News
Broadband rollout reaches Pendine
THE FIRST households and businesses served by the Pendine exchange can now place orders for superfast broadband, with more set to join them over the coming months as the Superfast Cymru rollout continues.
Superfast Cymru is a partnership between the Welsh Government and BT, with additional funding from Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
It is bringing superfast broadband speeds to areas which would otherwise not receive it.
More than 40,000 premises in Carmarthenshire can now access superfast broadband thanks to the Superfast Cymru programme, which is in addition to some commercial rollout of fibre broadband by the private sector in the county. Work is continuing across the county as engineers from BT’s local network business, Openreach, connect more and more premises every day, often in challenging conditions.
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said: “Pendine has a long history linked with speed, and is famous for it. Now the first homes and businesses here can begin to be able to able access superfast broadband, with more gaining access over the coming months as the rollout continues.
“We have intervened to provide access to superfast services as private sector companies decided it was not commercially viable for them alone to rollout fibre in these areas. Over 560,000 premises in all parts of Wales are now able to access it thanks to the programme and work is continuing to provide access for more homes and businesses.”
The superfast speeds enable much faster and better use of the internet. For example, all members of a household can quickly do their own thing online, all at the same time, whether that is streaming high definition films, downloading music, gaming, studying or keeping in touch with loved ones.
The Superfast Cymru programme is a huge undertaking that will involve Openreach engineers laying 17,500kms of optical fibre cable, installing around 3,000 new green roadside cabinets and sees, on average, more than 100 premises getting access to superfast broadband across Wales every hour.
If households or businesses are able to receive superfast broadband, the upgrade will not happen automatically and they should contact their Internet Service Provider (ISP) to order the service.
The Welsh Government also provides grants for businesses to have Ultrafast broadband with up to £10,000 available for the installation of services. Homes and businesses which cannot receive superfast broadband through Superfast Cymru can also receive grants to have faster broadband in other ways, such as satellite.
News
Haverfordwest paedophile who was on Jeremy Kyle show, jailed
ADRIAN JOHN THOMAS, 31, was sentenced to three years in prison last month for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) four times and failing to comply with notification requirements.
Thomas, who now has no fixed address, was originally issued the SHPO and a notification order in 2017 following his conviction for a serious child sexual offence. The court heard that he had breached the SHPO on 15 separate occasions, including his latest offences.
Upon his release from prison in October 2023, Thomas, who is well known in Haverfordwest for his ‘love rat’ appearance on the Jeremy Kyle show, initially moved to an approved address in Swansea. However, by January 2024, he relocated to Pembrokeshire, moving in with his mother, who lives in sheltered housing. Despite this, Thomas falsely registered with the police as having no fixed address, thereby violating his notification requirements.
Thomas further breached the SHPO by taking control of his mother’s iPhone against her wishes, locking it with a PIN and facial recognition. He then used the device to create two Instagram accounts, a Gmail account, and a Facebook account—all actions prohibited under the terms of the order. The court was told his actions caused significant distress to his mother, leaving her feeling trapped and powerless.
During sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, Thomas admitted to the breaches and the notification offence. His defence argued that he had moved in with his mother due to a lack of alternative accommodation and expressed remorse for his actions, adding that he had sought support for his mental health.
Judge Paul Thomas KC strongly condemned Thomas’s behaviour, stating:
“You seem completely determined to breach the sexual harm prevention order imposed after your conviction for a serious child sexual offence.
“You lied to police about where you were living. You used your mother’s phone against her wishes despite her begging you not to do so. You were on licence from an earlier offence.
“You have amassed a very bad record for offences of this type. You appear undeterrable in your refusal to abide by the sexual harm prevention order.”
Thomas was sentenced to a total of three years in prison for his latest offences.
Health
Sir Frank calls time as Chief Medical Officer for Wales after eight years
WALES’ leading doctor Sir Dr Frank Atherton has announced he will stand down after eight and half years as the Welsh Government’s Chief Medical Officer.
