News

Local couple ‘survived Hurricane Irma’ [VIDEO]

Published

9 years ago

September 11, 2017

A LLECHRYD man who booked a dream holiday for his wife’s 50th birthday found himself in the middle of Hurricane Irma.

Anthony Jones had a holiday booked in Cuba as a present for his wife, but when news of the hurricane first caught his attention he never imagined he would end up in the middle of it.

His dramatic videos shows the Cuban neighbourhood during the storm:

Speaking to the Herald, Mr Jones said: “We booked Cuba for my wife’s 50th birthday. We’d heard the day before leaving that there was a hurricane in the Caribbean but never thought it would hit us. We arrived on Monday and by Wednesday we were on hurricane alert.”

As it became more apparent that the hurricane was going to directly over their hotel, things started to get more serious.

Mr Jones told us: “On Thursday we had a hurricane meeting with the reps. It was then became reality – it was hitting us on Thursday night, into Friday morning.

“We were told the bar would close at 9 and no alcohol would be served after that until the Cuban government states it’s far enough away, in case it came back.

“We were then told to stay in our rooms until it passed, the bathroom being the safest place. The staff were really good and looked after us by bringing us food and drinks.

“It was a really frightening experience which I hope we don’t have to ever go through again.”

Mr Jones recorded footage of the aftermath:

He concluded: “Luckily nobody was hurt but the resort was in a state the following morning with trees down and a few roofs missing but the clear up is now underway.”

Mr Jones’ dramatic videos show how the 250kph windows hammered Cuba. He told us the entire experience was ‘pretty scary’.

On Facebook, he posted a update stating ‘We survived Hurricane Irma’ to reassure friends and family.

Hurricane Irma has since moved across Florida in the United States. Six million homes – 62% of the entire state – are without power. In the islands of the Florida Keys, officials have warned of a ‘humanitarian crisis’.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.