A FORMER teaching assistant at Haverfordwest High School has been banned from working in education after sending highly inappropriate messages to two female pupils, including asking one girl to send him photos of her body.

Samuel Davies, who was employed at the school through apprentice agency Ap Prentis, was removed from the classroom in October 2022 when safeguarding concerns were raised. An Education Workforce Council (EWC) panel has now found his conduct to be sexually motivated and amounting to unacceptable professional behaviour.

Messages sent under false name

The panel heard that Davies contacted two mid-teen pupils on Snapchat using the name “Sam Bear Davies”. One pupil identified as Learner B received messages asking whether she felt comfortable sending him pictures. In one message he wrote: “I want to see that body and a few pics maybe?” followed by further requests for images.

Another girl identified as Pupil A accepted a friend request from the same account and was shocked to receive the message: “Oh hey, I am your teacher. Do not tell anyone, I would get into trouble, but I think you are really attractive.”

Davies also warned one of the girls not to tell anyone he had contacted her because he would “get into trouble”.

Both pupils later provided screenshots to senior staff which resulted in Davies being escorted off school grounds while an internal investigation began.

Previous concerns about boundary issues

Deputy headteacher and safeguarding lead Tracy Edwards told the hearing she had already spoken to Davies several times about his over familiar behaviour with pupils. Concerns had been raised including allegations that he offered teenagers a drag of a vape off school premises and that he had shown pupils photos of himself vaping in a school toilet. There were also reports that he had been overheard discussing pubs and clubs with under eighteens.

Although some of the earlier claims could not be verified, his behaviour escalated and a formal complaint was made once the social media messages were shared with staff.

Davies resigned from his role in January 2023. Police reviewed the matter but did not take further action.

Panel finds sexual motivation

The EWC committee found a number of allegations proven and concluded that Davies had deliberately targeted children under sixteen and that his actions were sexually motivated.

Panel chair Robert Newsome said Davies had abused his position and caused direct harm to pupils. He noted that Davies had shown no engagement with the disciplinary process, no insight and no remorse.

“This was a pattern that developed after he began his employment,” he said. “He knew what he was doing was wrong and took steps to hide it. His actions place him as a significant risk to learners.”

Davies did not attend the hearing and provided no representation. During the school’s internal investigation he denied all allegations.

Struck off indefinitely

The committee ordered that Davies be removed from the EWC register with immediate effect. He cannot apply for reinstatement for at least five years.

He has 28 days to appeal the decision to the High Court.

Rock track raises money for charity while giving a gentle dig to the council

A BRAND-NEW Christmas rock song by a Pembrokeshire musician has namechecked Haverfordwest’s much-debated riverside bridge, offering what its creator describes as a “gentle dig” at local decision-makers while raising money for charity.

Local musicians behind the track

The single, Where has the Christmas spirit gone, has been released by Pembroke Dock musician Ray Roberts, who performs alongside Paul Smith, Ian Pearce and his son Nathan. The idea, Ray says, started as a casual chat about Christmas number ones before quickly turning into a full production.

“We were chatting about Christmas number ones; ‘sausage rolls’ got to number one a few years ago and I thought ‘hold my beer’,” he said. “It’s also quite a catchy song and locally everyone is talking about it. I went to the post office in Pennar and people were saying, ‘I like your song’.”

The accompanying video features locations across Pembrokeshire including Haverfordwest Castle and the new bridge, Pembroke nightclub OUT, Central Motors, Dales Music Store in Tenby, Wisebuys Pembroke, Tenby’s beach and castle, Pembroke Castle, and even a cameo from Ray’s wife’s grandmother, aged 101, who still lives independently in Tenby.

Lyrics take aim at local frustrations

The song opens with lyrics about the pressures facing older residents:

“No money for heating this Christmas time,
Old folks shivering as the frost starts to climb…
Council tax spent on a bridge we didn’t need,
Instagrammable views, but we have mouths to feed.”

