News
Monkton protesters talk to top brass


Protest: Outside Pembroke Dock police station
THIS MORNING (Jul 13) at 9:30am, around one hundred protesters returned to the council offices in Pembroke Dock for a meeting with police and Pembrokeshire County Council spokespersons. On arrival, they were informed that there was not enough space within the building and a handful of protesters would be allowed in.
The group, lead again by Charlie Price, declined this offer, and moved to outside the police station, where they told officers that any meeting would have to take place outside in public for all of the protesters to participate in.
With the protesters assuring the police that the protest would remain peaceful, the group cheered as it was announced that Superintendent Ian John and Kerry Macdermott, Head of Housing and Revenue Services for Pembrokeshire County Council, would be arriving shortly.
Supt. John said: “The two residents of that flat, as it stands, neither of those two people, were actually currently on the sex offender’s register.”
“The facts are, they were not on the sex offender’s register. It would be inappropriate for me to go into specific detail, but what I will say, the lady who moved in with the gentleman who is the tenant of the flat, was not required to record her movements, as she would have been if she was on the sex offenders register.
“She was not placed there. She placed herself there.”
Supt. John then went on to warn about the dangers of so-called sex offender registers which can be found on the internet, which were not official police sources and potentially ‘not current or accurate’.
Mr Macdermott said: “It is no different to having a relationship and your partner moving in. That’s what has appeared to have happened her.
“For whatever reason, the tenant has allowed that person to move in with him.
“I also manage the housing benefits as well, so I can speak with knowledge, there are many cases where a single tenant, and there is another tenant who moves in as a partner, we would not necessarily put them as joint tenants for a whole raft of legal reasons.
“She wasn’t declared as living at the property and the tenancy was not changed.”
The group then described an alleged incident in which they claimed to have ‘ran out’ a paedophile from his home the night before (Jul 12), who drove to the police station and slept in the car park.
Supt John responded by warning against any vigilante actions: “Let me just say, for anyone who commits any criminal offences, we will deal with it. If anybody at all considers taking the law into their own hand, that is the wrong thing to do, you know that.
“We have a good relationship with the people in Monkton. We want to work with everyone and keep everyone safe, but there are laws in this country which protect people.
“It is not up to me or you which punishment or control people have, we have to work together safely, and I’m telling you we will continue to do that.
“It is your duty as citizens to work together with us. By talking about taking the law into your own hands… you are putting yourself at risk.”
He then went on to reassure the group that since Tuesday night, Dyfed-Powys Police had conducted extensive research into the woman’s situation: “The circumstances of the individual we are talking about have been thoroughly looked in the last 24 hours. Prior to that we had some contact with her locally, but what we did not know was the details of that background.”
Mr Macdermott then offered financial support to the group, who earlier in the morning had been talking about raising funds for charity: “If you set up a committee with Pearl on the committee, there are certain funds we can make available to you. I am prepared to come down and help you, help raise funds, and provide monies for charities.”
Mr Price, and many of the members of the group, saw this as an attempt of ‘paying off’ their cause, and declined: “We appreciate the offer, we are glad to know you are willing to sit down and talk to use. One thing we don’t want is the council to pay us off, so thank you for your offer, but we don’t need your money.”

Annalee: Not happy with the sex offenders register
A local resident, Annalee, then spoke of her experience with the sex offenders register after he daughter was sexually assaulted: “Fifteen years ago my daughter was sexually assaulted by a cousin. He only got put on the sex offenders register for five years, because he admitted doing the crime and was 15. He did his five years, and then went into the army.
“He used a different name – that wasn’t policed. He’s come out of the army, re-offended, and is now back on the sex offenders register for another five years.
“The law needs to change. If the law was how it is in England and Scotland, and there was more of a punishment, perhaps he wouldn’t have come out of the army and re-offended.
“I went to court 18 months ago after he was caught re-offending, it was a court in England, the Judge couldn’t believe why he was only on the register for the severity of the case against my daughter for just five years.”
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Cllr Pearl Llewellyn said: “I am here for Monkton. I support you 100%, but this has to be a peaceful demonstration – you won’t get anywhere with shouting.
“Charlie has excelled himself yesterday and today – he is a good spokesperson, he’s talking from the heart and means every word he says, but you have to know what you’re asking and what you’re talking about.
“I have to take advice from police and the council – I was told by Pembrokeshire County Council not to get involved or to come to these meetings, but I have, because my daughter lived in Monkton.
“Thank you all for coming down and being very patient.”
The event concluded with the announcement that a further protest would be held at County Hall in Haverfordwest tomorrow (Jul 14).
Crime
Police-chase teenager remanded in custody over drug and firearm offences

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.
Crime
Pembrokeshire dug dealer warned to expect gaol time

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.
News
Paddleboarders rescued off Aberporth by Cardigan’s lifeboat crew

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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