News

Swan ‘killers’ in court

Published

8 years ago

March 14, 2017

Swans: The family in Withybush Woods before the shootings (pic. The Herald)

THREE people accused of shooting four swans at Withybush Woods in October last year appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Law Court today (Mar 14).

There should have been four people in the dock, however Joseph Lawson, accused of jointly harming a swan with his co-defendants, did not attend court.

Magistrates issued a warrant without bail and hoped he would be brought to court immediately, before officers became aware that Lawson was in Mansfield.

The defendants who decided to show up to the hearing were: 32-year-old Gareth George Mattson of Goshawk Road in Haverfordwest; 24-year-old Benjamin Phillips of Jury Lane in Haverfordwest; and a 13-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The 13-year-old boy and Phillips both pleaded guilty to the charges against them, however Mattson denied the allegation.

Prosecutor, Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, told the court that a problem with the swans was reported to Maria Evans of the Wildlife Trust. Ms Evans attended Withybush Woods on October 20, and could see a female adult swan was dead, but she was unable to recover it.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “The swan still hasn’t been recovered, and may still be there unless it has been taken away by a predator.”

He explained to the court that the following day, a cygnet had been found on the bank of the lake and was recovered. It was taken to All Pets Vet Care in Milford Haven for a veterinary examination.

At this point, it was still alive.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “It had received an injury to its wings. An x-ray taken of its wing showed fragments of an air pellet. The main bone had completely severed and was out of alignment. It had completely snapped.

“There were four or five metal fragments in its wing. It had to be put down, as it was unable to make a recovery.”

Three days later, a male swan was found dead in the same location. This bird was too taken to All Pets Vet Care, and underwent an X-Ray.

Mr Pritchard-Jones explained: “One pellet was in the middle of the abdomen, and one was near the joint of the leg by the hip joint.”

A fourth cygnet was recovered by the RSPCA the following day, which had damage to its wing consisting of a ‘soft tearing injury’.

Mr Pritchard-Jones told the court that there was no pellet found in that cygnet. However the wound ‘could’ have been made by a pellet passing through.

He went on to say that after police had made enquiries, suspicion fell on the four defendants. They made prepared statements, and the police and prosecution pieced together what had happened from these.

There were no eyewitnesses.

Phillips told officers that ‘the plan was to shoot some rabbits’, but they found none, and instead decided to look for ducks to shoot instead.

Mr Phillips said: “The swan was shot and I took a shot to put it out of its misery. I aimed for its head but I missed. The gun was passed around.

“I regret bitterly that I became involved. Things got out of hand. This was not a prank – it was a big mistake.”

The court heard that before the shooting of the swans commenced, there was a discussion about whether it should be done or not. The court heard that the 13-year-old had said: “I think it would be funny as f**k.”

Defending the 13-year-old boy, Katy Hanson, said: “He is only 13 and has no previous convictions. He’s never been in trouble, and it’s incredibly sad to see someone so young here today.

“What he says, is he had gone shooting and assumed that it was okay to have an air rifle. He not got a great knowledge of the law, and trusted adults not to lead him astray.

“He was with three people who were significantly older. They suggested shots should be taken at the swans and the gun was passed to him. He took one shot, and purposefully missed the swan.”

Ms Hanson continued: “He has ADHD and hyperactivity disorder. His mother is horrified by the incident and trusted [the adults] to look after him.

“This has had a huge impact on his life. He had difficulty sleeping and eating. He is in school, and finds things stressful.”

Magistrates imposed a 12 month referral order, and ordered that the 13-year-old pay £85 prosecution costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Magistrates then turned their attention to dealing with Phillips.

A report from the probation service said that he felt an ‘immense’ amount of peer pressure, and that if he was in this situation again he would call the RSPCA.

Defence solicitor, David Williams, said: “My client recognises the immense public disapproval and upset that his participation has caused.

“Phillips took three to four shots to put the swan out of its misery. He did not shoot at any of the other swans, and was not in possession of the gun after he had done what I have described.”

