News
“Speedy access” essential for expectant mums
AT LEAST eight pregnant women a week are being transferred from midwife-run maternity to consultant-led units in Wales, a survey by Plaid Cymru has revealed.
The party submitted a Freedom of Information request to all Welsh health boards.
The responses from four heath boards, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Aneurin Bevan, Cwm Taf and Powys revealed that more than 1,700 transfers had taken place over the past five years with 455 during 2012.
Cwm Taf said that since its birth centre had been sited next to a hospital, more women had chosen to use the birth centre.
In Cardiff & the Vale, the Midwifery Led Unit (MLU) at UHW is next to the delivery site in UHW. Transfer rates have ranged from 25.3% to 37% over the last five years.Betsi Cadwaladr said that it did not keep centralised figures on transfers. At the moment, Hywel Dda LHB does not have any midwife-led units. It plans to provide midwife-led services at Withybush General Hospital and consultant-led services at Glangwili, 33 miles and 50 minutes away.
Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Spokesperson on Health, said:
“Although midwife-led units are safe, it is vital that there is speedy access to consultants when complications arise.
“The responses from the health boards show that a considerable number of pregnant women need to be transferred from midwife-maternity units when complications occur.”
Crime
Knife allegation after clash with enforcement officers
Castlemorris man denies affray and criminal damage charges
A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of threatening enforcement officers with a knife during an incident at his home near Mathry.
Simon Coll, 59, is charged with affray and two counts of criminal damage following the incident at Pant y Blodau, Castlemorris, in the early hours of February 26.
Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week that three Excel enforcement officers had attended the property to secure vehicles.
“The officers had a conversation about securing some of the vehicles at the property, and then knocked on the door wearing body worn cameras,” she said.
“The defendant opened the door and immediately became aggressive towards them, brandishing a knife, and asking, ‘Do you want some?’”
Body worn camera footage was shown to the magistrates, in which the enforcement officers could be seen running away while shouting at Coll to put down the knife.
Coll is further accused of causing £387 worth of damage to a windscreen and wheel clamp belonging to Excel Enforcement.
He denies all three charges.
Although magistrates agreed to retain jurisdiction, Coll elected for trial by jury.
The case has now been sent to Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings are due to begin on Friday (May 8). Coll was released on unconditional bail.
Crime
Pembroke woman denies assault charge
Defendant accused of assaulting woman at Pembroke Leisure Centre and will stand trial in June
A PEMBROKE woman has appeared before magistrates charged with assaulting a woman at Pembroke Leisure Centre.
Kaycee Blake, aged 35, of Devon Drive, Pembroke, is accused of assaulting a woman by beating during an alleged incident at the leisure centre on September 27, 2025.
Blake appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where she denied the charge.
Her trial has been listed for June 1 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. She was released on unconditional bail.
Crime
Scaffolder banned from road after cocaine drug-drive offence
A PEMBROKESHIRE scaffolder has been banned from driving after being caught with cocaine in his system while on his way to work.
Alex Williams, 41, was stopped by police on the morning of November 3, 2025, as he drove his Peugeot 207 along the A4076 at Dredgemans Hill, Haverfordwest.
A roadside drug swipe proved positive. Subsequent blood tests showed he had 133 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50.
The court heard other drugs were also detected, but all were below the legal limit.
Probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates: “He’d been to a party the weekend before where he’d consumed some cocaine.
“He was stopped by officers on Monday morning as he drove to his place of work in Waterston. But now, as a result of the offence, he is unsure whether he will be able to remain in his employment.”
Williams, of Summerhill, Keeston, was represented by solicitor Fenn Richards, who said the offence came at a time of increasing anxiety over his health.
“There’s a defective gene in his family which increases the risk of gastric cancer,” said Ms Richards.
“The defendant found out he had this gene just a few months before the offence. Several of his family members have passed away as a result of the gene, and naturally this has had a great impact on his mental health, which is why he consumed the cocaine.”
Williams was sentenced to a 12-month community order. He must complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was also disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
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