News
Tragic soldier ‘suffered from PTSD’
A NARRATIVE conclusion has been delivered in the inquest into the death of a former soldier from Tenby.
Private Lee Bonsall was found hanged at his home in Tenby in 2012, six years after he had first asked to be discharged from the service.
The inquest in Milford Haven heard how Private Lee Bonsall, originally from Nottinghamshire, was believed to have been suffering from undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pte Bonsall, who served in 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, asked to leave the Army in October 2006, but it wasn’t until May 2007 before he was seen by a military psychiatrist, who warned he could deteriorate and be a risk of “self-harm or suicide” if he remained in the forces.
He had struggled to cope with his experiences in Afghanistan and asked to leave shortly after the death of his best friend Private Andrew Cutts. The coroner also heard that Lee had attempted to take his own life soon after leaving the forces by taking an overdose of painkillers, the inquest heard.
He was found hanged by his wife Serena at their home in Tenby in March 2012.
Coroner Mark Layton said he proposed a narrative conclusion as he was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Bonsall’s death can be recorded as a suicide. He said it was unclear that Pte Bonsall intended to kill himself because he was making plans for the future with his wife.
Last year a BBC Panorama investigation, “Broken by Battle”, found he was described by the Army as “dishonest, untrustworthy, unreliable and very unpredictable” and “has consistently been awarded sick leave for numerous reasons.”
The coroner told the soldier’s family he would write to the minister for defence personnel, welfare and veterans, Anna Soubry, to suggest that the procedure for arranging psychiatric appointments is reviewed.
Mrs Bonsall has called on the MoD to give all servicemen mental health assessments when they leave the forces and for them to be forwarded to civilian GPs.Following the conclusion of the inquest Mark Layton backed calls from the former soldier’s family to improve mental health services for personnel leaving the armed forces.
Crime
Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub
Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday
DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an incident reported at Sands Nightclub in Saundersfoot in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).
An 18-year-old man was arrested after officers were called to the venue, which is a popular late-night spot in the seaside village. The allegation relates to events said to have taken place during the early hours of the morning.
Joshua Probert, aged 18, has since been charged with one count of rape. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 18).
The complainant is entitled to lifelong anonymity under law, and no further details about the allegation can be reported at this stage.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. Officers are understood to have carried out initial investigative work shortly after the report was made, including speaking to witnesses.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.
- Anyone affected by sexual assault or rape can contact the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line, run by Rape Crisis England & Wales, on 0808 500 2222. Calls are free and confidential.
Local Government
Mayor visits Milford Haven Library Christmas event
THE MAYOR of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott, paid a visit to Milford Haven Library on Tuesday morning to attend its festive Mince Pie and a Cuppa event.
The event brought together library staff and local residents, with the Mayor thanking staff for their work supporting the community throughout the year. During the visit, Cllr Elliott also spent time speaking with residents who had come along to the event or were visiting the library to borrow books.
Milford Haven Library is part of the Pembrokeshire Libraries service, which provides access to books, information, and community activities across the county.
The Mayor wished residents a Merry Christmas at the close of his visit.
Crime
Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers
A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been jailed for three years and six months.
Alexander Campbell was sentenced on Wednesday (Dec 16) at Swansea Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court heard that Campbell had been in a relationship with his partner, Miss Cox, for six years. On the night of the offence, he returned home highly intoxicated and became argumentative.

Prosecutor Rieve Nesbitt-Marr told the court that Miss Cox advised Campbell to go upstairs and sleep off the alcohol. Instead, he began poking her and told her not to tell him what to do.
Campbell then launched what Miss Cox described as “a flurry of punches that rained down on her.”
Neighbours contacted police after hearing the disturbance. When officers arrived, they found a smashed bowl on the floor and Miss Cox lying on the sofa under a blanket, covering her face.
Body-worn camera footage played in court showed Campbell threatening officers, telling them: “I will turn this place into a f***ing murder scene.”
As officers attempted to separate the parties, PC Thomas placed her arm out to create distance. Campbell grabbed her wrist with force, an assault captured on body-worn video.
He then attacked PC Jones, climbing on top of him and punching him repeatedly, again recorded on police body-worn footage.
PC Thomas later attended Withybush Hospital, where she received four stitches under local anaesthetic. Miss Cox suffered severe facial bruising, with one eye swollen almost shut.
The court was told that Miss Cox’s ten-year-old daughter was upstairs at the property during the incident.
Campbell has 27 previous offences. In mitigation, the court heard that he accepted alcohol turned him into a different person, telling the court: “I’m an ugly person when I drink. I’m a different person when I’m sober.”
Sentencing Campbell, the judge said he knew better than anyone how alcohol affected him.
“You came home in a bad mood and almost predictively, you assaulted her,” the judge said.
“The noise and aggression was such that the neighbour called the police.”
“You gave her a bruise on her face that can only be described as a large shiner.”
“In short, you have injured three people. Your conduct was utterly pathetic, like an overgrown child.”
The judge also referred to Campbell’s violent history, describing him as a “cowardly bully.”
While acknowledging that Campbell had previously complied well with a suspended sentence after removing his own alcohol tag, the judge said custody was unavoidable.
Campbell was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.
Warning him about his future, the judge added: “If you carry on with this behaviour you will spend a lifetime in prison. The only person who can change this is you.”
The court also granted a restraining order for five years.
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