News

CPS given time to reconsider ‘unfair and oppressive’ court proceedings

Published

8 years ago

September 8, 2016

Thomas Sinclair (right) and Matthew Paul (left) at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court (pic. Alan Evans)

THE EDITOR of The Pembrokeshire Herald has been in court today (Sep 8) charged with naming a youth defendant in court proceedings.

Thomas Sinclair, 37, of Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court this morning to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

His barrister, Matthew Paul, successfully argued that Sinclair should not have to make a plea at the hearing, because he raised the point that the Milford Haven Port Authority, the organisation who prosecuted the youth, had also breached the same act of Parliament by releasing a press release which allows the identity of that defendant to be easily discovered.

Matthew Paul told the court that The Port of Milford Haven were effectively acting as the Crown when they secured a conviction against a young fisherman who crashed his boat in 2015.

That prosecuting authority, he said, put a press release on their website which clearly stated the defendant’s place of work.

This is a breach of the same Act of Parliament, albeit a different section, which Mr Sinclair is charged with.

Mr Sinclair accepts that he has no defence to the charge, but in these circumstances, it would be both “unfair and oppressive” to prosecute him.

District Judge, Simon Morgan, told Sinclair: “As a journalist you should know proceedings in the youth court are subject of the 1933 Act.

“Even if this youth had appeared in the adult court, an order prohibiting publication of his identity would have been issued automatically, and as a matter of course due to his age.

“Any journalist not present at the hearing could have contacted the court to check what court orders were in place in relation to the youth who had appeared.”

District Judge Morgan accepted that the CPS should be given time to consider whether the prosecution against Sinclair was in the public interest, in light of the fact they had chosen not to prosecute the Port of Milford Haven.

Barrister Matthew Paul told the court that this is a case where the youth in question was only a few months away from his 18th birthday, had already gained notoriety in both local and national press, and as the captain of a fishing vessel he was in a unique position of responsibility, in charge of both the vessel and lives of the crew.

During the hearing the solicitor representing another client passed his smartphone to Mr Paul. Mr Paul held up the phone and pointed out to the judge that the identity of the youth concerned was there for all to see on the Daily Mail website, at that moment in time, as well as in other national newspapers.

Simply Googling the name of the vessel which, was until recently, on the Port Authority website would have revealed the name of the defendant.

Mr Paul requested 14 days adjournment, but when questioned by the judge the CPS prosecutor requested more time. The judge granted adjournment for 28 days and the case will continue on October 10.

Speaking after the case, Tom Sinclair said: “I do not want to see The Port of Milford Haven prosecuted, what I want is for the CPS to come to their senses and drop this case.”

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

1 day 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

1 day 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.