News
EU employment investments for Pembrokeshire youth
A £19 MILLION EU investment, expected to boost prospects for young people within Pembrokeshire, has been announced this Wednesday (Jul 20) by the Welsh Government Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford.
The major project will provide individually-tailored programmes of support, training, volunteer opportunities and paid work placements for more than 4,500 people over the next three years, targeted at young people not in education, employment or training.
Young people aged between 11 to 24 years based in the South West Wales area will be the ones that benefit from Pembrokeshire County Council’s £19 million Cynnydd scheme, funded proportionately by £13 million of EU funds.
Professor Drakeford said: “I’m delighted to announce EU funding for this project, which will translate into improved skills, prospects and new opportunities for thousands of young people helping them to reach their potential.
“This is an important project benefitting from the millions of pounds Wales receives from the European Union, which in turn is helping people into work and training; supporting businesses; improving our roads and infrastructure and helping to regenerate communities.
“This is why it’s essential that we get a guarantee from the UK Government that Wales will not lose a penny of this funding as a result of leaving the EU.
”While arrangements are being made for the UK to leave the EU, we are pressing ahead with the delivery of our existing EU programmes in Wales, investing in projects to ensure continuity for citizens, communities and businesses.”
The Cynnydd scheme aims to help young people progress further in education and training and improve their future job and career prospects. The scheme will provide support such as individual mentoring, coaching and counselling, courses to improve basic skills, self-esteem and life skills as well as work experience and volunteering opportunities.
The investment in Cynnydd follows £30 million of EU funds invested earlier this year for similar schemes to support young people in North Wales, the South Wales Valleys and South East Wales.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy and Communities, Councillor Keith Lewis, said: “The new Cynnydd project is a wonderful opportunity for us to improve the future for young people who without this support might have struggled against life’s challenges.
“This isn’t a one-size-fits-all project, but one that will be tailored to the needs and aspirations of each young person.”
Crime
Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges
Defendant remanded in custody
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.
David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- A second count of assault
- Criminal damage
- An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
- A public order offence
Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.
Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”
A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.
The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.
Crime
Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults
Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing
A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.
Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.
- Multiple assault allegations
- The charges listed before magistrates include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Intentional strangulation
- Common assault of a woman
- Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
- Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
- A breach of bail conditions
The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.
Bail breached — defendant remanded
On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.
He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.
Case sent to Crown Court
Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.
The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.
Crime
Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands
Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction
A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.
Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.
Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.
He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.
The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.
-
Crime5 days agoPhillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with
-
Crime4 days agoKilgetty scaffolder sentenced after driving with cocaine and in system
-
Crime4 days agoHousing site director sentenced after failing to provide breath sample following crash
-
Crime4 days agoMotorist banned for three years after driving with cannabis in system
-
Education3 days agoTeaching assistant struck off after asking pupil for photos of her body
-
Crime1 day agoMan spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven
-
News6 days agoJury retires tomorrow in harrowing Baby C rape trial
-
Crime5 days agoMilford Haven pensioner denies exposure charges





