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Swan killer narrowly avoids jail

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

A MAN who pleaded not guilty to killing swans in Withybush Woods in Haverfordwest appeared in court today (Apr 19) facing charges of being in possession of an air weapon and intentionally killing a wild bird.

However, Gareth George Mattson, aged 32 of Goshawk Road in Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty before the trial went ahead.

Prosecutor, Megan Gilcrest, told the court that Mattson is jointly charged with co-defendants, one of which is a youth, who all pleaded guilty at first hearing except Mattson, who pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set.

She said: “A member of the public attended at All Pets Vet Care in Milford Haven on October 21, 2016, and brought a swan (cygnet) in to the practice, saying it had been shot. X-rays were taken, and due to the damage to the bird, the decidion was taken to euthanise it.

“Two swans recovered on October 24, and a male swan was brought in, but was deceased. It was brought in by a swan rescuse and its body was x-rayed. Two pellets were found inside the bird: One in its abdomen and one in leg. This would have been primary cause of death.

“A second cygnet brought into practice, but no pellets found within the body of the swan, however it did have an injury to it’s wing, and euthanised some time later.”

She explained that Mattson was arrested on January 14, 2017, and in his interview he stated: “I haven’t shot no bird. I wear glasses and couldn’t see the bird.”

When asked if he could have shot it accidentally, he said: “Probably, I don’t know.”

However, evidence from the youth suggested that he did in fact know that he had shot a swan, and had intended to do so.

Probation officer, Julie Norman, said: “I have a high knowledge of this case, having prepared reports on Lawson and Phillips, and they received suspended sentences.
“He has never been in any trouble before – no cautions or convictions.”
She continued: “He knew Phillips. He was an old neighbour of his, but he didn’t know Lawson. Phillips went to his address with Lawson, and Lawson had purchased an air rifle a few days before. Mattson knew of a farm where they could go shooting, and they went to Withybush Woods carpark, and walked through the woods onto private land where he had permission to go shooting.
“It was about 10pm, so it was dark. There were no rabbits to be shot on the land, so they decided to leave and go back to the car. As they were walking back to the pond, Lawson suggested they shoot at the pond. That’s what he did.
“He said he wasn’t the first, but after the first shot was fired he noticed some swans come out. Mattson shot at them and they all took turns. It was dark and didn’t really know where he was shooting, but it is likely he shot one of the swans.”
Ms Norman said Mattson is deeply remorseful, and it not something he would ever ‘normally’ do.
She said: “He knew as soon as one of the shots were fired that it was wrong and could potentially get in a lot of trouble. He is aware he could go into custody today and he is afraid of that.”
Defence solicitor, Jonathan Webb, said: “This is clearly a very emotive case. I’m sure you [the bench] are very well aware yourselves of the outcry. Many people have voiced their opinions.”
The chair of the bench told Mattson that they had listened ‘very carefully’ to what had been said, and sentenced him for five months in prison.
The reason for such an onerous sentence, was to ‘reflect seriousness of offence’ and the delay of a guilty plea.
However, the chair of the bench said: “We have taken into account your previous clean character and the remorse you have shown here today, and have decided to suspend this for 12 months.”
He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and must pay £115 victim surcharge, £60 compensation toward All Pets Vet Care for the veterinary costs, and £350 prosecution costs.
The chair added: “I haven’t got to say how upset the community is about this offence, because you know very well.”

Business

Thousands of homes in rural Wales gain from faster 4G boost

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RURAL Wales is seeing a major upgrade in mobile connectivity, with faster 4G now live in several areas. Seven locations across North, South West, and West Wales are benefitting from new 4G mast upgrades funded by the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), aimed at closing the digital gap between rural and urban areas.

The upgrades, which went live on Thursday (Nov 14), bring improved 4G coverage to communities including Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Penmaenpool, Tabor, Snowdonia National Park, and Bontgoch. Local businesses, emergency services, and residents are expected to benefit from faster internet access, which supports daily communication, business opportunities, and economic growth.

There is a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Fast, reliable connectivity is essential for modern life and should be available from Cardiff to the remotest parts of Wales. Today’s upgrades bring us closer to making this a reality.”

SUPPORTING DIGITAL INCLUSION

As part of the rollout, Peter Kyle and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant visited Ebbw Vale to discuss digital inclusion with charity and industry leaders. They met with representatives at BGfm, a digital inclusion hub in Blaenau Gwent, to learn about how connectivity impacts daily life in Welsh communities.

