News

Judge demands inquiry into Haverfordwest court knife incident

Published

9 years ago

March 6, 2017

A JUDGE has said today he expected an inquiry into how a defendant managed to get a knife passed security at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Lukasz Robert Pawlowski, aged 33, even got the knife into the dock of a court where he used it to slash his own throat while magistrates considered what sentence to pass.

Pawlowski, of Pembroke Dock, had to be airlifted to Swansea’s Morriston hospital after the incident on January 11.

Pawlowski appeared before Judge Paul Thomas at Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced for the original offence of sexual assault and now also possessing a knife in a public place.

Judge Thomas said he expected an inquiry.

“This was a serious breach of court security. I have little doubt others will be in trouble because of it,” he added.

Robin Rouch, prosecuting, said the first offence took place on October 30 when Pawlowski walked into a shop in Pembroke Dock and asked a 30 year old assistant for a kiss. She refused but he leant over the counter and kissed her.

Pawlowski then asked for details about the prices of alcohol. When she stepped from behind the counter to help him he grabbed her and kissed her on the lips.

“She began to cry. Afterwards, she said she felt dirty and thought she could no longer work in the shop unless the manager was there,” added Mr Rouch.

Pawlowski was arrested and told police he has “misread” the situation and was sorry.

Pawlowski appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on January 11 to be sentenced.

Mr Rouch said magistrates needed to read a pre sentence report prepared by a probation officer. While they were doing that Pawlowski was allowed to use a toilet and returned to the dock 60 seconds later.

The court clerk noticed he was rustling through a bag and then saw him apparently scratching the right side of his neck. Although no blood was visible at first it became clear he was holding a knife and then Pawlowski made a “concerted” effort to cut his throat.

He bled profusely and was found to be clutching a black kitchen knife with a three inch blade.

Mr Rouch said three mental health nurses attending a neighbouring courtroom went to his assistance and he was airlifted to hospital.

Mr Rouch said he had made a serious effort to injure himself.

It transpired, he added, that Pawlowski had hidden the knife in the toilet after entering the court building but before he went into the courtroom.

Jon Tarrant, the barrister representing Pawlowski, said it appeared he had got it into his head that he would go to prison, although that wasn’t the case.

“He appears to have misread that too,” said Mr Tarrant.

Pawlowski was later remanded into custody and held at Parc prison near Bridgend.

Judge Thomas said it was ironic that Pawlowski had been afraid of going to jail and then had done something which would land him in jail.

He said he found the case unique.

He told Pawlowski, “You have caused a great deal of alarm and distress to the people who saw what you were doing.”

And he told him it had been “very wrong” to grab a woman and kiss her on the lips.

Drunkenness appeared to be behind it, he added, but that was no excuse.

Judge Thomas said Pawlowski had served two months in jail on remand and that was enough.

Pawlowski was made the subject of a three year community order and told to complete 10 days of a rehabilitation activity. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and to register with the police as a sex offender for the next five years.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from making contact with his sex victim.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

3 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

9 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.