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Paedophile report to be published

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Mik Smith: The paedophile was nearly allowed to become a foster carer

THE REPORT into how Pembrokeshire County Council dealt with convicted paedophile Mik Smith will be published after a landmark decision by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet today (Jun 2).

The new Cabinet, led by new Council Leader David Simpson, voted unanimously in favour of publishing the report.

Cllr Mike Stoddart, who has long campaigned for the report to be published, also asked if a Task and Finish Group could be set up to investigate other issues that he was aware of which were not included in the report and that was supported by the Cabinet.

His notice of motion has been repeatedly knocked back by officers who said the report could not be published because it contained sensitive information.

At previous meetings of Full Council meeting and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee in March, calls to release the document were defeated on the chairman’s vote after a tied vote.

The report has already been leaked to the press but at a previous meeting, Chief Executive, Mr Ian Westley, stated that it was his ‘personal preference’ that the report shouldn’t be published due to an agreement he had with the report’s author.

On Monday, Cllr Stoddart told the new Cabinet: “This is a rather long story. I have been trying to get this published for the last 18 months. I’m afraid there is a complex web of deceit in this report.

“The whistle-blower was sacked in 2006 and it is often thought that this was the sole whistle-blower when in actual fact there were eight members of the youth service that had this complaint.

“When she was sacked, this council had already had a second complaint about Mr Smith, she wasn’t a part of this and yet they sacked her.

“The Head of Youth Service was asked about Mr Smith’s suitability to be a foster parent and verbally he replied in very positive terms and he was then sent a form with a covering letter which said ‘agencies are reminded that they have a duty to pro-actively inform PCC of any issues that arise that could impact on this person’s ongoing capacity to act as a foster carer or could represent a safeguarding issue to the children who might be placed with them’.

“The Head of Youth Service left that blank although he had administered two disciplinary sanctions against Mr Smith in 2005 and 2006, and furthermore there had been a further complaint in 2009. To me, what went on here is an absolute disgrace and I do think the people of Pembrokeshire have a right to know all the facts.

“There was a report put before the scrutiny committee, which said: “The report contains personal information in relation to the names of children, parents and professionals. I have failed to find any reference to any names of children, parents of professionals and I feel that this is part of the tactics that I object to in this authority where things are invented to push members in a particular direction.”

Cllr Stoddart also claimed that the report was incomplete as its author had been restricted to the information that was available.

Cllr Paul Miller said he agreed entirely with Cllr Stoddart and said it was in the public interest to publish what he described as a ‘serious issue’.

Cllr Tessa Hodgson said it was clear that the people of Pembrokeshire had voted for change and said that they must demonstrate they were prepared to take action. She added that they must ensure that something like this never happens again.

Cllr Neil Prior said: “Organisations will always make mistakes but it’s how we deal with them that is important and I do feel that we have very difficult decisions ahead and we need the support of the public in understanding why we take some of those decisions and I do feel strongly that this is a new era, and to show a gesture of goodwill to the people of Pembrokeshire that we should release the report.”

Cllr Phil Baker added the report did make for difficult reading and that it was a dark period for the council whilst the investigations were ongoing.

Cllr Pat Davies said that newly elected councillors had inherited the problem and added that it was time for the matter to be settled.

Chief Executive Ian Westley asked for the information that Cllr Stoddart to make him aware of the information that he had and also encouraged the person who leaked the report to come forward and say why they had done it.

Crime

Police-chase teenager remanded in custody over drug and firearm offences

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A PEMBROKESHIRE teenager who was previously granted bail on drug-dealing charges has now been remanded in custody after facing additional allegations, including conspiracy to possess a firearm.

Harrison Billing, 18, of Jury Lane, Haverfordwest, had been granted bail following his arrest for possession of cocaine with intent to supply in Milford Haven on December 27, 2024.

He was also charged with possession of criminal property, relating to £925.31 in cash, and dangerous driving after a high-speed police pursuit ended with a Mercedes crashing into a house on Hamilton Terrace.

Billing initially appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on December 30, where he admitted the driving offences but was bailed pending further court proceedings. However, he has now been remanded in custody following the emergence of new, more serious allegations.

Court records show Billing has been further charged with conspiring to possess a firearm without a certificate, additional drug supply offences, and possession of a knife.

These charges, combined with the existing drug-dealing allegations, resulted in him being sent back into custody ahead of his next appearance at Swansea Crown Court.

The case continues, with Billing due to appear in court again for a plea hearing.

The Herald understands that the new charges played a significant role in the decision to revoke his bail.

Meanwhile, his co-accused, Dylan Brown, 18, of Chestnut Way, Milford Haven, remains on bail, awaiting his next hearing related to the same December 27 incident.

More updates to follow as the case develops.

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Crime

Pembrokeshire dug dealer warned to expect gaol time

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A MAN caught with a stash of drugs—including cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine, and ketamine—has been told to prepare for prison after admitting multiple offences.

Luke Jones, 33, of Maes Morfa, Newport, appeared at Swansea Crown Court facing ten drug-related charges.

The court heard that Jones was stopped by police while driving on the A4076 at Dredgeman Hill on June 3 last year. He was later convicted of drug-driving at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 3, receiving a 17-month driving ban and a one-year community order.

Jones returned to Swansea Crown Court accused of possessing 14.37 grams of cocaine with intent to supply on the same date. He also admitted possessing 41.7 grams of cannabis and 56.76 grams of cannabis resin with intent to supply, as well as 135 grams of amphetamine found at his home.

Further charges included possession of MDMA and ketamine at his address, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine, and ketamine between December 7, 2023, and June 3 last year.

Jones pleaded guilty to all charges.

Judge Catherine Richards ordered a pre-sentence report but warned: “Based on what I have read so far, it is difficult to see any outcome other than immediate custody.”

Jones was granted bail and will return for sentencing on March 14.

“You should attend expecting an immediate custodial sentence,” the judge told him.

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Paddleboarders rescued off Aberporth by Cardigan’s lifeboat crew

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CARDIGAN lifeboat launched on Friday (Feb 16) after two paddleboarders were spotted struggling against an outgoing tide south of Aberporth.

The RNLI crew was paged at 11:18am following a call from a concerned member of the public to the UK Coastguard. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched with Simon at the helm, accompanied by crew members Leo, Andrew, and Lewis, making best speed towards the location.

Before the lifeboat arrived, the paddleboarders managed to reach an isolated beach and contacted Cardigan lifeboat station via mobile phone. Their contact details were passed to the UK Coastguard operations team, which was coordinating the rescue.

Upon arrival, the lifeboat crew quickly located the pair and brought them, along with their boards, safely onto the lifeboat. They were transported to Aberporth’s main beach, where HM Coastguard Cardigan personnel were waiting to assist and warm them up.

The lifeboat was back at the station and ready for service by 12:45pm.

Rescue effort acknowledged

RNLI Cardigan expressed gratitude to all involved in the rescue, including the shore crew, launch team, and the members of the public who alerted the Coastguard.

“If you see anything concerning along the coast, please dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard,” a spokesperson said.

(Photo: Nigel Millard)

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