Judge allows sale of Tesla shares held through Trading 212 as court seeks to establish what assets can be recovered

A HEARING involving jailed drug dealer Austin Hockey was adjourned at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 13) as the court considered what assets may be available for recovery following his conviction in a Pembrokeshire drugs case.

The court heard that Hockey did not attend the hearing and had refused to come before the court.

Barristers said the defendant had no known assets apart from Tesla shares held through the Trading 212 investment platform. Counsel told the court that efforts were continuing to confirm both the exact value of the holding and the amount that could realistically be realised from it.

The judge was told enquiries had been made with Trading 212 in an effort to establish what figure should properly be relied upon for the purposes of the proceedings.

Because of the uncertainty over the true obtainable value of the shares, the judge granted permission for them to be sold so that a realisable figure could be confirmed.

The matter was then adjourned while further information is obtained.

Hockey, 32, of Acrebush Close, Bishopsworth, Bristol, previously appeared before Swansea Crown Court after admitting six drug-related offences linked to dealing in Pembrokeshire. The court heard he had been in possession of MDMA, cannabis and 2C-B with intent to supply in west Wales on December 1, 2023, and had also admitted being concerned in the supply of the same drugs between August 1 and December 2, 2023. Judge Huw Rees remanded him in custody for sentence after ordering a pre-sentence report.

He was later jailed for 3 years and 4 months after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, and possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs. A sentencing summary states he was stopped by police on a roundabout outside Narberth, where officers found cannabis, MDMA tablets and 2C-B tablets, while phones seized in the case contained messages advertising drugs for sale.

The latest Crown Court hearing focused not on Hockey’s guilt or sentence, but on what assets may now be available for confiscation following the Pembrokeshire offences.

A punchier alternative headline is:

Pembrokeshire drug dealer’s Tesla shares at centre of Swansea Crown Court hearing

Private country house venue near St Davids combines elegant celebrations, fine dining and countryside stays

TUCKED away in the Pembrokeshire countryside just a short drive from St Davids, Crug Glas Country House has built a reputation as one of the area’s most exclusive wedding and events venues.

Set among peaceful rural surroundings and restored historic buildings, the venue offers couples and guests a private country house experience where they can celebrate, stay, dine and unwind in stylish surroundings.

Crug Glas is particularly well known for its exclusive-use weddings, giving couples the chance to enjoy the venue as their own for the day. From smaller, intimate ceremonies to larger celebrations, the setting offers flexibility as well as privacy, allowing each wedding to be tailored to suit the couple’s vision.

With elegant interiors, attractive outdoor spaces and dedicated areas for both ceremonies and receptions, the venue is designed to provide a smooth and relaxed flow throughout the day.

Food is also a major part of the Crug Glas experience. The kitchen focuses on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, with menus designed to feel refined while still personal to each event. From wedding breakfasts and private dinners to other celebrations, the dining experience is regularly praised by guests as one of the highlights of the venue.

Crug Glas also hosts Sunday lunches on the last Sunday of every month, offering another chance for visitors to enjoy the setting and its food in a more informal way.

For those staying overnight, the country house offers individually styled rooms combining comfort with character. The accommodation is aimed at giving guests a luxurious but welcoming place to relax, whether they are part of a wedding party, attending a private event, or simply enjoying a countryside break.

While weddings remain at the heart of Crug Glas, the venue is also used for private parties, retreats, workshops and group gatherings. Its adaptable layout and attentive service make it suitable for a wide range of events, while maintaining the same sense of quality and exclusivity.

Guests frequently praise the venue for its peaceful location, high standard of food, beautiful rooms and friendly team, with many describing their stay or event as memorable and seamless from start to finish.

Located in the heart of Pembrokeshire but within easy reach of local towns and coastal attractions, Crug Glas offers a combination of privacy, comfort and understated luxury that continues to make it a popular choice for special occasions.

For wedding bookings, private events and accommodation enquiries, contact Crug Glas Country House directly.

David Chadwick warns disabled people and small businesses are being let down by growing backlogs, long waits and reduced confidence in the system

BRECON, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick has criticised serious delays in the Government’s Access to Work scheme, warning that it is becoming a barrier to employment for disabled people rather than a route into work.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate, the Welsh Liberal Democrat MP said the scheme, which is designed to help disabled people remain in or return to employment, is no longer delivering the support people need when they need it.

Access to Work provides assistance such as specialist equipment, support workers and workplace adaptations, and currently supports more than 74,000 disabled people. It has been widely regarded as good value for money, with studies suggesting it generates £1.48 for every £1 spent.

But demand for the scheme has risen sharply, with waiting lists now standing at around 66,000 people. Applicants are reportedly facing delays of up to 37 weeks for decisions, while some self-employed people have been left waiting for more than a year.

Mr Chadwick, who has previously spoken publicly about being paralysed by Guillain-Barré syndrome, told MPs that he understood first-hand how important practical support can be in helping someone regain their independence and return to work.

He said the current problems with the scheme were having serious real-world consequences, with some people forced to turn down job offers, others struggling to stay in work, and small businesses left uncertain over whether support would be approved.

Concerns were also raised during the debate over the way the scheme operates in practice. These included reports of applicants being made to reapply from scratch even when their circumstances had not changed, lengthy reconsideration processes, and difficulties getting hold of caseworkers.

The debate also heard concerns that applicants in Wales could be unfairly affected by funding decisions, with lower average wages potentially being used to justify lower levels of support.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to cut waiting times, clear the backlog and restore confidence in the scheme.

David Chadwick said: “When I was paralysed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, I know first-hand how frightening it is to wonder if you will ever be able to work again. For many disabled people today, that fear is being made worse by a system that is supposed to support them.

“Access to Work should be a gateway into employment, but right now it is becoming a barrier. People who are ready and willing to work are being let down by delays, bureaucracy and a lack of clarity.

“The consequences are serious. People are losing job opportunities, businesses are losing talented staff, and more individuals are being pushed out of the workforce altogether.

“We should be strengthening this scheme, not allowing it to fall behind. That means urgently tackling the backlog, speeding up decisions and making sure support reflects the real cost of what people need.

“If the Government is serious about getting more disabled people into work, it must fix Access to Work and make it fit for purpose again.”

If you want, I can also turn this into a more balanced Herald version with a DWP response line added and a bit more background.