News
Reluctant councillors close Sunnybank

COUNCILLORS were very reluctant to accept the closure of Sunnybank Residential Care Home at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, March 10.
A number of staff from the care home also attended the meeting to hear the decision. On November 4, 2013, Cabinet agreed to consult on the future of the care home in Narberth.
After a thorough consultation period it was agreed that while there was a strong desire to keep Sunnybank open there were a number of other factors that would mean the home would have to be closed. Sunnybank is valued by the current residents and their families but only a small number of people choose to go there.
The building was built in the 1960’s and was originally home for 52 people but that was reduced to 26 in 2002. The council continued to maintain the premises but as of November 2013 there were only 11 people living in the home.
One of the key factors in the closure of the home was: ‘The condition of the building and the facilities at Sunnybank do not meet modern standards’.
The report also states that the council cannot meet the £3m that would be required to refurbish the home. Councillors also recognised that staff at the care home have done an excellent job but said that the decision had to be made while Cllr Simon Hancock added: “The quality of care of the staff is not in question”.
Councillor David Simpson said: “I’ve had many conversations with the local member (Cllr Wynne Evans) over the last few years. He has had to deal with the school closure, the pool closure but this is by far the worst for him and it is terribly sad that there will not be a satisfactory outcome for all”.
Cllr Elwyn Morse added: “My sympathy does go out to the staff. They have worked very hard and have worked tirelessly with those in the community”. One of the recommendations added that the closure would be sensitively and carefully managed with residents being supported to move to alternative accommodation of their choice as soon as practicable, something which councillors agreed was very important.
Cllr David Pugh said: “It is being carefully managed, not only for the residents but for the staff as well. We have reached a stage where the building is not fit for purpose and we have to make this decision”.
Cllr Jamie Adams said: “The fact that the number of units in accommodation in use is around a third of the capacity, there is obviously a reason why people aren’t choosing Sunnybank and there are other alternatives. We will do all we can to support staff throughout this process”.
After the meeting, Narberth councillor Wynne Evans told the Herald: “I am disappointed by the decision of cabinet to close Sunnybank after 51 years of serving the people of the county. I have been given assurances that all will be done to support the staff in the coming difficult months as well as the relocation of the current residents. I wish to add that I thought the council consultation process was very fair and comprehensive; this is a sad day not just for Narberth but the entire county”.
Crime
‘Most extensive’ court order issued against paedophile with Pembrokeshire links

Predator jailed for historic child sex offences as police enforce strict post-release controls
A CONVICTED paedophile who once lived in Pembrokeshire has been jailed and handed the most extensive Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) ever issued in the Dyfed-Powys Police force area.
STEVEN LOVERIDGE, aged 60, was sentenced to six years and seven months at Swansea Crown Court in May after admitting to a string of sexual offences involving young children, some dating back as far as 2007.

The Herald understands that some of Loveridge’s offending took place while he was living in West Wales, including during a period he spent residing in Pembrokeshire. Police have not confirmed specific locations, but the scale and historic nature of the abuse prompted a far-reaching investigation across multiple counties.
Following his conviction, Dyfed-Powys Police applied for an SHPO so extensive it has shocked even seasoned officers. The order contains 20 separate and highly specific prohibitions designed to protect the public both during and after Loveridge’s release from prison.
Lowri, a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police’s Legal Services team, said: “In most cases, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order will contain two or three tailored conditions. Loveridge’s case was far from typical.
“The final order includes twenty distinct and targeted prohibitions. It reflects the extreme risk he poses to children and the importance of ensuring community safety.”
The SHPO legally binds Loveridge to a set of strict restrictions which will be enforced after his release from prison. These could include limits on internet access, contact with children, travel, and the use of certain technology — although the full details of the order have not been made public.
The force said the measures are part of a wider toolkit to monitor high-risk offenders and prevent reoffending.
Police confirmed that the complexity of the case, combined with the severity of the offences, led to what they have called a “ground-breaking” order, believed to be the most comprehensive ever imposed in the Dyfed-Powys region.
Loveridge will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
Community
Puffin found 110 miles inland released back into the wild in Pembrokeshire

Rare rescue sees seabird named Oona nursed back to health after landing in Herefordshire garden
A PUFFIN that somehow found its way more than 100 miles inland has been returned to the sea in Pembrokeshire after being rescued in a Herefordshire garden.
The bird, affectionately named Oona after a children’s book character, was discovered in June in the landlocked county — some 110 miles from the coast — and taken to Vets for Pets in Hereford. At just 218g, around half the normal weight for an adult puffin, she was underweight but otherwise alert.

Wildlife vet David Couper from the RSPCA provided guidance on her initial care, and once stabilised, Oona was transferred to the charity’s specialist West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset. Staff there say puffin patients are extremely rare — only six have been treated at the centre in the past ten years.
Ryan Walker, Wildlife Supervisor at West Hatch, said: “Finding a puffin that far inland is extraordinary. She quickly became a bit of a star here. Our team gave her a good clean-up, helped her regain strength, and she did really well during her stay with us.”
Following her rehabilitation, which included nutritious fish meals and time in a recovery pool, Oona was returned to the sea off the coast of Pembrokeshire — home to Wales’ best-known puffin colonies, particularly on Skomer Island.

Puffins typically breed in coastal colonies, raising their chicks in burrows during spring and summer before spending the rest of the year out at sea. It’s rare for them to be found inland unless blown off course or affected by illness or exhaustion.
Oona’s story is just one of thousands seen by the RSPCA each year. In 2024, the charity took in over 10,000 wild animals across its four dedicated wildlife centres, with many found injured, orphaned or sick in people’s gardens.
The RSPCA is urging the public to act quickly if they find an animal in distress. Where safe, they should take the animal directly to a vet or consult advice on the charity’s website: www.rspca.org.uk/reportcruelty
Crime
Youth, 19, appears in court over Tenby stabbing incident

A YOUNG man accused of stabbing a teenager in a Tenby housing estate on Monday (July 14) has been remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates.
OLIVER DOWLING, aged 19, of Newell Hill, Tenby, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 17) charged with three offences — including wounding with intent, possessing a knife in a public place, and possession of cannabis.
The charges relate to a serious incident on Hafalnod estate, where Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a man was taken to hospital after being stabbed with a knife. The victim, named in court as JOSH ALLEN, is recovering from his injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.
Dowling faces the following charges:
Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861),
Possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife, on Hafalnod estate,
Possession of a quantity of cannabis, a Class B drug.
No pleas were entered, and magistrates declined bail on the grounds that Dowling was likely to reoffend and could interfere with witnesses. He was remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Swansea Crown Court on August 18 at 9:00am.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a 20-year-old man had been arrested shortly after the incident and that no other individuals are being sought in connection with the matter.
A police spokesperson said: “There continues to be an increased police presence within the area, and if anyone has any concerns please speak to those officers.”
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