News

Judgement reserved on Herald editor

Published

9 years ago

April 20, 2017

Barrister Matthew Paul: Pictured with Herald editor Thomas Sinclair

THE EDITOR of The Ceredigion Herald appeared in court today (Apr 20) charged with breaching a statutory reporting restriction.

Thomas Hutton Sinclair, the 37-year-old editor of the Herald titles, was on trial for allegedly identifying the complainant in a sexual offence case.

Appearing in Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, Mr Sinclair maintained his not guilty plea.

Prosecuting, Emma Myles told the court that the allegation related to an article published in the Ceredigion Herald in 2016.

“The court will be aware that under the provision of the 1992 sexual offences act the complainant has a right to anonymity,” Ms Myles said.

“It is the Crown’s submission that this falls foul of the wording of this act.”

All written statements were accepted by the defence, and the case hinged on whether the article in question breached the Act in question or not.

The court heard from the record of a police interview with Herald deputy editor Jon Coles, in which he stated that he had received the court report in question from a Herald court reporter, and changed the tense from present to past, as well as fixing some errors.

Describing Mr Sinclair as ‘a hands-on editor’, he added that Mr Sinclair had the final word over what was published. Mr Coles stated that in this instance he had not been instructed to check whether the content complied with the law, though on some occasions he carried out this task when asked.

In an informal interview last year, Mr Sinclair told police that he had held the role of editor since 2013, although his training was in law not journalism.

He added that as a total of around 1,200 articles were published over the four titles each week, it was ‘impossible’ to edit all of them, and some of this work was referred to the deputy editor. In this case he had not seen the article until it was brought to his attention by the police.

When asked his opinion on whether the article breached reporting restrictions, Mr Sinclair replied that it ‘sailed close to the wind’ but would not allow members of the public in general to identify the complainant.

He pointed out that the defendant in the original case had ‘a common surname’ and that The Herald had not reproduced his address.

When asked if he would have changed anything had he edited the article himself, Mr Sinclair suggested that he may have taken out details of the defendant’s occupation.

However, he maintained that ‘any member of the general public would not be able to piece together who the complainant is’.

He also noted that the reporter who wrote the article had just been coming to the end of a probationary period at the time, and that his staff had already been booked onto a media law course.

Summing up, Ms Myles said that it was the Crown’s submission that by publishing this article, Mr Sinclair had breached legislation specifically aimed at that type of case.

“I respectfully submit that the legislation must be stringently applied,” she added, stating that details of the relationship between the complainant and the defendant in the original case which were published breached the legislation.

Representing Mr Sinclair, Matthew Paul set out the information revealed in the article – the name, age and former occupation of the convicted party, along with the date of conviction and a familial relationship which had existed at some point between him and the complainant. However, he noted that the date of the offence and the defendant’s address had not been included, and no indication had been given as to the age of the complainant.

His argument was that in this case there was nothing in the article which would allow any member of the public not closely connected with the convicted party or the complainant to make any identification.

Mr Paul stressed that for a conviction, it had to be demonstrated that there was a real, rather than a hypothetical risk of identification.

Referring to the case of the Attorney General vs Greater Manchester Newspaper Group he noted that it had been found that the risk of identification was not based on relative statistical probability but ‘a real risk’.

“The Crown has to establish more than a hypothetical, but a material risk,” he added.

Mr Paul noted that the Crown appeared to be of the position that placing the complainant in a ‘pool of potential victims’ was the same as identifying them.

“Identifying, in my submission, must mean only one thing; it must lead to one person.”

Mr Paul added that the familial relationship mentioned could apply to more than one person, and that there was nothing in the report which suggested whether it was an historical or recent offence.

He suggested that the most the article could lead to, if read by someone familiar with the convicted party and/ or complainant, would be to place them in a ‘small pool’ of potential people.

He also noted that this small risk of identification was made even smaller by the Ceredigion Herald’s circulation figures at this time, which amounted to a relatively small percentage of the county buying a copy, and the fact that the story was not placed online.

“Right from the start you are dealing with a low-level risk, made even smaller by the fact that the date of the offence was not mentioned,” he added.

“Overall, you are looking at whether this report would lead members of the public to identify the complainant – it is my submission that it would not.”

District Judge David Parsons reserved judgement until May 12 at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Business

Biffy’s Bar and Restaurant set to open in February with dog-friendly welcome

Published

32 minutes ago

January 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New owners promise fresh menu, familiar standards and a warm reception for ‘furry friends’

A NEW bar and restaurant is preparing to open its doors on Milford Waterfront next month after the team behind it quietly took over the venue formerly known as Salt.

Dayne and Victoria, who took over the business in October, said they have spent the past few months working behind the scenes and are now ready to relaunch the venue under a new name — Biffy’s Bar and Restaurant.

The official opening date has been set for Friday, February 6.

