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Caldey abuse: More victims say police

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A STATEMENT released by the police has confirmed that the force has received further reports of historical sexual abuse at Caldey Island.

The alleged offences have been reported with the same named perpetrator, Father Thaddeus Kotik, who died in 1992.

The original abuse claims were uncovered by an Australian Journalist, Doctor Amanda Gearing, whose article on the subject was published in The Guardian newspaper last week.

Since the story was published, and followed up by The Pembrokeshire Herald, the BBC, and other media organisations, three more women have said they were sexually abused by Father Kotik. One of the women said her two sisters were also abused, bringing the total number of alleged victims so far to 11.

One case was reported to Dyfed-Powys Police as recently as Monday.

Macsas, an organisation that supports survivors of clerical abuse, said an inquiry was needed to establish the extent of the alleged abuse. Meanwhile the children’s commissioner for Wales has asked the abbey for information on its child protection procedures.

The commissioner, Sally Holland, said: “I would like to make sure that any child or young person visiting Caldey or its churches is safe”

Ms Holland confirmed that she had discussed the allegations with the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service, who have not yet responded to media queries.

Last week’s Guardian article revealed that six women, who were abused as children on the island by the same monk, were paid compensation by Caldey Abbey.

In the report, it’s claimed that Father Kotik gained the trust of families who were visiting the island and then sexually abused children he was babysitting.

The women said that the abbey knew about the offences but failed to report Father Kotik’s abuse to the police. One victim said Kotik ‘terrified them into silence’.

The new statement released by Dyfed Powys Police yesterday (Nov 22) reads: “Following the recent media reporting of sexual abuse at Caldey Island, police received two further reports of non-recent sexual abuse on November 21.

“They relate to offences committed during the same time period (between 1977 and 1987) and with the same named perpetrator Thaddeus Kotik. These crimes have been recorded and Officers are in contact with the victims during the investigation and to offer specialist support.

“Police have also received one further report of a sexual assault by another male at Caldey Island around the same time frame. The report has been made by one of the original six victims. This is being investigated separately to the Caldey Island abuse and concerns a man who was visiting Caldey Island at the time and no longer lives there. No further information can be released at present as it would jeopardise the investigation.

“Dyfed-Powys Police continues to work with safeguarding partners and the Abbey at Caldey Island to ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place to prevent children from suffering abuse or coming to any harm.

Detective Superintendent Anthony Griffiths told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We have specially trained officers at Dyfed-Powys Police to investigate and support victims of non-recent abuse. If there are more victims out there who wish to report, please do so by calling the police directly. We cannot formally record complaints or offer support to victims based on reports via the media. They can do so by calling 101. I would say the same to anyone who has suffered abuse in the past, or is suffering today, that if they find the courage to report it, we will take it seriously and we will offer the support they require.”

READ A FULL FOUR PAGE REPORT IN TOMORROW’S EDITION OF THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD.

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Independent Alun Wills wins Prendergast by-election by 39 votes

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HAVERFORDWEST’S Prendergast ward has a new county councillor after Independent candidate Alun Wills emerged victorious in a closely contested six-way by-election.

Wills secured the seat with 199 votes (31.6%), defeating five other candidates: Kaleb Jenkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160 votes), Mike Mathias (Welsh Conservative Party, 136 votes), Scott Thorley (Reform UK, 71 votes), Alison Tudor (Welsh Labour, 57 votes), and James Henry Purchase (Wales Green Party, 8 votes).

The by-election, held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, was triggered by the resignation of former Conservative councillor Andrew Edwards. Edwards stepped down in December 2024 following a controversial tenure marred by allegations of racism. In 2023, he faced public backlash after reportedly stating that “all white men should have black slaves.” Although he withdrew from the Conservative group and served as an independent councillor following the scandal, he ultimately resigned from his role, citing family reasons.

The Herald at the time questioned if the recording of him saying those words was created by using Artificial Intelligence.

A shift in representation

Resigned in December: Ex-Cllr Edwards

Edwards originally won the Prendergast seat for the Conservatives in 2022, securing a decisive victory over Labour. However, his departure and the controversy surrounding his comments resulted in a highly competitive race that ultimately saw the Conservatives lose their grip on the ward.

Wills’ victory as an independent marks a significant political shift, reflecting voter dissatisfaction and a changing political landscape in Haverfordwest.

Priorities for the new councillor

Speaking after his win, Wills vowed to “insist on council tax value for money” and pledged to do his “utmost to revive the fortunes of Haverfordwest town centre.”

He will take office at a time when Haverfordwest’s regeneration remains a key concern for residents. Major projects such as the Western Quayside redevelopment and the proposed Public Transport Interchange are already in motion, with the aim of boosting the local economy and improving connectivity.

Additionally, Wills is expected to focus on tackling rising council tax costs, an issue that has sparked growing frustration among residents.

With an independent now representing the ward, the political landscape in Pembrokeshire continues to evolve. The question remains whether this result signals a broader trend of voters shifting away from traditional party politics.

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Crown Estate profits soar – but Wales sees little return, says MP

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THE LAND and sea assets in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are amongst the most lucrative of those owned by the Crown Estate.