Mr Williams commented on the fact that it has taken five months for the matter to come to court, and explained what has happened in Phillips’ life in that time. He said: “The public disapproval has manifested itself in worse ways.

“On March 10, my client’s family car was vandalised. It had on its bonnet, on one side from front to back and on one wheel arch, obscene words scratched on it. I won’t repeat the obscenities, but one was ‘swan killer’.”

The chair of the bench told Phillips: “This is a difficult and distressing case. The community feel very strongly about the case, and we believe it has crossed the custody threshold.”

Magistrates sentenced Phillips for four months imprisonment, suspended for a total of 12 months. He must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and complete a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also pay £85 prosecution costs and £115 victim surcharge.

A trial date for Mattson was set, and will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at 10am at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

He was released on bail until then, on condition that he made no contact with prosecution witnesses.

Entertainment

Paddle steamer Waverley returns to Pembrokeshire ports this summer

Published

2 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer, Waverley, is set to steam back into South West Wales this summer, with scheduled stops in Tenby, Fishguard, and Milford Haven.

Waverley will sail the Bristol Channel from June 2 to June 25, offering a series of scenic day trips and evening cruises. Among the standout voyages is the Pembrokeshire Islands Explorer Cruise departing Milford Haven on Monday, June 2, taking passengers around Skokholm, Skomer, and Ramsey islands — a rare chance to take in some of Wales’ best wildlife and coastal scenery from the deck of a historic steamship.

Tenby residents will want to mark Tuesday, June 24, in their calendars, as Waverley makes her only appearance in the town this year. The day includes a cruise from Penarth to Tenby’s picturesque harbour, followed by an evening sailing past Caldey Island and along the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline en route to Milford Haven.

Waverley will round off her Welsh visit on June 25 with her first public sailing from Fishguard in more than three decades — a momentous occasion for the port town.

Other highlights in the packed itinerary include three trips to the remote Lundy Island (June 3, 15, and 17), where passengers can enjoy time ashore exploring the rugged island where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic.

As part of this year’s Railway 200 celebrations, Waverley will also link up with three heritage steam railways — the West Somerset, Brecon Mountain, and Lynton & Barnstable lines — offering passengers a unique opportunity to combine steamship travel with a nostalgic train ride.

This season also sees more evening cruises than ever before. On June 9, passengers can enjoy a tranquil evening journey up the River Severn from Penarth, passing under its iconic bridges. Another evening cruise, taking in the Holms islands on June 20, will help raise funds for the restoration of the historic Motor Vessel Balmoral.

On June 18, the Captain’s Choice Cruise sails from Porthcawl to Minehead before tracing the dramatic Exmoor coastline to Ilfracombe. Passengers from Porthcawl will also have the option to take the West Somerset Railway or explore the towns of Minehead and Ilfracombe — or even head over to Lundy.

While on board, passengers can experience the magic of steam travel — hear the ship’s telegraph ring, peer into the Engine Room, and watch the paddles turn through portholes. With full catering on board, guests can enjoy anything from a light snack and afternoon tea to a hot meal in the saloon or a drink in one of Waverley’s period-style lounges. A souvenir shop is also available for those looking to take home a memento.

The iconic vessel is currently in Glasgow receiving over £1 million worth of maintenance and upgrades ahead of the 2025 season, which also marks 50 years since Waverley was saved for the nation and began sailing in preservation.

Captain Dominic McCall, Waverley’s skipper, said: “We’ve put together a fantastic schedule for South West Wales so that both locals and visitors can enjoy a trip on this unique vessel. I’m especially looking forward to cruising the Bristol Channel again — it’s one of my favourite stretches of water.”

To help make sailings more accessible, coach pick-up points have been arranged at various locations including Bridgend and Chepstow.

Special ticket deals are available throughout the season, including ‘kids for £1’ (ages 5–16), free travel for under 5s, and free companion tickets for seniors on selected dates.

Cruises start in Scotland on May 16 before Waverley heads south to Wales.

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224.

News

Social care crisis reveals urgent need for funding reform

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Jon Coles

INCREASING demand, flatlining budgets, and systemic neglect are pushing adult social care to the brink—especially in rural areas like Pembrokeshire.

