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Damage to lion enclosure is ‘shameful’

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Hugo with his pride at Folly Farm: Has to live with boarded window

STAFF at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo say they are ‘saddened’ after a window at the lion enclosure, Pride of Pembrokeshire, is thought to have been deliberately damaged last Thursday (Apr 13).

The popular Pembrokeshire attraction, located in Kilgetty, took to Facebook on the day of the incident to tell the public that a stone was used to damage the window, however due to it being triple safety glass, there was nothing to fear.

They said: “Unfortunately there has been an incident today (Thursday, April 13) at our Pride of Pembrokeshire enclosure where one of the viewing windows has been damaged. Having reviewed CCTV we can see that a stone was used.

“We’d like to reassure our guests that this is triple safety glass so whilst the outer layer has shattered the window is still intact and our zoo team have been able to lock our lions into the smaller part of their enclosure.

“We will be making a temporary repair to the window whilst we order a replacement. The windows are high grade specialist safety glass and we cannot say how long this will take.

“Obviously we’re deeply saddened by this incident but would like to reassure our visitors that their safety and our animal welfare was never at risk.

“We’d like to ask that anyone who witnessed the incident speak to a member of staff before they leave the park.”

The incident had been reported to staff by a visitor. Within the hour, the Park’s maintenance team had boarded up the outside of the window and erected a zoo grade mesh over the inside, in order to give the lions the ‘full use of their enclosure’.

They also said that it would be ‘boarded up for a while’, however the safety of the animals and visitors has not been and will not be compromised.

The Facebook attracted a huge response, with over 200 shares, over 500 reactions and over 150 comments.

One commenter, Francis Richards, said: “I do hope the culprit is caught and prosecuted. It so wrong if they get away with it. Folly Farm work so hard to give the public an amazing day out. It has grown so big over the years. I love the place and I go regularly – keep up the good work Folly Farm.”

Kaylie Davies, who also commented on the post, said it was ‘a disappointing and an utter lack of respect for the Park.’

She said: “You can see the massive amount of money spent here recently, the park is clean, well presented and the buildings and enclosures look amazing. We are here at the park today (Apr 13) and can see the work being put in place after the damage has been caused. I just cannot believe that someone has done this and walked away. Shameful.”

Crime

Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags

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A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.

The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.

“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.

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Crime

Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven

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A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.

“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.

“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”

Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”

Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.

Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

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Crime

Goodwick driver fined for crashing into van and outbuilding

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A 21-YEAR-OLD motorist has been sentenced for driving on a Pembrokeshire B road and colliding with a parked van and an outbuilding.

Luke Harvey was driving a blue Ford Fiesta along the B4313 at Llanychaer, near Fishguard, at around 11:30pm on May 16, with a male passenger in the car.

“A call was made to the police, reporting that he had hit a van as well as an outbuilding,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

“The people living at the property advised him to stay at the scene, but he insisted on going home. He managed to free his vehicle and drove off towards Fishguard.”

Police traced the car to an address in Fishguard and located Harvey. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, using a vehicle without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Magistrates fined Harvey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.

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