Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Supreme Court sides with couple in ‘bedroom tax’ case

Published

on

_87949662_87949520

Paul Rutherford: With his grandson Warren (pic. BBC)

SUPREME COURT Judges today (Nov 9) dismissed an appeal by the DWP against Paul and Sue Rutherford following an earlier ruling which found that the ‘bedroom tax’ was unfair and discriminated against the disabled and their carers.

Back in January, judges ruled that the Government’s stance on relying on local authorities providing discretionary support was not a substitute for the full protection afforded to them if the government complied with the provisions of UK law.

The Secretary of the Department of Work and Pensions lost no time in appealing this judgement to the Supreme Court, a decision Llanelli MP Nia Griffith described as ‘disgraceful’.

The Supreme Court Judges found in favour of the Rutherfords, who care for their severely disabled grandson Warren in a specially adapted home that includes a room for professional carers to stay in overnight. Warren, suffers from Potokoi-Shaffer Syndrome, a very rare genetic disorder which means he is unable to walk or talk, and needs 24 hour care by at least two people at all times.

The Conservatives’ bedroom tax meant that a bedroom used by overnight carers who look after him was counted as an additional bedroom whose presence in the family home was surplus to the family’s requirements.

Supreme Court Judges also found in favour of Jacqueline Carmichael, a Spina Bifida sufferer who lives with her husband in a two bedroom flat, but rejected several other cases.

A spokesman for the DWP said: “It is welcome that the court found in our favour in five out of the seven cases.

“The court also agreed with our view that Discretionary Housing Payments are generally an appropriate and lawful way to provide assistance to those who need extra help.

“In the two specific cases where the Court did not find in our favour, we will take steps to ensure we comply with the judgement in due course.”

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags

Published

on

A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.

The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.

“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.

Continue Reading

Crime

Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven

Published

on

A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.

“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.

“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”

Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”

Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.

Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Continue Reading

Crime

Goodwick driver fined for crashing into van and outbuilding

Published

on

A 21-YEAR-OLD motorist has been sentenced for driving on a Pembrokeshire B road and colliding with a parked van and an outbuilding.

Luke Harvey was driving a blue Ford Fiesta along the B4313 at Llanychaer, near Fishguard, at around 11:30pm on May 16, with a male passenger in the car.

“A call was made to the police, reporting that he had hit a van as well as an outbuilding,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

“The people living at the property advised him to stay at the scene, but he insisted on going home. He managed to free his vehicle and drove off towards Fishguard.”

Police traced the car to an address in Fishguard and located Harvey. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, using a vehicle without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Magistrates fined Harvey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.

Continue Reading

Crime1 day ago

Forces in Wales to have more cash to fight crime

WALES’ four police forces will be ‘better supported by the UK Government’, it was announced this week Secretary of State...

News2 days ago

Wales tourism tax: £1.25 levy proposed from 2027

A NEW tourism tax of £1.25 per person per night could be introduced in Wales starting April 2027, following the...

Community3 days ago

Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed

RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just...

News3 days ago

Flooding wreaks havoc across large areas of Wales

FLOODING has wreaked havoc across large areas of Wales following relentless rainfall overnight and into this morning. Weather warnings remain...

Crime4 days ago

Detective Chief Inspector describes child’s death as ‘heartbreaking’

POLICE have described the death of seven-year-old Louis Linse at the hands of his mother as a “heartbreaking incident” that...

News4 days ago

Teenager’s death not linked to bullying or social media, says coroner

A “KIND, strong” teenager who tragically took her own life was not driven to her actions by bullying or social...

Crime5 days ago

Mother admits to killing seven-year-old son in Haverfordwest

A mother has admitted to the manslaughter of her seven-year-old son at their home in Haverfordwest, citing diminished responsibility. Papaipit...

Business6 days ago

Specsavers relocates to landmark new store following £1.2 million investment

HAVERFORDWEST will celebrate the opening of Wales’ largest Specsavers store on Monday 16 December 2024, following a transformative £1.2 million...

News6 days ago

Tribute paid to ‘kind and caring’ solicitor who died in crash

THE FAMILY of Emily Thornton-Sandy, a 30-year-old woman from Pontarddulais who tragically lost her life following a collision, have paid...

News6 days ago

Teachers were ‘absolutely horrible’ to a girl who died after cyber-bullying

A 14-YEAR-OLD girl who died following a harrowing cyberbullying campaign was “let down at every possible opportunity” by her school,...

Popular This Week