Sir Frank has provided independent advice to the Welsh Government on all major issues affecting the health sector in Wales.
During his tenure in Wales, after a previous post in Canada, Sir Frank played a leading role in Wales’ response to the Covid pandemic and has supported the NHS through flu outbreaks and annual winter pressures.
Speaking about Sir Frank’s decision to stand down, Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “Sir Frank has provided invaluable advice and guidance, which I am hugely grateful for.
“He played a leading role in our response to the pandemic, ensuring people throughout Wales received valuable information about the virus and about how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. I wish him all the best for the future.”
Judith Paget, chief executive of NHS Wales, said: “Frank has shown how passionate he is about improving health outcomes for the Welsh population and has led the way on improving the quality of healthcare.
“It has been a privilege to work with him and to have the benefit of his experience and commitment to new approaches.
“He has played a crucial role in being the Welsh voice around the table with other UK Chief Medical Officers, government departments and organisations”
Sir Frank has been responsible for leading the medical profession in Wales and the development of health and care research.
Speaking ahead of leaving his post, Sir Frank said: “It has been a privilege to act as CMO and a highlight of my professional career to have served the people of Wales during this incredibly challenging time.
“I would like to thank all those other civil servants, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, who have assisted me for almost a decade in this role.”
Frank Atherton’s successor will be announced in due course.
Crime
Murder trial of Andrew Main continues with harrowing witness testimonies
THE TRIAL of Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock, accused of murdering Andrew Main outside a west Wales hotel, continued at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Jan 10), with witnesses providing chilling details of the events that led to Main’s death in July 2024.
Initial confrontation in hotel bar
David Hillier, a night worker at the Travelodge in Swansea, recounted his experiences from the night of July 16, 2024. Beginning his shift at 11:00pm, Hillier said Andrew Main and his friend Michael Bell were drinking but were not intoxicated. They were joined in the hotel bar by Hannah Tedstone, a guest at the Travelodge.
According to Hillier, Joseph Dix later entered the bar, aggressively confronting Main. Dix reportedly shouted, “What the [expletive] are you doing talking to my mate’s girlfriend?” The situation escalated, and Main and Bell left the bar, followed by Dix and Ruddock. Hillier said he locked the hotel doors to protect other guests and immediately called the police and an ambulance.
Witness awoken by screams
Sundeep Singh, a local resident, was awakened by the commotion. Giving evidence, Singh said: “A scream woke me up, and I went to the living room. I saw two people chasing one man near a lamppost. The man fell down and tried to protect himself while the other two punched him repeatedly in the face and shoulders. I called 999 immediately.”
Singh described seeing emergency vehicle lights reflected in his apartment windows as he returned to bed.
Crucial video evidence presented
Daniel Lamb, another Travelodge guest, captured part of the assault on video. Lamb testified that he awoke around 2:00am to the sounds of a confrontation outside. From his window, he recorded footage showing Dix and Ruddock pursuing Main and Bell, despite their apparent attempts to retreat.
Lamb said: “The victim, Main, got punched to the floor. He didn’t move or protect himself as the two men punched him repeatedly with force. They laughed, saying, ‘Did you see that punch?’ and called Main a ‘stupid dickhead.’” Lamb’s footage revealed Dix crouching over an unconscious Main, trying to wake him and then shouting at Bell, “You [expletive] started this. Your mate’s on the floor.”
Charges and ongoing trial
The prosecution alleges that Dix and Ruddock, both from Somerset, fatally attacked Andrew Main, a 33-year-old father of two from Falkirk, near the Travelodge on Princess Way, Swansea. Main succumbed to his injuries on August 14, 2024, nearly a month after the attack, leading to the charges being upgraded from wounding with intent to murder.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. The trial, which began in January 2025, is ongoing as more witnesses and evidence are presented.
This high-profile case has drawn significant attention, with the court hearing grim details of a night that ended in tragedy.
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