News

Paramedic’s ‘nasty assault’ is ‘tragic’

Published

9 years ago

March 17, 2017

Justin Chilvers: Likely to lose his job after ‘nasty’ assault

A PARAMEDIC who assaulted a woman appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Mar 15).

30-year-old Justin John Chilvers, who now lives in Reading, initially pleaded not guilty to the charge and arrived at Haverfordwest Law Court prepared for a trial, however pleaded guilty at the last minute.

The court heard that on October 22 last year, Chilvers had gone out in the evening with a female, along with eight other friends, who all consumed alcohol.

Prosecuting, Vaughan Pritchard- Jones, said that Chilvers had over ten pints that night, and is also on anti-depressants. The complainant said she had over a bottle of wine and five double vodkas.

Mr Pritchard-Jones explained: “This was a nasty assault. It was around 3-4am, the morning after their night out. There was a lock in at the RAFA Club in St Davids. The defendant became involved in a confrontation with another man, and the complainant and one other person ended up outside.

“Chilvers asked the complainant to walk away, but she didn’t want to because she had left her bag inside. However, she walked down an alleyway with him.”

Mr Pritchard-Jones went on to say that Chilver started ‘having a go’ at the victim, saying she hadn’t supported him when he had been confronted in the nightclub, and she just ‘stood by’.

“The next thing she remembers,” said Mr Pritchard-Jones, “he pushed her hard and she fell to the ground. He kicked her to the leg and upper body, and she felt a number of blows coming in, but she couldn’t say where they were coming from or what they were with.”

He continued: “She was pulled back up to her feet and they moved further down the alleyway. He pushed her over again, and he got on top of her, placed his hands around her neck and began to strangle her.”

The court heard that the victim said when Chilvers stopped, he looked like he was in ‘complete shock’, as if he ‘couldn’t believe what he had done’.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said she then started walking in front of him back to the club, and when she got a bit of distance between them, she ran. He ran after her, and rugby tackled her to the floor, causing grazing injuries.

It was at that point that people came out of the RAFA Club and the assault stopped.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “The defendant admitted putting his hand around her throat, and said he did it inside the pub to bring her outside for her own protection. He admitted kicking but only once.”

Photographs of the victim’s injuries were shown to the court, which depicted multiple bruises on both sides of her neck, her shoulder and her leg.

Mr Pritchard-Jones described these as ‘nasty’ bruises.

The victim’s statement was read out to court, in which she said she now feels too scared to go out after dark. Her mother has had to take two weeks off work to support her, and her father has also had to have time off.

She said she feels worried and anxious, and has difficulty sleeping. However, she said she wishes Chilvers ‘all the best’, and hopes he ‘learns from his mistakes and has a good life’.

Speaking in Chilvers’ defence, Paul Gilmartin told the court that Chilvers was attacked by three men that night before this incident, which was an unprovoked attack. He claimed that the victim had tried to intervene, and Chilvers got hold of her and ‘pulled her out’.

He also said that after the assault, when she decided to go back to the club, Chilvers felt she shouldn’t have gone back ‘for her own good’, which is why he brought her ‘to the ground’.

Mr Gilmartin said: “He accepts full responsibility and shouldn’t have behaved in that way. Chilvers has come from a very difficult family. Other members of his family have found themselves on the wrong side of the law, but Chilvers has taken a different path. But, his past was there to catch up with him.”

He also told the magistrates that Chilvers will now likely lose his job as a paramedic, and is contemplating joining the military.

After being asked to choose a financial penalty rather than a community order or custodial sentence, the chair of the bench said: “We have taken an unusual step of not going for reports.

“We consider this a category two offence, which is very serious. This is quite tragic. You will probably lose your job. You as a paramedic must have seen the effects of alcohol and drugs.”

Chilvers was ordered to pay a £720 fine, £72 victim surcharge, £350 prosecution costs, and £1,000 compensation to the victim.

A restraining order was also imposed, which restricts Chilvers from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, or entering Pembrokeshire at all.

News

Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected

COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe weather after the Met Office issued an amber “danger to life” warning for heavy rain, covering the county from 4:00am to 9:00pm on Monday (Dec 15).

