News

Romanian ATM cheat was caught at ferry port

Published

9 years ago

June 14, 2016

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

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.