News

Determined motorist will take ‘wrongful conviction’ to the High Court

Published

8 years ago

June 17, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Niall Taylor says his car was stopped here, not on a Haverfordwest roundabout

A PENSIONER, who has been convicted of speeding by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, and again on appeal to The Crown Court on Friday (Jun 16) says that he is going to take the case to the Court of Appeal ‘because the police are liars’.

Niall Taylor, 67, is determined that the police stopped him on Arnolds Hill on the A40, which is a 60mph zone – but the police told two courts that Taylor was sighted by the Toyota Garage just outside Haverfordwest in a temporary 40mph zone, and was stopped on the nearby roundabout.

Taylor says that he has asked for number plate recognition (NPR) information from data cameras near the scene – all that is needed to prove his innocence according to him – but he claims he has been repeatedly blocked in his request.

Niall Taylor, 67, is determined that the police stopped him on Arnolds Hill

Taylor insists that the data will show that he was not stopped where the police say, and that the two police officers involved are liars. Speaking at the Magistrates’ Court hearing in February he said: “I am in total disbelief at this. The officer is not telling the truth. I would not go to all this effort just to dodge a speeding fine.”

But data from the two police officer’s TETRA Airwave radios showed that the police were parked on a nearby roundabout, which supported the police’s side of the story in court. At the appeal, the police ICT specialist Suzanne James, however, was unable to confirm how accurate the radio location data was.

The police traffic car involved did not have any operational CCTV cameras according to official statements. The PC said: “None of the RPU vehicles, including the [vehicle I was driving], are fitted with dash cams, CCTV or any other video recording equipment. Neither myself, or my colleague, were issued with or in possession of personal body cams.”

The officer, of Haverfordwest’s Road Policing Unit had told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in February that he and a colleague had been conducting speed checks on the A40 near the Toyota dealership on August 22 last year.

At the magistrates’ court Taylor was found guilty and fined £55, and three points were added to his licence. With court costs included the total he owed the court rose to £710

The PC told the court: “At about 7.30pm on August 22, Mr Taylor’s car came into sight and the device recorded a speed over 40mph. A speed of 52mph in fact.”

On May 15, at Swansea Crown Court, at a preliminary appeal hearing, Judge Paul Thomas was minded to strike the case against Taylor out because the CPS would not produce the data which had been ordered. But Taylor said he did not want the case against him dismissed.

He told the judge: “No I am not being found not-guilty by default, my name has been splashed all over the newspapers. I am innocent and I want to prove my innocence one hundred percent. I do not want to be let off on a technicality.”

On hearing that Judge Paul Thomas ordered that the appeal go ahead.

Taylor, who was representing himself in court, was again convicted last week by a different judge.

When asked how he could pay his fine at the end of the hearing, Taylor said: “I’m not going to pay a penny I would rather go to prison! The whole system is corrupt!”

Judge Peter Heywood replied: “There is no need to take that attitude.”

The Herald has emailed the police press office to confirm that police vehicles in Dyfed-Powys have no CCTV. As yet there has been no response.

Charity

Over 1,100 festive bathers enjoy Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RECORD-BREAKING number of 1,150 festive bathers have had a splashing time in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim this morning.

The fancy dress theme of Superheroes – in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year – saw Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashing into the chilly water of Tenby’s North Beach.

RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.
The swim will be one to remember forever for one duo of dippers as they got engaged following a surprise proposal on the sand.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Philip Frith, 34, made one of his best-ever moves when he popped the question to his girlfriend, former professional dancer Victoria Tansey, 34, who is originally from Hakin.

Said swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall: “”Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.
The swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in its 52-year history, and this yeae’s event will see Tenby RNLI as the main beneficiary.

Town mayor Dai Morgan said: ”It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”
The mayor’s daughter, 18-year-old Erin Morgan, who is Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the swim.

Swim chairman Sam supervised 10-year-old Sam Fecci as he fired the swim’s starting pistol – a duty usually carried out by his dad, Stuart, who was not well enough to attend.

Festive tunes and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals and warm up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions.

‘Taking the plunge’ at a festive swim in Wales this morning meant more than just a dip in the sea for one happy couple.

As hundreds of Boxing Day bathers at the legendary event in Tenby dashed for the water, a magical moment was happening between Victoria Tansey and Philip Frith.
Philip, 34, went down on one knee on the sand and asked Victoria, 37, to marry him.

Fortunately, she said an ecstatic ‘yes’ to the carefully-planned proposal, which saw the couple’s special song Ocean Eyes y Billie Eilish sound out over the beach as the newly-engaged couple celebrated with a splash in the sea.

As a former Royal Marine Philip – who is now a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach – has faced some scary situations in his life but the Boxing Day proposal was up there with the most nail-biting.
“I’ve been so nervous/special moment.

Victoria, originally from Hakin, Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, worked as a professional dancer – appearing on the X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pineapple Dance Studio: Survival of the Fittest -and before setting up her own entertainment agency.

Although now living in Guildford with Philip, she has always loved returning to her Pembrokeshire roots

“When we first met, Victoria couldn’t wait to show me all around Pembrokeshire and we have made the trip as often as work would allow us, to visit her family, go beach hopping and take in the breathtaking scenery,” said Philip.

“I absolutely love sea swimming, I believe that it is so worthwhile for your body and mind, however Victoria has never been one to enjoy the cold!

“So, on our first Christmas together as a couple, Victoria surprised me by taking me to Tenby for the Boxing Day Swim – it’s honestly one of my most fond memories from the start of our relationship!

“I wanted to return her the favour of surprising her by proposing to her at this year’s swim.”

Victoria’s mum and her childhood best friend , Sean Griffiths – who she set up Milford Haven’s Unison Dance Group with in 2004 –were on the beach to watch the proposal, with Sean bringing along the engagement ring in his pocket to fellow swimmers crowded round to congratulate Victoria and Philip, and swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall laughed: “Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.