News
Pembroke Dock: Romanian ATM cheat was caught at ferry port

Swansea Crown Court
A CHEATING Romanian who thought he could escape justice by fleeing back home spent almost three weeks in jail after being caught at Pembroke Dock as he embarked off a ferry from Ireland.
Christian Iancu, aged 28, had been part of a three man gang who travelled to Pembrokeshire to try a new method of scamming cash machines.
Iancu, and fellow countrymen Lucian Ghiurcuta, aged 29, and Mihai Patrascu, 25, devised a “glue and jell” capturing device they inserted into an ATM at the Lloyds bank in Main Street, Pembroke, in 2012.
The machine “swallowed” the debit card of the next person to use the cash point but the scam failed to work because the trio were not able to retrieve the card and the pin number.
However, they had more luck at the cash machine outside the Tesco store in Tenby.
Kay Kees failed to get her card back but Iancu and his friends then spent almost £1,000 of her money gambling at a Ladbrokes betting shop.
In 2014 Ghiurcuta and Patrascu were jailed for nine months and eight months respectively, the sentences suspended for two years.
But Iancu stayed in Romania until May 3 when police in Pembroke arrested him as he left the ferry.
Iancu admitted fraud by false representation, possessing an article for use in fraud, and theft.
Tom Scapens, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court the trio had operated a “sophisticated set up” and had deliberately targeted west Wales.
After their arrests they claimed at first to have been sight seeing.
The judge, Mr Recorder Greg Bull, said his hands were tied as the judge in the case of Ghiurcuta and Patrascu had passed suspended prison sentences.
If he had been the sentencing judge, he added, they would have gone to jail immediately.
“You escape justice for four years because you left the country. You have a bad record for dishonesty,” he told Iancu.
Iancu was jailed for six months, suspended for two years.
Community
Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker
Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance
FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.
Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.






On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.
Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)









Community
Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation
SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.
Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.
In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.
Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.
Community
Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven
ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.
The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.
Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.
The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.

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