Ray told The Herald he included the controversial bridge because “it just p****d me off, simple as that,” referring to recent cutbacks affecting elderly residents in Pembroke Dock, including the closure of the Anchorage day centre.

“Around Pembroke Dock they are having these warm rooms and they’ve recently closed the Anchorage day centre, and they spend £5m…” he said.

Supporters defend the project

Supporters of the bridge, which forms part of the wider regeneration of Haverfordwest, have pointed out that the funding came from a levelling-up scheme and could not have been used to support general council services. The actual cost to the county, they say, is only a proportion of the oft-quoted figures.

“They can spin it how they want,” Ray said. “They can spend money how they want to; they’ve always got a spare pot and then can close centres for OAPs. It’s got to p*** you off spending more money on council tax and getting less and less. It kind of hits home when you see close family friends hit by these cutbacks.”

A good-humoured project for charity

Despite the pointed lyrics, Ray stresses that the song is intended to be more humorous than hostile.

“It’s a bit tongue in cheek and a bit of a kick at the council and a chance to raise money for charity,” he said. “It’s not about a hard hit, it’s a gentle dig and a call to spend time with your family. Don’t waste your money on glitz, be with your family. That’s where the lyrics are. It’s written with good intent.”

Ray has invested around £1,500 of his own money into producing the song and video. Instead of selling CDs, the track is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, with charity proceeds raised through advertising and streaming revenue. The song is also registered for the UK charts.

“I want people downloading it. I want to raise money but not get people paying for it,” Ray said. “Hopefully advertising revenue will do that. None of the £1,500 is coming back to me; I’ve always wanted to do a rock video.”

Casualty falls into the water during tense early-morning rescue

FOUR people were rescued in the early hours of Thursday (Dec 11) after a 24-metre guard vessel ran aground near Aber Hywel, triggering a major response from Fishguard RNLI in rough seas and darkness.

The alarm was raised at around 3:30am, with HM Coastguard requesting the launch of Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat. Crews faced a southerly force 7 wind and choppy conditions as they made their way to the stranded vessel.

Cliffs and underwater hazards added to difficulty

Coxswain Gemma Gill said the vessel’s close position to cliffs and submerged obstructions prevented the all-weather lifeboat from getting alongside.

“Because of the casualty vessel’s proximity to the cliffs and the underwater hazards between us, we were unable to safely transfer the four people onboard. I requested the launch of our inshore lifeboat, and we were aware the Coastguard helicopter had also been scrambled.”

The inshore lifeboat was launched minutes later. The crew deployed its anchor and veered down towards the vessel’s stern to begin recovering those onboard.

Casualty swept away in darkness

Crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the plan was for the four people to climb down a rope ladder into their liferaft before being taken aboard the inshore lifeboat.

Two made it safely — but the third slipped and fell into the sea.

“When there is a person in the water you become hyper-focused,” Cedwyn said. “We threw a throw bag, but they were unable to catch it and were starting to be swept further away.”

Helm Warren Bean, an RNLI volunteer with more than 30 years’ experience, manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside the drifting casualty. Crew member Huw was able to reach them, and the team hauled them aboard.

All four casualties were wearing lifejackets and proper safety equipment, which RNLI crews said made a critical difference.

The fourth person was then recovered safely before the inshore crew cut their anchor line to clear nearby rocks.

Lifeboats return to station

All casualties were transferred to the all-weather lifeboat for care and shelter on the return journey. Both lifeboats were back at Fishguard station by 5:25am.

Coxswain Gill praised the volunteers: “This rescue in the early hours, in poor weather and darkness, shows our crews are ready to respond whenever the call comes in. I’m proud of the teamwork shown by everyone, with the successful rescue of four people who will now get the chance to spend Christmas with their families.”

RNLI launches Christmas Appeal

Fishguard RNLI volunteers remain on call throughout the festive period. Last Christmas, RNLI lifeboats across the UK and Ireland launched more than 100 times.

The charity has now launched its annual Christmas Appeal, which helps fund essential kit and training for crews. Donations can be made at: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.