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Brutal and callous murderer jailed for 22 years

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callous murdererSTEVEN WILLIAMS, the man who murdered Joanna Hall, has been sentenced to 22 years in jail.

The jury reached a majority verdict of 10-2 on Thursday after deliberating for nearly nine hours. On hearing the verdict there was no reaction from 31-year-old Williams.

The Tenby man was found guilty last week of stabbing Joanna 40 times and it was also revealed that he waited five hours before calling the police. He attacked her in her flat but claimed that a knifeman had broken in and stabbed her while he had gone out to buy alcohol. Joanna died just three weeks after the brutal attack but did name Steven as her attacker whilst lying in hospital.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice Nicola Davies said Williams’ actions were: “brutal, callous and reprehensible, but does not warrant the description sadistic”.

She added: “This was a sustained and brutal assault using a knife or knives upon a defenceless victim.

“You stabbed Joanna over 20 times, on occasions penetrating organs within her body.

“Joanna lost 30 to 40% of the circulating blood in her body. You refused her the medical treatment she needed, and for which she asked.

“You sat with her and watched her bleed.”

Williams claimed that a knifeman had broken in and attacked Joanna, but jurors were told that neighbours had heard an argument in Ms Hall’s flat in the early hours of the morning.

After sentencing, Det Insp Carl Roach said: “This crime has repulsed Joanna’s family, the community of Tenby and the investigation team.

“Today’s sentence is welcomed, as without doubt the public are safer with Steven Williams being firmly behind bars.

“Joanna’s family have showed the utmost dignity and patience during this difficult time – it is to them and the investigation teams in Dyfed-Powys that I pay tribute.”

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News

Car fire closes Market Street in Haverfordwest

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FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a vehicle blaze in the centre of Haverfordwest on Monday afternoon (May 19).

The incident occurred at around 2:50pm on Market Street, where a car was reported to be alaze.

A crew from Haverfordwest Fire Station responded swiftly and brought the fire under control within half an hour. The road was temporarily closed while emergency services dealt with the situation.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 2:51pm, firefighters from Haverfordwest attended a car fire on Market Street. The vehicle was well alight on arrival. One hose reel jet, a thermal imaging camera, small tools and a breathing apparatus set were used to extinguish the blaze.

“The crew left the scene at 3:24pm.”

No injuries were reported.

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Education

Excellent progress on the construction of new lower school building at Portfield School

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PUPILS from Portfield School have had the exciting opportunity to leave their mark on history as work continues at pace at their fantastic new school.

The pupils attended an event to mark the reaching of the highest point of the new building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony. The event gave pupils a chance to sign one of the first steel beams, and leaving handprints on a wall, symbolising their role at the heart of the school community and the bright future ahead.

The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and was attended by staff, pupils, governors, senior Council officers and officers from the project team to celebrate the key milestone.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said: “We were thrilled to involve our pupils in this important moment. The new building represents a new chapter for Portfield School, and it’s wonderful that our children could be part of its foundations.”

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr. Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased at the progress being made.

“Whilst I was unable to attend the event myself, my colleagues have shared with me their experience of the event, and the excellent progress being made on the new building at the school.

“This development will provide much needed modern, inclusive accommodation for the learners, and I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Portfield School will be in a position to move into the building in December 2025.”

Following their visit, pupils made the following comments: “We had to wear protective clothing before entering the building site. Being able to write my name on one of the walls in the new building was really cool. I am very grateful to have been chosen to write my name in the new build it is extremely cool. Even though I am leaving this year my name will be there for ever.”

“Oh it was fun! I put my hand in paint and then put it on the wall.”

The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Capital programme.

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Charity

Woman spared jail after drunken assault on two police officers

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A PEMBROKESHIRE woman battling a complex range of mental health issues has narrowly avoided prison after spitting at and assaulting two police officers while heavily intoxicated.

Elisha Callen, 25, of Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week for sentencing after admitting two counts of assaulting emergency workers and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

The court heard that on April 21, Callen was found in a severely intoxicated state on Larch Road, Milford Haven. Officers attempted to calm her, but she became increasingly aggressive.

“She was told to behave herself, but she failed,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

Following her arrest, Callen lashed out at officers at the station—striking one and spitting in the face of another.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, one of the officers said: “As a police officer, we expect to face conflict on a daily basis, but I don’t expect to be spat on by someone I’ve never met before.”

Callen later told officers she had no recollection of the incident.

Her solicitor, Tom Lloyd, urged magistrates to impose a suspended sentence, arguing she had significant mental health issues and was engaging with support services.

“Letting her attempt to seek help on her own hasn’t worked,” he said. “If you look at the marks on her neck and hands, you can see this is someone with far more going on than just anxiety and depression.”

“This is an individual with complex needs who is extremely upset by what happened and wants to apologise to every officer involved,” he added.

Magistrates imposed an 18-week custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months. Callen must also comply with a mental health treatment requirement, attend 25 rehabilitation activity days with drug and alcohol support, and complete a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

“I can’t emphasise enough that this is your last chance,” the presiding magistrate warned. “You’ve come that close to custody.”

Callen was also ordered to pay £85 costs, a £154 victim surcharge, and £100 in compensation to each of the two officers.

As she left court, Callen said: “Thank you so much. This won’t happen again. I just need support.”

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