News
Pembroke Dock: Councillor attacks letting agency after rubbish fire at flats
A PEMBROKE DOCK County Councillor has hit out on social media after rubbish piled up near flats in the town caught fire.
Cllr Paul Dowson, who says that rubbish has been a problem in the area, says it was just a matter of time before an incident such as this occurred.
The incident on Monday night (Oct 30) comes as the local authority has launched a consultation on refuse collection in the county. Residents could soon be facing three weekly black bin bag collections – and restrictions on the number of black bags that can put out.
The proposal is part of a plan to transform the collection of waste and recycling in the county, and will help Pembrokeshire County Council make savings.
On his Facebook page, Cllr Dowson said: “It was always just a matter of time before this happened. Dimond Street flats [are often] piled up with rubbish for weeks.
“First came the rats – so I’m told by tenants, and now the inevitable has happened – a fire has broken out in the enclosed space between the flats.
“Fortunately somebody discovered the fire pretty quickly otherwise this scene could have been a lot worse as people were living above the fire.”
Cllr Dowson says that one particular property rental company seems to be not doing its bit in helping with the problem, whist another, managing flats opposite, demonstrates a “commitment to their tenants, and the community” by installing secure cages for waste.
He added: “I have battled alone over the disgraceful sight of the bins and the safety issues that go with it. E Lettings have never acknowledged the problem never discussed the issue and have made absolutely no effort whatsoever to rectify the problem.
“Whenever I try to communicate with them about it they either ignore my contacts or they report me to the police for harassing them. Whether or not it is the tenants fault they have a responsibility to the community and they should show a little respect to the community.
Jill Evans, Manager of E Lettings in Pembroke Dock, told the Herald: “I had arranged a meeting with Mr Dowson but that has been put on hold as he continues to be aggressive. Until he can behave professionally we cannot meet with him.
“We are very busy with all of our lettings and the residents have to put their own rubbish out. We will remind them when their bin days are and we are also working closely with the council.
“If anyone has any concerns I am more than happy to discuss it with them.
“There seems to be a witch hunt against us and I am not prepared to get my business involved in that.”>
Crime
Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags
A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.
The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.
“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.
Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”
Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.
Crime
Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven
A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.
“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.
“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”
Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”
Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.
Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Goodwick driver fined for crashing into van and outbuilding
A 21-YEAR-OLD motorist has been sentenced for driving on a Pembrokeshire B road and colliding with a parked van and an outbuilding.
Luke Harvey was driving a blue Ford Fiesta along the B4313 at Llanychaer, near Fishguard, at around 11:30pm on May 16, with a male passenger in the car.
“A call was made to the police, reporting that he had hit a van as well as an outbuilding,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
“The people living at the property advised him to stay at the scene, but he insisted on going home. He managed to free his vehicle and drove off towards Fishguard.”
Police traced the car to an address in Fishguard and located Harvey. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, using a vehicle without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Magistrates fined Harvey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.
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