In a message to customers, the owners said anyone who has visited since October will already have experienced the standard of food and service they plan to build on, adding that a new menu is on the way.

They said: “Over the past few months, we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes and we’re finally ready to start putting our own stamp on the place — which will soon be Biffy’s.

“If you’ve visited us since October, then you’ve already experienced the standard of food and service you can expect going forward — because that’s exactly what we’re building on. We’re excited to say we’ve got a delicious new menu coming your way too.”

Dog-friendly

The announcement has drawn plenty of supportive messages online — including one customer asking whether the new venue will welcome dogs.

Replying to Dympna Pettit, the business confirmed it will be dog friendly, saying: “Of course, we can’t wait to meet your furry friend.”

Others wished the owners well, with some saying they were looking forward to trying the new menu and seeing the venue return to top form.

Helen Court said she used to visit regularly before COVID, adding that she was looking forward to giving the new venture a try.

Customers who want to book a table for opening day are being asked to message the business via its social media page or book through the Tableo link.

The owners also introduced Daisy and Dexter as part of the team — describing them as the venue’s “Head of Security” and “Chief Morale Officer.”

Entertainment

The littlest yak heads to Milford Haven this half term

Published

35 minutes ago

January 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Award-nominated family show brings puppetry and music to the Torch Theatre

A FAMILY theatre production nominated for four OffWestEnd Awards is set to visit Milford Haven this half term when The Littlest Yak comes to the Torch Theatre.

Presented by LAStheatre, the show is a musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book and is aimed at audiences aged three and over. It combines puppetry, original songs and live performance to tell a story about confidence, growing up and self-acceptance.

The story follows Gertie, a young yak who is proud of her curly wool and sure-footed hooves but frustrated at being the smallest in the herd. Keen to grow up and be like the big yaks, Gertie soon learns that there are some things only she can do, in a message designed to encourage children to value their own strengths.

The production has received strong audience feedback during its UK tour, with reviewers praising the puppetry, music and visual design, as well as its appeal to both children and adults.

The Littlest Yak is produced by Liz Bate and performed by a cast including Megan Ashley, Isobel Horner, Charlie Limm and Eloise Richardson. The creative team includes writer and director Barra Collins, composer Joseph Hardy and designer Alison Alexander, who created the set, costumes and puppets.

The show is based on the book by children’s author Lu Fraser, illustrated by Kate Hindley.

The Littlest Yak will be staged at the Torch Theatre on Saturday, February 21, with performances at 12.30pm and 3.00pm.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £12.50 for children. Further information is available via the Torch Theatre website or by contacting the box office on (01646) 695267.

Community

A generous character remembered after death of scaffolding boss Jozef Polak

Published

22 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TRIBUTES have poured in for Pembrokeshire scaffolding company boss Jozef Polak following news of his death.

Jozef, who ran the firm JP, is remembered as a warm-hearted, larger-than-life character in the community. Those who knew him said he was the sort of person who would step in to help without hesitation — and who brought humour and energy wherever he went.

On social media, messages quickly filled with heartbreak and affection. “My best mate… taken too soon,” wrote Adam Rogers. Timothy Jones added: “Sad news. RIP mate,” while Gareth Williams said: “RIP Joe thoughts with all the family”.

Several people spoke about his personality and generosity. Ginge Davies said: “Rip JP truly a great guy… a complete nutter with a heart of gold… he was such a good laugh,” adding his thoughts were with Jozef’s family, friends and Johnston FC.

Others remembered him from childhood as kind and well mannered. Simon Narbett wrote: “Spent many weekends around our house as a kid in Johnston… always very polite and well mannered boy, nice family too. RIP Jozef.”

The sense of shock was clear in many posts. “Shocked hear this news tonight r.i.p mate,” wrote Adrian Griffiths, while Stephen Evans said: “Really shocked to hear this tonight RIP JP.” Rob Griff added: “So sad to hear this, life can be so cruel… He sure was a Character!!”

Jozef was also a long-standing supporter of The Pembrokeshire Herald, advertising regularly and remaining a valued customer for 13 years. The Herald team worked with him on a number of stories over that period, including the controversial collapse of Mustang Marine, which left a number of contractors out of pocket.

Johnston Football Club said Jozef was central to the life of the club and the wider village, describing him as a “club legend” whose backing helped shape one of the most successful periods in its history.

The club said his association began at the start of the century through his father’s sponsorship, with Jozef stepping up his involvement around 2012 — a period that culminated in Johnston lifting the West Wales Cup.

They said his support was constant and practical, helping fund more than 20 senior team kits along with junior and minis kits, balls, training tops, tracksuits and other essentials. His generosity also extended to bailing the club out with work needed on the changing rooms, adding: “We never had to ask twice.”

In recent years, Johnston said, it became almost routine to ring him when something needed doing. “He’d simply ask, ‘How much do you want?’” the club said.

They ended their tribute: “RIP to a true legend of the club.”