News

St Davids: Man who put gun to teenager’s head jailed

Published

8 years ago

July 8, 2016

Swansea Crown Court

A ST DAVIDS man who held a gun to a teenager’s head and at some point pulled the trigger has been jailed for 15 months today (Jul 8).

Paul Ralph Bullus also cut the boy with a knife and threatened to kill him.

Bullus, aged 52, of Brynteg, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and making threats to kill.

Dyfed Thomas, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court how Bullus, a marine engineer, lost his temper during a row with the boy on March 1.

At one stage he dragged the boy into a room and held a knife to his head so fiercely that he caused minor cuts.

And he put a BB gun to his head and then to his body with such force that an imprint of the barrel could be seen lateron the boy’s skin.

The gun fired ball bearings and at some point Bullus pulled the trigger. The “bullet” hit the boy but it was not clear if that was a direct hit or as a result of a ricochet.

In addition, said Mr Thomas, Bullus forced the youth to handle the knife and told him that if he called the police he would tell them that he had waved it about and officers would find his fingerprints on it.

Mr Thomas said police who attended the scene were alarmed at first because Bullus appeared to have an arsenal of firearms, including an Enfield rifle.

However all the weapons had been de-commissioned and were not classed under law as firearms. The Enfield had belonged to Bullus’ grandfather, the court heard.

Dean Pulling, the barrister representing Bullus, said he had been under stress and had turned to alcohol as a way of dealing with it.

The judge, Mr Recorder Peter Rouch, said the offending had been serious and prolonged and only a sentence of immediate custody was warranted.

Bullus, he said, had terrified the boy, both with the threats to kill him and his behaviour with the knife and the gun.

In addition to the prison sentence Mr Recorder Rouch issued a restraining order banning Bullus from contacting the victim or ever entering St Davids.

Mr Pulling told the court that Bullus intending to live in Weymouth after being released from Swansea prison.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day 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.