A NEWPORT man has been jailed for five years after admitting a series of terrorism offences linked to the proscribed extremist group Islamic State.

Shazad Ali, aged 21, from the Newport area of Gwent, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday (March 6) after previously pleading guilty to multiple offences.

Ali admitted supporting the proscribed organisation ISIS, two counts of encouraging terrorism, and possessing documents likely to be useful to a terrorist.

The charges were brought under the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Terrorism Act 2006.

Counter Terrorism Policing Wales said Ali was arrested in January 2025. Officers carried out a search of his home, where they recovered digital devices which revealed he had built up a library of extremist terrorist publications.

Investigators also found that Ali had publicly shared a number of extreme Islamist videos online.

The court heard that Ali’s activities demonstrated support for the Islamic State group and involved material promoting extremist ideology.

In addition to the five-year prison sentence, the judge imposed an extended licence period of two years following his release.

Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Williams, of Counter Terrorism Policing Wales, said the sentence followed a lengthy investigation.

She said: “Shazad Ali represented a very clear and dangerous threat to the public, and this sentence concludes what has been a lengthy investigation conducted by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales.

“Ali visibly expressed his support for the Islamic State, and it was our overriding priority to ensure the public were protected from both him and the abhorrent rhetoric he promoted.”

Police reminded the public that reporting concerns about extremist behaviour can help prevent serious harm.

They added that information about suspicious activity can be reported through the government’s Action Counters Terrorism campaign, and that in an emergency the public should always dial 999.

TENBY lifeboat crews were involved in a dramatic multi-agency rescue on Saturday morning (Mar 7) after a person suffering from suspected hypothermia was discovered on a remote stretch of coastline.

Both RNLI lifeboats were launched at 9:10am after emergency services were alerted to a casualty on the coast path at Swanlake Bay, around 7.5 miles west of Tenby.

Within minutes the volunteer crews were at sea, making best speed through the morning swell. They reached the scene just 18 minutes after launching, where a complex rescue operation was already unfolding on the isolated beach.

With the all-weather lifeboat holding position offshore to provide safety cover, the inshore lifeboat was tasked with the more dangerous approach. Its helm skilfully navigated through breaking surf to reach the shoreline, allowing two crew members to be put ashore with vital medical equipment.

On land they joined HM Coastguard teams from Tenby and St Govans, along with Dyfed-Powys Police officers, who had also rushed to the scene.

Paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust soon arrived to treat the casualty, who was believed to be suffering from the effects of severe cold after being found exposed on the coastal path.

Once the patient had been stabilised, rescuers were faced with a difficult decision. The heavy swell rolling onto the beach meant extracting the casualty by boat would be too dangerous, while the steep and awkward terrain made carrying the patient up to the waiting ambulance extremely challenging.

A decision was made to call in HM Coastguard’s rescue helicopter to complete the evacuation.

The aircraft arrived shortly afterwards and landed directly on the beach. The casualty was carefully loaded onboard alongside paramedics before being flown a short distance and transferred safely to an ambulance waiting on the headland above.

With the patient safely in medical care, the lifeboats were stood down and returned to Tenby, arriving back at the station at 11:25am.

The rescue highlights the vital role of the RNLI’s volunteer crews and the close cooperation between emergency services when dealing with incidents along Pembrokeshire’s rugged coastline.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said the incident was “another great example of multiple agencies working together to assist a casualty.”

Photos: Rescue teams responding at Swanlake Bay (Pic: St Govans Cliff Rescue Team).

A PEMBROKESHIRE MP has said local farmers must be “at the heart” of upcoming UK–EU negotiations aimed at reducing trade barriers on agricultural products.

Henry Tufnell raised the issue with ministers this week, stressing that family farms play a crucial role in the county’s rural economy, culture, and food production.

Speaking about the negotiations, the Labour MP said new arrangements between the UK and the European Union could present a significant opportunity for Welsh agriculture if handled correctly.

Family farms central to talks

Mr Tufnell said he had asked the UK Government to confirm that the interests of farmers in counties like Pembrokeshire would be fully represented as discussions move forward.

“Family farms are the backbone of Pembrokeshire’s rural economy, culture, and food production,” he said.

“The UK’s upcoming negotiations with the EU will reduce trade barriers on agricultural products, presenting a significant opportunity for our local economy.”

He added that ensuring Welsh farmers benefit from improved market access must remain a priority.

“This week I asked the Minister to confirm that Pembrokeshire farmers are at the heart of these negotiations,” he said.

“I will keep working with both the UK and Welsh Labour Governments to ensure that Pembrokeshire farmers get the maximum benefit from our new relationship with the EU.”

Trade opportunities and concerns

Agriculture remains one of the sectors most affected by changes in the UK’s trading relationship with the EU following Brexit.

The European Union was historically the largest export market for British agricultural products, including Welsh lamb and beef, both of which are key industries in Pembrokeshire and across rural Wales.

Reducing regulatory barriers or simplifying export processes could make it easier for farmers to sell produce into European markets.

However, some farming organisations have previously raised concerns that future agreements could also lead to increased competition from imported food products if safeguards are not in place.

The National Farmers’ Union has repeatedly called for any new trade arrangements to protect high standards in animal welfare, environmental protection, and food safety.

Importance to Pembrokeshire economy

Farming remains a major part of Pembrokeshire’s economy, with family-run farms producing livestock, dairy, and arable crops across the county.

Many rural communities depend directly or indirectly on the agricultural sector through supply chains, food processing, tourism, and local employment.

Mr Tufnell’s comments come at a time when farmers are also facing rising costs for fuel, fertiliser, and feed, alongside ongoing uncertainty about agricultural support payments following the UK’s departure from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.

The MP said he intends to continue raising the issue in Westminster to ensure rural communities in West Wales benefit from any new trading opportunities.

“The priority must be making sure that farmers in Pembrokeshire are supported and able to thrive in the years ahead,” he said.