Across Wales and England, councils are sounding the alarm: local government funding is no longer sufficient to sustain social care services without sacrificing other essential provisions. Pembrokeshire, facing one of the steepest funding gaps in Wales, is at the sharp end of the crisis.

Mounting pressures on councils

In Wales alone, councils identified £106 million in in-year pressures for adult social care in 2024–25, with a further £223 million forecasted—amounting to 40% of all local government funding pressures. An ageing population and increasingly complex care needs are driving costs ever higher. National projections suggest that by 2037, spending on community care services for older people will have risen by 177%.

Pembrokeshire is particularly exposed. The county’s demographic profile, combined with historic underfunding, leaves it struggling to meet rising demand. The gap between the actual cost of providing care and the budget allocated to pay for it is one of the widest in Wales.

When social care costs exceed budget forecasts, councils are left with stark choices: cut other services, lay off staff, or dip into reserves. Pembrokeshire County Council has established a reserve fund to tackle in-year pressures—but this is a temporary fix, not a long-term solution.

The consequences are already visible. Day-care closures, reductions in library and leisure funding, and hiring freezes have all taken their toll. County Hall, once a hub of local services, is now a ghost of its former self.

Care homes under strain

While councils administer social care budgets, most care home services in Pembrokeshire are delivered by private providers—businesses that must remain profitable to survive. Yet the rates they receive vary wildly between counties. Pembrokeshire pays higher rates than its neighbours, but even this is not enough to guarantee stability.

Care homes face rising costs, particularly from increases to National Insurance and the Real Living Wage. One local group running six care homes reports a £150,000 annual cost increase due to these changes. This raises the risk of closures and forces families to shoulder top-up fees.

Smaller, independent care homes—of which Pembrokeshire has many—are particularly vulnerable. Without urgent intervention, some may shut their doors for good.

Chronic staff shortages

Recruiting and retaining staff in rural areas is another serious challenge. Pembrokeshire’s geography and limited transport infrastructure make it harder to attract qualified care workers. The result is high workloads, stress, and burnout for existing staff.

Domiciliary care services are especially strained. Community providers such as Community Interest Care CIC rely heavily on overseas staff, as many local residents are unwilling or unable to take up care work. The reasons are clear: physically demanding roles, unsocial hours, and poor pay compared to less stressful jobs.

According to Care Inspectorate Wales, nearly a quarter of social care workers are experiencing financial hardship, and a significant number are dissatisfied with their pay.

The burden of unpaid care

The crisis extends beyond formal care. Research from Carers Week shows that 23% of Welsh adults—around 584,000 people—now provide unpaid care to family or friends, the highest proportion in the UK. In total, unpaid care in Wales is estimated to be worth £8.1 billion annually.

This hidden workforce provides 96% of all care, often at enormous personal cost. Nearly half of unpaid carers have given up paid work, while many more have cut back on food, heating, or transport to make ends meet. Over half say they cannot manage monthly expenses, and a growing number are turning to foodbanks.

Yet the Welsh and UK governments continue to rely on unpaid carers as a cornerstone of their care strategy, offering minimal financial support in return. While small-scale grants exist, access is limited and the process is often confusing and burdensome.

A system in denial

The situation lays bare two urgent and interlinked policy failures: the outdated model of local government finance and the fragmented, underfunded system of social care provision.

Councils are being asked to deliver 21st-century care with 20th-century funding tools. Piecemeal reform—pilot schemes, short-term pots of money, and local fixes—cannot address the scale of the challenge.

Comprehensive reform is needed, but political appetite is lacking. Promised reviews of local government funding remain stalled, while plans to better integrate health and social care remain vague and underfunded. The idea of a national care service has merit, but no roadmap exists—nor any clarity on how such a service would be paid for.

The uncomfortable truth is that as people live longer, often with complex conditions, the cost of care will only increase. Without bold action and honest debate—on taxation, on responsibilities, and on priorities—the crisis in social care will deepen.

And in places like Pembrokeshire, the cracks are already wide open.