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News

Paedophile report to remain private

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Mik Smith: The paedophile was nearly allowed to become a foster carer

ANOTHER vote on whether or not a confidential report into how the council dealt with convicted paedophile Mik Smith was defeated by the casting vote of the chairman at a meeting today (Mar 10).

The matter will now be sent to Cabinet for their final decision on the matter.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the matter after it was defeated on the chairman’s vote after a tied vote in the council chamber the previous Thursday (Mar 2).

The report has already been leaked to the press and the committee considered whether or not it should be published to the wider public.

Chief Executive, Mr Ian Westley stated that it was his ‘personal preference’ that the report shouldn’t be published due to an agreement he had with the report’s author.

Other councillors argued that the report contained information which could lead to certain adults and children involved in criminal proceedings to be named.

Cllr Ken Rowlands said it could open up ‘huge wounds’ for the families concerned if the council were to publish the report.

The notice of motion came from Cllr Mike Stoddart who said that Mr Smith had only been prevented from becoming a foster parent by ‘pure luck’.

He went on to say that he was happy for the report to be redacted to protect certain individuals and other councillors supported that statement.

Chief Executive Ian Westley said: “My preference for not releasing this report is nothing whatsoever to do with the content of it and it is nothing whatsoever to do with a cover-up which is terminology I’ve recently seen in the press because I believe that it contains very little, if any, new information that members haven’t already had access to.

“There are a dozen or so officers and others who are referred to by title, my concern there is that some of those titles are individual and not generic and it is quite clear to tell who we are talking about even though they are not named by names.

“The author wrote the report on a confidential basis and has clearly recorded that the report contains sensitive personal information which in accordance with the Data Protection Act, should not be published without the consent of the person concerned.

“The author is identifiable and has expressed opinion within the report that they did not expect would be put into the public domain. From my point of view and my professional dealings with the author, it is my view that the arrangement should be honoured.”

Cllr Stoddart stated that the document was commissioned by a public body and therefore it should be published.

Cllr David Pugh said he had spoken to someone who was closely involved who had told him that people could be identified in the report but when asked if he had read the report, Cllr Pugh said he hadn’t.

Cllr Michael Williams said he was amazed that Cllr Pugh hadn’t read the report before going to the meeting.

Cllr Paul Miller added: “Confidence of the public is critical and I don’t believe it’s ever fully returned following these issues being brought to a head at the start of this council term. We clearly have a responsibility to the children and parents involved in this appalling episode but as we’ve already heard, I don’t feel any children can possibly be identified by reading this report, individual officers, potentially, but I for one don’t feel that we owe anything to individual professionals who failed in their duty to protect the children of this county.”

The matter was put to a recorded vote with Cllrs Mike Stoddart, Paul Miller, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Peter Stock and David Howlett voting for it to be published.

Cllrs Owen James, Rob Summons, David Pugh, David Rees, Tom Richards and Ken Rowlands voted against it being published.

With six voting in favour and six against it was left to the chairman, Cllr Tom Richards, who voted against the report being published.

News

A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

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AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED

THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.

The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.

AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.

Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.

Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.

More updates will follow as information becomes available.

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Crime

Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

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OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.

The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”

No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.

Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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Business

Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

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WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.

At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.

Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.

Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.

Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’

Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.

Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’

To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.

Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.

Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.

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