News
Prison for 19-year-old who assaulted female


Guy Bedford: Sent to prison for 30 weeks
A 19-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest appeared before the town’s Magistrates today (Oct 3), after he assaulted a female by beating and breached his restraining order, which was part of a suspended sentence.
Guy Bedford, of Skomer Court, pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted the breach.
Probation Officer Julie Norman told the court that this is the second breach of his suspended sentence and out of the 200 hours of unpaid work he was asked to complete, he has only completed seven hours since it was imposed in July.
Defence Solicitor Michael Kelleher said: “This has come as a shock to Bedford, as he has remained in touch with probation.”
Bedford has spent time behind bars before, and Kelleher explained to the court that since he came out of prison, he has not been able to find permanent accommodation.
Mr Kelleher said: “Sometimes he’s staying in the north of the county, sometimes he stays in the south, and it’s difficult for him to attend appointments. He accepts he breached his restraining order but denies any assault.
“The victim initiated contact and asked for the restraining order to be lifted four times. If you’ve ever seen a case where there’s been mixed signals, this most certainly is it.
“I ask you not to operate the order, and only enforce the sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances. And, in this case, there are.”
After a short retirement, the bench returned to tell the court that Bedford would be sent to prison for a total of 30 weeks.
Crime
Haverfordwest retailer accused of Bounce Back Loan fraud

A HAVERFORDWEST businessman has been accused of committing fraud by making false representations to multiple banks in applications for Government-backed Bounce Back Loans.
Zahid Afzal, 36, of Albert Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Feb 6), where he pleaded not guilty to three charges of fraud by false representation.
The court heard that Afzal, listed on Companies House as a director of Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd, allegedly made false statements to secure loans intended to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prosecutors claim that on May 12, 2020, he falsely stated to Barclays Bank that the application for a Bounce Back Loan was Phone Bits Ltd’s only application. It is further alleged that he made similar false claims to Starling Bank on July 23, 2020, and to Metro Bank on November 22, 2020, in relation to Phones Onn Ltd.
The alleged misrepresentations included inflating the company’s turnover to £200,000 and falsely claiming the loans would be used solely for business purposes.
Afzal’s case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court for trial, with a hearing scheduled for March 10. He was granted unconditional bail.
An interpreter will be required for the proceedings, as Afzal requires assistance in Urdu.
Charity
Young fundraiser’s incredible efforts for RNLI

THE CREW of Tenby RNLI have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to 5-year-old Archie Garland for his outstanding fundraising efforts in support of the station.
Archie took part in the Advent Challenge with the Tenby Aces over Christmas, running a minimum of one mile every day throughout Advent. His dedication saw him cover an impressive 47.3 miles, raising a remarkable £552.25 thanks to generous donations from the local community.
Archie is pictured with (L-R): Deputy Coxswain Gary Waring, his dad and Deputy Coxswain Rob Garland, Deputy Coxswain Dan Young, station full-time mechanic Will Horton, and his mum, Tenby Aces member Claire Thomas.
Crime
Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn launches ambitious four-year policing plan

Public trust at the heart of new strategy
DYFED-POWYS Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has unveiled his four-year Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029, outlining his vision to strengthen public trust and confidence in policing.

The plan, shaped by extensive public consultation, sets out priorities for policing, crime prevention, and the criminal justice system across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Powys. It follows feedback from surveys and focus groups, where residents highlighted their key concerns.
The three core priorities of the plan are:
- Supporting victims and preventing victimisation
- Preventing harm to ensure safer communities
- Enhancing the effectiveness of the justice system
Llywelyn formally launched the plan on Tuesday (Feb 13) at an event attended by key partners and commissioned services. The event focused on collaboration, with discussions on how joint efforts can strengthen crime prevention, victim support, and justice delivery.
Victims at the centre

Commissioner Llywelyn emphasised the importance of ensuring victims receive the right support.
“This plan is built on the views of our communities, focusing on what truly matters to the people of Mid and West Wales,” he said. “Victims must be at the heart of our policing and justice system. It is essential that those affected by crime have access to timely, effective support to help them recover and seek justice. Strengthening services that prevent victimisation is just as important as responding to crime itself.”
Tackling root causes of crime

The plan also prioritises crime prevention by addressing underlying issues.
“By tackling antisocial behaviour and vulnerability, we can reduce harm and build a more resilient society,” Llywelyn said. “A proactive, problem-solving approach will ensure resources are used effectively to protect our communities.”
A joined-up approach to justice
Llywelyn stressed the need for stronger collaboration across the justice system.
“A fair and efficient justice system relies on agencies working together. I will continue to work closely with partners to ensure that policing, the courts, and support services deliver justice fairly and effectively for victims and communities alike.”
The Police and Crime Plan sets out a clear vision for Dyfed-Powys policing over the next four years, focusing on improving public safety, supporting victims, and delivering an efficient justice system.
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