News

Two brothers unite for rescue mission

Published

10 years ago

April 19, 2016

Matt and Dan Church: Brothers 100 miles apart join forces in RNLI rescue mission

TWO brothers, who are usually stationed over 100 miles apart, recently joined forces to attend an emergency call-out for Penarth’s volunteer lifeboat crew.

31-year-old Matt Church and his brother Dan Church, aged 27, were called away from their Mother’s Day celebrations with their family to aid a broken down vessel.

Dan joined the RNLI seven years ago and is stationed at Little Haven and Broad Haven.

Following in his little brother’s footsteps a year later, Matt is a volunteer crew member at Penarth RNLI.

Consistency in training across all of the RNLI’s lifeboat stations allowed the two to work together seamlessly with the other members of the volunteer lifeboat crew.

The defective six metre Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) was towed back by the Penarth lifeboat and its crew to its home in Cardiff Bay.

Matt said: “We were both brought up on the water in Pembrokeshire, so joining the RNLI seemed natural to both of us. We are very close as brothers so it felt second nature – we’re naturally on the same wave length.

“Even though we’ve both been volunteering for a number of years, we’ve not been at sea together before. The call came whilst we were in Penarth for Mother’s day.

“Mum was fine with it, and proud we were called out to help together. My flat overlooks the channel so the family were watching the whole shout from my balcony.

“We both respect the sea, and have a willingness to help. For me, not being from Penarth, it has helped me integrate into the local community and be part of a ready-made lifeboat family.

“Both of us intend to be helms eventually, but I am expecting my first child and Dan has regular shortterm contracts in Australia for a few months at a time, but progression is very much on our ‘radar’.”

Matt works as a commercial manager at Cardiff Blues and Dan is a self-employed carpenter, but both have found the time to volunteer with the RNLI.

Paul Eastment, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager for South Wales, said: “The fact that a crew member from a different station was able to join his brother on this call at Penarth shows the strong commitment to lifesaving possessed by our volunteers.

“Even though Dan was not at his home station, his skills were able to benefit another community. This really is an excellent example of professionalism and transferable skills across the RNLI.”

Crime

Prisoner jailed for historic child abuse dies at Parc

Published

2 minutes ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Standard ombudsman investigation launched following death in custody

A prisoner serving a lengthy sentence for the rape and sexual abuse of a young child has died at HMP Parc, prison officials have confirmed.

Malcolm Coles, aged 76, passed away on Wednesday (Dec 17, 2025) while being held at the Bridgend jail.

Coles had been jailed in 2017 after a court heard he carried out a sustained campaign of abuse against a young girl over a six-year period during the 1980s, when she was between six and eleven years old.

He was convicted of one count of rape, four counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child following a trial decades after the offences took place. The victim reported the abuse more than twenty-five years later.

The court sentenced him to 15 years in prison.

Confirming the death, a spokesperson for the prison said: “Mr Malcolm Coles passed away on 17 December 2025.

“As with all deaths in custody, this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. The cause of death will be for the coroner to determine.”

No cause of death has been released at this stage.

It is understood Coles had been unwell for some time prior to his death.

All deaths in prison custody are automatically referred to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, who carries out an independent investigation into the circumstances before the matter proceeds to an inquest.

Crime

Teacher discharged as Milford School to reopen Monday after serious assault

Published

11 minutes ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Deputy head praises ‘calm and professional’ staff and pupils during lockdown

A TEACHER injured in a serious incident at Milford Haven Comprehensive School has been discharged from hospital as the school confirmed it will reopen on Monday with extra support in place.

A 15-year-old boy remains in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder following the alleged assault at around 3:20pm on Thursday (Feb 5).

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the school after reports that a pupil had assaulted a member of staff while brandishing a weapon. The site was placed into immediate lockdown, with all pupils later sent home safely.

In a fresh statement issued late on Friday afternoon, school leaders and the council thanked staff, pupils and emergency services for their response.

Deputy headteacher Daryl John said: “On behalf of the school staff and governors, I would like to thank and praise all of the staff and the small number of pupils who remained on site. They all conducted themselves with professionalism and were calm throughout.

“We are extremely grateful to the emergency services for their rapid and effective response. Our heartfelt best wishes go out to our colleague, and we look forward to their full and speedy recovery.”

Jon Harvey, leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said he was pleased the school would reopen next week.

He added: “If there are any pupils who have been affected by the incident and require additional support, please ask teachers or staff who will be able to help with well-being provision.

“Lockdowns such as that implemented on Thursday afternoon are routinely rehearsed by schools so that on the very rare occasions where they are needed, everyone knows what to do.

“As a Local Authority we will of course continue to support Milford Haven School in whatever way possible following this awful incident.”

Earlier, the council and Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed specialist support would be available for staff and learners, and advised anyone needing urgent mental health help to call NHS 111 and press option two.

Local MP Henry Tufnell and teaching unions including NASUWT and National Education Union have also expressed concern and support for the school community.

Parents described the town as subdued, with one telling The Herald it felt “like a lockdown morning” with no children walking to school.

Police enquiries are ongoing.

Crime

Police probe fire safety damage at St Govan’s Centre in Pembroke Dock

Published

26 minutes ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating after fire safety equipment was deliberately damaged at the St Govan’s Shopping Centre in Pembroke Dock.

The incident happened during the evening of Monday (Feb 2), when glass covers on several fire alarm call points inside the shopping arcade were reportedly smashed.

Centre staff said the damage posed a serious risk to public safety and warned that tampering with fire protection systems could endanger shoppers and businesses.

A spokesperson for the centre said: “This type of behaviour is extremely concerning. Damaging fire alarm equipment compromises safety and puts people at risk.

“It also leaves the centre facing unnecessary repair costs and disruption which could have been avoided.”

CCTV images have been released showing three young people who are believed to be connected to the incident. Staff are urging anyone who recognises those pictured to come forward so the matter can be addressed.

They added: “We want to make clear how dangerous this kind of behaviour is and deal with it appropriately.”

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers are making enquiries.

A spokesperson said: “On February 3 we received a report of criminal damage which occurred at St Govan’s Shopping Centre, Pembroke Dock, on February 2. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.