Telecoms Minister Bryant said: “We are working tirelessly to make sure rural communities aren’t left behind online.

“These upgrades mean businesses can now operate without connectivity limitations, 999 services are better equipped to respond, and residents and tourists can stay connected across the Welsh countryside.”

ADDRESSING CONNECTIVITY GAPS

An estimated 1.5 million homes across the UK remain without internet access, limiting people’s ability to access essential services such as banking and healthcare. In addition to the SRN upgrades, the Chancellor has allocated over £500 million in next year’s budget for digital infrastructure expansion, targeting these underserved areas.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the importance of this investment, particularly for rural Wales, where fast, reliable internet can be transformative.

“Connectivity is critical for day-to-day life in rural areas – from supporting local businesses to ensuring emergency services are just a call away,” Stevens said.

The upgraded masts, previously limited to EE customers and emergency 999 calls, now serve a wider user base, bringing essential internet access to more people without requiring new infrastructure.

Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, said: “With the activation of five new SRN sites, Wales is seeing the tangible benefits of the Shared Rural Network, bringing crucial connectivity to rural communities.”

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN REMOTE WALES

The improvements come alongside a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties, helping future-proof digital access in even the most isolated locations.

The latest upgrades mark another step in the Government’s mission to improve mobile coverage and close the connectivity gap across Wales, creating opportunities and supporting economic growth across rural communities.

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Milford Haven man admits to downloading indecent images of children

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A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced after admitting to downloading over 1,000 indecent images and videos of children, including highly explicit content involving young children. Gareth MacDonald, now 23, appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images and videos across various devices.

The court heard that police visited MacDonald’s home, which was the scene of protests after his arrest, last year following intelligence suggesting that child abuse images had been accessed there.

There were protests outside MacDonald’s house in September 2024 (Pic: Herald)

Officers spoke with MacDonald’s mother at the door before entering to conduct a search.

During the operation, two mobile phones, a tablet, a laptop, and two hard drives were seized.

MacDonald initially spoke to one of the officers privately, admitting to downloading the images and saying, “It’s me.” Later, in formal interviews, he revealed that he had grown “bored with legal pornography” roughly a year earlier, knowing that what he was doing was illegal but continuing regardless.

Prosecutor Emily Bennett informed the court that MacDonald’s devices held 15 Category A images, the most severe classification, 26 Category B images, and 960 Category C images. Some content depicted children as young as nine, and the most serious material involved pre-teen children in distressing situations.

Bennett also noted that MacDonald had briefly joined an online group where members self-identified as paedophiles, although he left without sharing any material. Cleaning software was also found on his devices.

Defense counsel Dan Griffiths acknowledged that MacDonald’s actions had crossed the custodial threshold, but argued that there was “a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.” He highlighted MacDonald’s cooperation with police and his willingness to comply with rehabilitation programmes.

Judge Geraint Walters, presiding over the sentencing, addressed MacDonald, saying, “For some considerable time, you have accessed this kind of imagery, fully aware of the harm it represents.” He acknowledged that MacDonald largely isolated himself and stayed at home, factors he considered in the sentencing.

MacDonald was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and participate in the Horizon programme. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.

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Welsh teenager jailed for creating 3D-printed gun at home

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A TEENAGER who assembled parts for a viable semi-automatic firearm using a 3D printer has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

Owain Roberts, 19, purchased nuts, bolts, steel barrels, and metal rods online, constructing components of an FGC-9 gun with the aid of a 3D printer.

Detectives said that this case marks the first of its kind in Gwent, where Roberts admitted to manufacturing a firearm component. He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday (Nov 14).

In April, firearms officers executed warrants at two Newport addresses connected to Roberts. Seized items included a 3D printer, two laptops, six plastic reels, and parts for an FGC-9 firearm.

PC Tom Meazey, from Gwent Police’s East Serious Organised Crime team, stated: “Illegally-held firearms can lead to tragic consequences and devastate innocent people’s lives. To own a firearm, including a printable one, is illegal in the UK without a valid firearms certificate. Roberts’s reckless actions in buying items capable of manufacturing a firearm placed people at direct risk.”

This rare and complex investigation involved support from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Roberts received a prison sentence of four years and nine months.

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