Up to 80mm of rain is expected widely, with 100mm possible on higher ground in north Pembrokeshire and the Preseli foothills. With rivers already running high following weeks of persistent wet weather, Natural Resources Wales says there is a heightened risk of flooding in low-lying areas, including parts of Haverfordwest, Remington Bridge, Merlin’s Bridge, Tenby, Neyland and along the Western Cleddau.

Travel disruption likely

The Met Office warns that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life, with road flooding likely on key Pembrokeshire routes such as the A40, A487 and A478. Bus and rail services may face disruption.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers would be monitoring known flood hotspots throughout Monday and urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel during the worst of the downpours.

A police spokesperson said: “Please plan ahead. Do not risk driving through floodwater. Conditions may change very quickly.”

Yellow warnings already in place

A yellow rain warning is active for southwest Wales from midnight tonight (Sun 14 Dec). A separate yellow warning for mid and north Wales began this afternoon.

Pembrokeshire County Council said its highways and emergency planning teams are on standby, with extra staff monitoring river gauges and drainage across the county. Sandbags are available where required.

Residents urged to prepare

Natural Resources Wales is advising residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions today, including:

Checking local flood alerts
Moving valuables upstairs where possible
Securing outdoor items against strong winds
Checking on vulnerable neighbours

The Herald understands that emergency services expect the heaviest rainfall between 6:00am and 3:00pm on Monday, with further unsettled weather forecast later in the week.

More updates to follow

This is a developing story. The Pembrokeshire Herald will bring live updates as information comes in from the Met Office, NRW, PCC and emergency services.

Health

Major investment confirmed for GP services in Wales

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Government unveils £41m boost, but practices warn pressures remain acute

MORE than £41m in extra funding will go into general practice in Wales this year following a new agreement between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and GP leaders. Ministers say the deal provides stability at a time of rising demand — but the settlement comes against a backdrop of sustained pressures, recruitment challenges and concerns over patient access.

The package includes a 4% uplift to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract for 2025-26, in line with independent DDRB pay recommendations, and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent uplift from 2026-27. The Welsh Government says the multi-year commitment will allow practices to plan ahead, modernise systems and strengthen community-based services.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the investment showed an “unwavering commitment” to general practice, adding: “The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice staff who work tirelessly to deliver care for communities across our country. Multi-year funding gives practices the confidence to invest in the transformation primary care needs.”

However, the announcement comes at a time when many Welsh practices continue to report severe workforce pressures, rising demand, and longstanding challenges in recruiting new partners. GP numbers have fallen over the past decade, with some practices handing back contracts or operating list closures because of unsustainable workloads. Patient satisfaction with access has also declined, according to the latest Welsh GP Patient Survey.

What the deal includes

The settlement for 2025-26 comprises £37.9m of new investment and £4m in re-invested capacity funding, with the key elements including:

A 1.77% uplift in expenses, intended to help practices manage inflationary pressures in energy, staffing and running costs.
A recurrent £20m stabilisation fund to support practices facing immediate operational pressures and to prepare for wider reform under the incoming Sustainable Farming Scheme model for health.
An increased partnership premium, aimed at retaining experienced GPs and encouraging new partners into a model that some say has become less attractive due to financial and regulatory risk.
A full review of the GMS allocation formula — the first in more than 20 years — which determines how funding is distributed between practices. Some rural and deprived communities have long argued the current system does not reflect the complexity of local health needs.

Wider context

General practice remains the foundation of the NHS, accounting for around 90% of patient contacts, yet it receives a proportionally small share of the overall health budget compared with hospital services. Both the Welsh NHS Confederation and GPC Wales have repeatedly warned that without sustained investment, primary care risks being unable to meet increasing demand from ageing populations and rising chronic illness.

The Welsh Government’s own “community-by-design” programme relies on shifting more care closer to home, reducing pressure on emergency departments and supporting earlier intervention. For that to be achieved, GP leaders say investment needs to be matched with workforce expansion, improved digital systems, and clear strategies to retain experienced clinicians.

Working groups will now be set up to examine access standards, diabetes prevention and new service models.

Mr Miles said he was pleased that GPs would be “actively contributing to creating innovative care models that enhance access, improve outcomes and deliver care locally.”

GP representatives broadly welcomed the deal but have stressed that it is only one step in addressing the scale of challenge across primary care.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)