News

Swan killer sentenced for ‘disgusting’ act

Published

8 years ago

March 28, 2017

Tom Sinclair

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

A 19-YEAR-OLD man who killed a family of swans at Withybush Woods in Haverfordwest with three other people appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court today (Mar 28).

Joseph Lawson, who now lives in Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to possessing an air weapon in a public place, possessing 0.9 grams of cannabis and jointly killing swans.

Lawson had also failed to attend the previous hearing relating to the death of the swans, and was charged with failing to appear at court.

Prosecutor, Vaughan Pritchard-Jones said: “This case has attracted public and press attention. A family of swans were shot and suspicion fell on three men and one youth.

“Enquiries were made, and police spoke to a lady who live in the same block of flats as Lawson. He turned up and asked her to hide his air rifle and said the police were after him.”

The court heard that the lady in question was very unwell, and agreed to hide the rifle.

He continued: “He turned up the next day to collect it, and she overheard that he wanted to get rid of the gun because he didn’t want the police to match the pellets with it. He asked her to give him an alibi. However, she told the police and he was arrested with three others.

“This was a joint enterprise, and they are all equally responsible. One adult pleaded not guilty, the youth was given a referral order and the other adult, Phillips, was given a four month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.”
He told the court that in total, four people went out shooting, and Lawson believed that Mattson, who has pleaded not guilty, had permission to shoot on private land.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said that Lawson claims he has suffered from a lack of sleep since the incident.
He said: “His intentions were to get a rabbit or a duck to eat. They started to try and find them, but found none.”

In his statement, Lawson said: “I had the gun. I am not from here, and I don’t know the area very well. We went to the woods and saw a pond but there were no ducks.”

He explained that there was a conversation about shooting ducks, to which the youth said would be ‘funny as f**k’.

He said: “I am easily led, and I shot the swan. As soon as I did it I put my head down in disgrace. I could not believe what I had done.”

He said in his statement, that he told the group that they needed to kill the swan to put it out of its misery, to which his co-defendant, Benjamin Phillips, said ‘It’s f***ing evil leaving it like that’.

He added: “It’s the lowest thing you can do, like. I’ve been feeling very low and have thought about suicide. I get help by phoning my mum.”

Mr Pritchard-Jones explained that four swans were injured in total. The wing of a cygnet had been ‘completely severed’, and was alive when it was recovered, but had to be put down by a vet.

The male swan was found dead with two pellets in its body: One in its wing, and another in its abdomen. Another cygnet also had tearing injuries, which implied that a pellet had passed through it.

Probation officer, Julie Norman, said: “This is a very unpleasant case. He bought the rifle a few days before, and the plan was to go out shooting ducks.

“It was around 8pm so would have been pitch black. He said there was peer pressure on him, and he made one shot, and the others took the rest.”

She continued: “He has mental health issues. Alongside that, he has chronic substance misuse and self harms. He has scars on his arms, and he self harmed yesterday (Mar 27) in police custody.”

Defence solicitor, David Williams, said: “I wish to express on his behalf his sincerest apologies and deep remorse of becoming involved in this incident.

“He is a young man and has never been to prison before. He has significant mental health problems. He has struggled with his mental health from the age of 8-years-old. His recent self harm was when he handed himself in yesterday.”

Mr Williams also explained that Lawson has psychosis and borderling split personality disorder.

Lawson told the court: “I am very sorry for my actions and what I have done.”

Chair of the bench, Cllr David Simpson, told Lawson: “We think that what you have done is disgusting. If you have read the local paper, you will have seen the anger and venom produced from this. People have been disgusted.”

Lawson was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He must also pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 prosecution costs and £60 towards veterinary costs.

News

Local nurses shine at national awards

Published

4 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IT WAS another night of success for Hywel Dda University Health Board’s nursing team with two winners and one runner up at this year’s Royal College of Nurses (RCN) Wales Nurse of the Year Awards.

The prestigious annual awards took place in Cardiff on Thursday (Nov 21) to celebrate the innovation and excellence in practice, acknowledging the outstanding efforts, commitment and achievements of our nursing community across Wales.

Many congratulations go to Claire Hurlin, Strategic Head of Community and Chronic Conditions Management, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award and Donna Major, Senior Ward Sister, winner of the Registered Nurse (Adult) Award. Bianca Oakley, Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, was awarded runner up in the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award.

Sharon Daniel, Interim Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at the health board said: “I’m delighted and very proud that our nurses in Hywel Dda have been recognised again in this annual event. The awards provide a great opportunity for nurses, students, support workers and midwives to showcase the difference they make to the lives of people we care for. Congratulations to you all.”

