News

Council considers moving pupils from Ysgol Dewi Sant

Published

9 years ago

March 22, 2017

THE COUNTY COUNCIL is considering moving pupils from Ysgol Dewi Sant to other schools in Pembrokeshire after what has been described to councillors as ‘a health and safety issue’ was identified.

The issue, the Herald can confirm, is the presence of asbestos in existing classrooms.

The Council has acted promptly to form a contingency plan to deal with the need to close part of Ysgol Dewi Sant and one of the measures under consideration is decanting students away from the school.

Asbestos, which was used as a cheap fire retardant in the past, is stable in the form usually used in construction.

There is no suggestion either students or teachers at YDS are at risk at the present time. However, when asbestos is broken up, as it would be during renovation work, the particles can be inhaled and cause lethal lung and respiratory diseases in later life.

As the school building will be substantially ‘knocked around’ during planned changes under the Council’s ambitious 21st Century Schools scheme, the Council is considering its options to ensure students and staff are safe during the works.

A spokesperson for the Council told us: ‘Most schools of a similar type and age as Ysgol Dewi Sant tend to have asbestos. This is rigorously monitored, and schools are fully aware of the location and type. Governing bodies hold a school health and safety policy, which specifically covers the management of asbestos.”

The presence of asbestos is not the only consideration for the Council, however. The other matters to be considered are the implications of noise and disruption to pupils during the work programme and lack of sufficient play areas.

The Council told us: ‘We are in very early stages of design with regard to the new 3-16 school in St Davids and Solva.

‘The County Council fully appraises all risks during design stage and refurbishment works in accordance with relevant health and safety guidelines. It will implement safety measures to mitigate against these risks prior to commencement of any project, and in relation to any re-location issues if and when they arise’.

At a meeting of Ysgol Dewi Sant’s governors on Tuesday night (Mar 21), Cabinet member for Education and St Davids County Councillor delivered a prepared statement regarding the County Council’s plans.

Cllr Lloyd told his fellow governors: “As part of its 21st Century Schools Programme, the Council is in the process of developing a scheme which would result in a part redevelopment of the Ysgol Dewi Sant site. A preferred scheme has been identified which would result in the demolition of an existing school block to be replaced by new accommodation; this would result in the rationalisation of capacity identified as part of the original case for change for St David’s, i.e. the removal of surplus places.

“However, in order to carry out the above there is a need to consider how to operate the school during the demolition and construction phases. As you are aware the school occupies a constrained site which offers little flexibility; consequently, the Council is considering various pupil decanting options, including a temporary re-location to another school site.

“In considering such options, the Council is mindful of the need to minimise disruption and to ensure the safety of pupils and staff alike.

“Currently, the Council is discussing the possibility of utilising part of the Tasker Milward school site in Haverfordwest for this purpose – some preliminary discussions are taking place with the Trustees of the Tasker Milward and Picton Trust and the Headteacher. A number of practical issues have been identified and these will need to be resolved before a decision is made. “

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

13 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

19 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.

Multiple assault allegations
The charges listed before magistrates include:
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional strangulation
Common assault of a woman
Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
A breach of bail conditions

The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.

Bail breached — defendant remanded

On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.

He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.

The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

36 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.