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

Pembrokeshire man to stand trial accused of rape in Tenby

Published

2 minutes ago

April 15, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Defendant denies allegation as case is sent to Swansea Crown Court

A PEMBROKESHIRE man is due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of raping a woman in Tenby town centre.

Dean Gough, 48, of Orielton, Pembroke, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week charged with rape.

The court heard that Gough is accused of intentionally penetrating the woman’s vagina at a property in Tenby on December 7, 2022, without her consent and without reasonably believing that she was consenting.

During the hearing, Gough factually denied the allegation.

The case has now been sent to Swansea Crown Court, where trial proceedings are due to begin on May 15.

Gough was released on unconditional bail.

Crime

Driver banned after cocaine remained in system following trip from MOT

Published

4 minutes ago

April 15, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Milford Haven man told magistrates he did not realise drugs taken days earlier would still be detectable

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Ben Conroy, 22, of Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven, was stopped by police at around 5:00pm on December 12 following a moving traffic offence on Steynton Road.

A roadside drugs wipe tested positive for cocaine. Further blood analysis later showed he had 240 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine and 24 microgrammes of cocaine in his system. The legal limits are 50 and 10 respectively.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Conroy had just collected his Ford Focus following an MOT and was driving to a friend’s house when he was stopped.

After he pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving, his solicitor, Alaw Harries, said the drugs had been taken several days earlier during a friend’s celebration.

“He’d taken the drugs several days previously at a friend’s celebration and didn’t realise they would still be in his system,” she said.

“This has been a genuine learning curve for the defendant and he is determined not to come before the courts again.”

Conroy was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Magistrates also imposed a 12-month community order, during which he must complete a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Child cruelty offender given community order

Published

5 minutes ago

April 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Man sentenced after admitting two child cruelty offences in Carmarthen

A 27-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced after admitting two offences of child cruelty involving two young children.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that Liam Jacob pleaded guilty to two counts under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

The offences related to allegations that, on Dec 28, 2025, Jacob caused or procured the children to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed in a way likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

Jacob, of Carmarthen, entered indicated guilty pleas on March 24 and was sentenced on Tuesday (Apr 14).

The court imposed a community order running until April 13, 2027. As part of that sentence, Jacob must complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. The court made a collection order for deductions from benefits, with the financial penalty to be paid within 28 days.