In 2023, they helped accumulate a Welsh financial handover totalling £853m, resulting in a record net profit to the UK public finance coffers of £1.1billion. This represented a marked increase in Wales’ contribution, compared to its 2007 asset value of just £21.1m.

The escalation is being driven by the rising demand for renewable energy projects, and with the offshore investments that are currently taking place in seabed of south Pembrokeshire, Wales’ contribution to the Crown Estate looks set to soar even further

But how much of this contribution finds its way back to Wales? The answer, sadly, appears scant.

Instead of finding their way back to the Welsh public purse, profits generated from Wales’ green wealth are being distributed to the HM Treasury and the monarch’s Sovereign Grant, which funds a handful of senior members of the Royal family. In 2023-24, the sovereign grant amounted to £86.3m.

Now, in a bid to ensure greater transparency and a fairer financial management, pressure is being put on the Government to allow the Crown Estate to be devolved to Wales, putting it on equal footing with Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“The value of the Crown Estate in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion is hugely significant,” commented Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion and Preseli.

“The Crown Estate owns 65% of Wales’s foreshore and riverbeds, and more than 50,000 acres of land. And a considerable amount of this lies in the foreshores around south Pembrokeshire and the more rural areas of Ceredigion.

“Welsh County Councils, including Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, are having to make payments to the Crown in leasing fees and in 2023, this sum was nearly £300.000 Yet this is happening at a time when local services in Wales are under severe pressure. It doesn’t strike me as fair that we have these significant natural assets which are generating significant amounts of profit, yet they’re not returning back to Wales.

“The UK government says it’s spending money here, but when it comes to the provision of health, education and social services, Wales only gets a Barnett formula of roughly just under 5%.”

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In 2024, Scotland, which devolved from the Crown Estate in 2017, saw more than £100m enter its coffers as a result of its offshore energy.

“And the potential for Wales is just as significant,” said Ben Lake. “Engineers and experts are all pointing to the fact that the regeneration of renewable energy in Wales is going to be big and over the next ten years, the waters around Wales are going to see some of the biggest developments in offshore wind. But unless the Crown Estate is devolved, Wales is going to be severely shortchanged.”

The Crown Estate owns more than £603m of land in Wales which includes:

65% of Wales’ coast and riverbeds;

  • The seabed which extends up to 12 miles out to sea;
  • 50,000 acres of land;
  • 250,000 acres of mineral deposits and
  • All gold and silver deposits.

Last week Westminster blocked the transfer of Crown Estate management to the Welsh Government by voting down an amendment tabled by Plaid Cymru to the Crown Estate Bill.

The Liberal Democrats also tabled an amendment calling for Crown Estate assets to be handed to Wales. But both amendments were blocked by Labour MPs.

The stance contradicted recent comments from Wales’ First Minister, Baroness Eluned Morgan, who said she was “fighting very hard” for more control.

The Bill is expected to return to the House of Commons later this month for further debate and a bid to enforce a vote on the issue,

“Even if we’re able to get a small percentage of what Scotland is generating, Wales will be able to start investing in its public services given the acute pressures that are currently being placed on the NHS and the county councils,” concluded Ben Lake. “This will go a long way to alleviate the pressures they’re under.

“And further down the line, it’s possible that Wales could then start considering its own Wealth Fund, similar to what has happened in Norway as a result of its oil and gas licensing. Through its profits and interest, the Norwegian Wealth Fund has become one of the largest in the world. In 2024 it generated $220 billion to subsidise a significant amount into public services

“And Wales is no different.

“It’s now time for the money that’s being generated from Wales’ natural assets to come back for the benefit of the people who live here.”

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Wales set to ban supermarket junk food promotions

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New rules could reshape the way snacks are sold

SHOPPERS in Wales may soon find fewer tempting offers on unhealthy snacks as the Welsh government plans to ban the promotion of junk food in supermarkets.

Under the proposed regulations, retailers with 50 or more employees will be prohibited from placing sugary, salty, and fatty foods near tills, store entrances, or at the end of aisles. Similar restrictions will apply online, preventing junk food promotions from appearing on homepage banners, category pages, or checkout screens.

The crackdown, which could come into effect in March 2026 if approved by the Senedd next month, would also spell the end for buy-one-get-one-free deals and free refills on sugary drinks.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles defended the measures, highlighting concerns about childhood obesity. “With nearly a quarter of children in Wales overweight or obese by the time they start school, we must take action to help people make healthier choices,” he said.

Retailers who fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to £2,500.

Industry concerns

The proposed legislation is similar to rules introduced in England in 2022 and follows a consultation launched last year. However, the Welsh Retail Consortium has raised concerns, particularly over limits on promotional pricing, arguing that price competition benefits customers.

“Restricting meal deal offers and category promotions could impact affordability for consumers,” a spokesperson warned.

Some smaller businesses, such as independent sweet shops and specialist chocolatiers, will be exempt from the restrictions.

The Welsh government says the new rules are designed to curb impulse buying of unhealthy foods and encourage better dietary habits across the nation. However, with opposition from some in the retail sector, the debate over balancing public health and consumer choice is set to continue.

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