News

Christmas lights safety warning

Published

9 years ago

December 12, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Lucky escape: The fire did not spread throughout the house

CREWS from Milford Haven were called to a fire at a property in Charles Street, Milford Haven in the early hours of Sunday morning (Dec 11).

The fire was confined to the Christmas lights, in the front room of the property. Firefighters used a hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus.

The Fire Service left the incident at 01:03am.

Steve Davies, Deputy Head of Community Safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “This incident could have been much worse had the occupants not been alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm. I would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of fitting a smoke alarm and testing it every week.

“We all love Christmas lights, but we often forget that Christmas lights are used far less than everyday lights, and so require more care.

“When arranging your lights, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions, check that your Christmas lights carry the British Standard sign and replace any bulbs that blow.

“These light bulbs can burn through materials such as paper of fabrics so please do not attach decorations to lights or heaters.

“Make this a Christmas to remember for the right reasons, always ensure that you switch all Christmas lights off and unplug them before leaving the house or going to bed.”

Display your lights in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Ensure you buy Christmas lights from a reputable supplier and carry the British Standard sign.
Check the fuses are the right type.
If bulbs blow, replace them.
Only use outside leads for outside lights.
Test the batteries in your smoke alarm every week. Never remove them.

Don’t

Don’t leave decorative lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep.
Don’t overload sockets and extension leads.
Don’t attach decorations to lights or heaters as they can burn easily.
Don’t let Christmas tree light bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, such as paper or fabrics

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

14 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

14 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

14 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.