Claire Hurlin, Strategic Head of Community and Chronic Conditions Management won the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work to construct the trial of an asthma interface nurse, linking together pharma, primary care and specialist difficult asthma care. As a result, the team has expanded, resulting in more patients receiving specialist treatments.

She commented: “It is a real privilege to accept this award. I am grateful to be in a profession that I am passionate about and had the opportunity to work with so many nurses and health care professionals to make a difference.”

Donna Major, Senior Ward Sister, winner of the Registered Nurse (Adult) Award for her work to improve the care of frailty and dementia patients. She explored innovative ways of improving safety and outcomes for patients on the frailty ward, which included milkshake rounds, hydration, snack self-service, gardening, book and luncheon club. She also was pivotal in establishing the Frailty Assessment Unit and ‘Art in Health’ weekly activities for inpatients living with dementia in Glangwili Hospital.

She commented: “I was very shocked and delighted to receive this award and it was a wonderful, very inspiring evening highlighting our fantastic Welsh nursing workforce and the positive impact they have on patient care everyday.”

Bianca Oakley, Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, was awarded runner up in the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award for her work developing a Community Same Day Urgent Care Service. This has helped give patients access to care closer to home and reduced pressures on general hospital sites. She is also actively involved in research such as point-of-care testing in remote areas to improve and enable timely safe care to be delivered to patients, closer to their homes.

She added “It was a great privilege to be awarded runner up for the second year running in these awards. I am incredibly proud of our team in Ceredigion’s Same Day Urgent Care and Outreach service who have worked tirelessly over the last three years to provide advanced care closer to home. Being nominated was only possible because of their hard work and dedication.”

For more information about the winners and finalists, visit: Nurse of the Year Award Winners 2024 | Wales | Royal College of Nursing

Crime

Police appeal for information after hate incident in Clynderwen

Published

4 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating a hate incident in the Clynderwen area after graffiti was sprayed on the home of a victim, causing distress to the occupants.

The incident occurred on Sunday, September 8, at around 12:40am. Despite extensive enquiries, investigating officers are appealing for public assistance in identifying the individual pictured who may hold vital information.

If you have any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the following channels:

Online: Submit information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 101

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please quote reference 24*783192 when providing information.

News

Assisted Dying Bill moves forward after emotional Commons debate

Published

4 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, spearheaded by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, has passed its second reading in the House of Commons with a majority of 55 votes. A historic 330 MPs supported the measure, while 275 opposed it.

The bill proposes allowing terminally ill adults with less than six months to live the option to seek medical assistance to end their lives. Following Friday’s (Nov 29) vote, the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for detailed scrutiny. It will also be debated in the House of Lords before potentially becoming law.

MPs divided over assisted dying

The vote was conducted as a free vote, enabling MPs to act according to their conscience rather than along party lines. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves were among those who backed the proposal. However, other senior figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, voted against it, citing concerns over coercion and fears of a “slippery slope” towards euthanasia.

A five-hour debate in the Commons saw emotional arguments on both sides. Former Conservative minister Andrew Mitchell shared his shift in perspective, recounting the moving stories of constituents who watched loved ones suffer “in great pain and indignity.”

In contrast, Labour veteran Diane Abbott expressed concerns that the bill could pressure vulnerable individuals, stating: “Sick people may feel like a burden on society.” She warned that passing the bill could see the NHS become “a fully-funded 100% suicide service,” while palliative care remains underfunded.

‘Choice and dignity’ at the heart of the bill

Introducing the bill, Ms Leadbeater emphasised the importance of giving terminally ill patients “choice, autonomy, and dignity,” arguing the current law is failing them.

“This is about ensuring that those who are dying are afforded the care and respect they deserve,” she said, highlighting the bill’s stringent safeguards.

Under the proposed law, two independent doctors and a high-court judge must approve each case. Additionally, patients would need to self-administer the medication, ensuring their consent is clear and voluntary. The bill also imposes a 14-year prison sentence for anyone found to have coerced a person into seeking assisted dying.

Supporters rally outside Parliament

Outside the Commons, campaigners from Dignity in Dying held a demonstration in support of the bill. Protesters called for legal changes to provide terminally ill individuals with greater control over their end-of-life choices.

The debate continues to divide public opinion, but Friday’s vote marks a significant step towards potentially changing the law in England and Wales.

The legislation will now undergo further examination in committee and will face additional debate in the House of Lords. Both sides of the debate are preparing for intense scrutiny of the proposed safeguards and ethical implications.