News
Town Council makes history

THE NEW mayor of Milford Haven is set to become the town’s youngest ever mayor. Cllr William Elliot is due to take the reins from Cllr Stephen Joseph in May.
The new deputy mayor will be Cllr Colin Sharp.
In another first for the town, Milford Haven will have the first town council with an openly gay mayor and deputy mayor.
28-year-old William Elliott, who is currently deputy mayor, was elected for the position on Monday (Apr 25) by fellow councillors to succeed the current mayor, Cllr Stephen Joseph.
Cllr Elliott is a qualified primary school teacher, and teaches children at Manorbier and Milford Haven Junior School. He also leads the town’s cadet group.
He said that it was a huge achievement for him, and felt honoured to have been elected for the position. Cllr Elliott also thanked fellow councillors and voters for getting to this point in local history, showing Milford Haven is open and accepting of anyone, regardless of religion, race, gender or sexuality.
Cllr Colin Sharp narrowly beat Cllr Carol Stevens by one vote to get the position of deputy mayor (7 votes to 6).
Cllr Sharp has been involved with a huge amount of local charities since he moved to the area nine years ago, including the Business Circle and Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship (PATCH).
Cllr Sharp helped save Pill Social Centre from closure and is still involved in the running of the hall. He also governs the Meads School and Milford Haven Junior School, is the chairman of Milford Haven Museum, and organises Milford Haven’s annual Christmas Together with his husband, Cllr Guy Woodham.
Speaking to The Herald after the council meeting on Monday (Apr 25), Cllr Sharp said: “I am delighted to have been elected as Deputy Mayor in the coming year.
“I will endeavour to support the new Mayor Elect in his duties, and am proud to be representing a town I’m very proud to call my home.”
Cllr Sharp also spoke of how Milford Haven has seen many “firsts”, having elected Milford Haven’s youngest mayor, and first openly gay mayor and deputy.
He said: “Guy was the first openly gay mayor, and now we will have both!”
He finished, by stating he feels honoured having been backed by fellow councillors, and guaranteed he will not let them down.
Crime
Domestic violence offender jailed after breaching court order

A LONG-STANDING Pembrokeshire domestic violence offender has been sent back to prison after breaching a domestic violence protection order.
Paul Webber was arrested on March 18 after being seen kissing his victim outside probation offices in Haverfordwest, despite a court order preventing contact.
A court order imposed by Llanelli magistrates earlier this month prevented him from making any contact with the female after being convicted of threatening to kill her, strangle her, and sexually assault her.
“On March 12, a report was made to police that he’d attended a probation appointment with the female, who remained standing outside the offices,” a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“Police officers viewed the CCTV footage and recognised the female as the victim.
“This was clearly a breach of the domestic violence protection order towards a vulnerable woman, and there’s also concern that she minimises incidents. He’s known as a domestic violence instigator with previous partners.”
Webber, of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to breaching the domestic violence protection order.
He was sentenced to 28 days in custody.
“You were aware of the terms of the order but you deliberately breached it,” said the presiding magistrate when passing sentence.
“You showed a complete disregard for it.”
Crime
Arrest warrant issued for charity box theft suspect

A WARRANT without bail has been issued for a Milford Haven man accused of stealing a charity box from the Castle Hotel in Haverfordwest.
Daniel Fairlie, 29, of Observatory Avenue, Milford Haven, was listed to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, March 18. However, after failing to attend, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.
Fairlie is accused of stealing the charity box on November 23, 2024, along with multiple shoplifting offences and drug possession.
Crime
Bail breacher remanded in custody after ferry trip with victim

A BAIL breacher has been remanded in custody after traveling to and from Ireland on the Pembroke Dock ferry with a victim he was prohibited from seeing.
Robson Franca, 38, was arrested by port officers after being seen in the presence of the complainant when the Rosslare ferry recently docked in Pembroke Dock.
This week, Haverfordwest magistrates were told that a domestic violence court order imposed by Avon and Somerset magistrates prohibited Franca from having any contact with the complainant pending his trial on May 16.
Franca’s solicitor, Peter Tarr, told the court that the complainant frequently contacts Franca and makes threats if he refuses to see her.
Despite the defense’s arguments, magistrates refused to grant bail, citing concerns that Franca might commit further offences, fail to surrender, or interfere with prosecution witnesses. He was remanded in custody.
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