She quickly became a bit of a star here. Our team gave her a good clean-up, helped her regain strength, and she did really well during her stay with us.”

Following her rehabilitation, which included nutritious fish meals and time in a recovery pool, Oona was returned to the sea off the coast of Pembrokeshire — home to Wales’ best-known puffin colonies, particularly on Skomer Island.

Puffins typically breed in coastal colonies, raising their chicks in burrows during spring and summer before spending the rest of the year out at sea. It’s rare for them to be found inland unless blown off course or affected by illness or exhaustion.

Oona’s story is just one of thousands seen by the RSPCA each year. In 2024, the charity took in over 10,000 wild animals across its four dedicated wildlife centres, with many found injured, orphaned or sick in people’s gardens.

The RSPCA is urging the public to act quickly if they find an animal in distress. Where safe, they should take the animal directly to a vet or consult advice on the charity’s website: www.rspca.org.uk/reportcruelty

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Crime

Youth, 19, appears in court over Tenby stabbing incident

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A YOUNG man accused of stabbing a teenager in a Tenby housing estate on Monday (July 14) has been remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates.

OLIVER DOWLING, aged 19, of Newell Hill, Tenby, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 17) charged with three offences — including wounding with intent, possessing a knife in a public place, and possession of cannabis.

The charges relate to a serious incident on Hafalnod estate, where Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a man was taken to hospital after being stabbed with a knife. The victim, named in court as JOSH ALLEN, is recovering from his injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Dowling faces the following charges:

Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861),

Possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife, on Hafalnod estate,

Possession of a quantity of cannabis, a Class B drug.

No pleas were entered, and magistrates declined bail on the grounds that Dowling was likely to reoffend and could interfere with witnesses. He was remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Swansea Crown Court on August 18 at 9:00am.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a 20-year-old man had been arrested shortly after the incident and that no other individuals are being sought in connection with the matter.

A police spokesperson said: “There continues to be an increased police presence within the area, and if anyone has any concerns please speak to those officers.”

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