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News

Burns victim remanded in custody following flat fire

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DESPITE needing specialist medical care, a Pembroke Dock woman was remanded to prison by Haverfordwest Magistrates on Tuesday (Jan 16).

Hayley James suffered significant and ‘life-threatening’ burns in a blaze she is alleged to have started in her flat in Commercial Row, Pembroke Dock.

James is charged with arson with intent to endanger life regarding the fire, which began at around 6.30am on December 2.

No pleas were entered by the defendant The Crown alleged the accused put not only herself but the occupants of other flats at significant risk of harm.

As she had now been discharged from hospital after weeks of treatment, the Prosecution submitted that James should be remanded in custody.

Responding to prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones’ request that his client be remanded to prison, defence solicitor Mark Layton pointed out that his client had only recently been discharged following intensive treatment, which had included a tracheotomy: “On her most recent ward, she was given a great deal of flexibility. Her partner, the gentleman at the back of the court, has been visiting her.

“She has been allowed freedom to go out and have a cigarette she can’t walk so far as she suffered significant burn injuries.”

After pointing out that his client’s mobility was severely restricted and she was unable to get about without a stick or wheelchair, Mr Layton continued: “Miss James has suffered significant injuries in this incident. Putting her in prison is not going to be of assistance to her.”

Mr Layton suggested a range of bail conditions and pointed out that his client was not subject to strict supervision of the ward, while she was an inpatient: “My client was arrested on discharge from the ward, prior to that she was not treated with the normal degree of supervision.”

Mr Layton told the court: “The care she needs is simply not available in a prison environment. We would like to think that is the case, but I would suggest very strongly is that the care you will receive at liberty, would be better than the case you would get at liberty. When you have serious burns you need a level of care, I do not think that level of care would be available.

“I would suggest that in those circumstances that the interest of justice can be properly served with the imposition of bail conditions. The concerns the Crown and court will then be properly met.”

After retiring to consider their decision, the Chairman of the Bench told James of the Magistrates decision to remand her to prison.

Expressing sympathy for her condition, he reflected on the seriousness of the charges faced and told the accused: “We are remanding you in custody for your own protection after these dreadful events.”

James is to appear at Swansea Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on February 13, at 10am.

Community

Carmarthenshire man missing in Thailand: Last seen on Phi Phi Island

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A 26-year-old man has been reported missing in Thailand after his family lost contact with him more than eight weeks ago.

Daniel Davies was last seen on March 13 on Phi Phi Island, a popular tourist destination in southern Thailand. He had been staying at the Hangover Hostel in Bangkok prior to his disappearance.

A missing person report has been filed with Dyfed-Powys Police, and the case is now listed under reference number DP-20250329-215.

Daniel is described as being around 6ft tall, of slim build, with blonde hair and a beard. He also has tattoo sleeves on both arms.

Missing: Daniel Davies

Echoes of the Lost – a national missing persons initiative – has now joined the appeal alongside SARS Cymru, urging anyone with information to come forward. In a statement, they said: “Daniel, if you happen to see this post, please get in contact with your family. They are worried. If you wish to message us to pass information along, please feel free to do so.”

His aunt, Nicola Doran, has been sharing emotional appeals online, writing: “My nephew Daniel Davies, 26, from Llanelli – he’s gone missing in Bangkok, Thailand. He’s been reported and is now a missing person. No one has had any contact in weeks.”

Friends and family have been spreading the appeal across social media, hoping someone in Thailand may have seen him. One post reads: “Can all my mates out in Thailand, Bangkok area, please share this and keep eyes out for my lil’ kuzen – he’s been missing 8 weeks over there.”

Daniel’s disappearance has been reported to Thai police, and the UK Foreign Office is understood to be aware of the case.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or calling 101, quoting reference DP-20250329-215.

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Farming

Nonsense to base farm funding on population, says union

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FARMERS in Wales have warned that changes to the way agricultural support is calculated could see them lose millions in future funding, as allocations move from a needs-based system to one based on population size.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has criticised the shift, branding the move “nonsense” and “concerning,” arguing it fails to reflect the reality that Wales has more farms per head than England.

Under the former EU model, funding was distributed based on need. However, from 2025-26, support for Welsh farmers will be included in the Welsh Government’s overall budget and determined by the Barnett formula—a population-based mechanism.

Guto Bebb, Chief Executive of the FUW, told BBC Radio Wales: “This latest decision is very concerning because if there is any future increase in farm funding, Wales will be allocated a population-based 5.2% rather than the 9.2% share we previously received based on need.”

The change, announced in the UK Budget last October, has raised alarm bells among the farming community. Mr Bebb urged farmers and unions to ensure that politicians in Cardiff remain committed to backing what he described as a “crucial part of the rural economy.”

The First Minister, Eluned Morgan, had already voiced similar concerns earlier this year, warning the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster that the new model could leave Wales short-changed. “When it comes to agriculture, we should be significantly higher than 5%,” she said.

Despite the concerns, both the UK Treasury and Welsh Government have insisted the new settlement will benefit Welsh agriculture.

A spokesperson for HM Treasury said: “The Welsh Government is receiving over 20% more per person than the equivalent UK government spending in England. This translates to over £4 billion more in 2025-26. The full amount of agricultural funding from 2024-25 has been baselined into this settlement.”

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government said it welcomes having full discretion over agricultural support spending and confirmed that more than £366 million has been allocated this year—an increase from the previous year when farm funding was still ringfenced.

However, farming leaders remain sceptical, warning that the shift could jeopardise livelihoods in rural communities if funding does not continue to reflect the true scale and nature of Wales’ agricultural sector.

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Farming

Bird flu restrictions lifted after major outbreak in Shropshire

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BIRD FLU restrictions requiring poultry and captive birds to be housed indoors in part of Shropshire have been lifted.

The measures were introduced in January following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at Griffiths Family Farms, part of Oakland Farm Eggs, near Wem.

A 3km protection zone and a wider 10km surveillance zone were established around the site. The surveillance zone extended into the Wrexham local authority area.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that disease control measures have now been completed. The area previously within the protection zone is now part of the surveillance zone only.

Around one million hens had to be culled at the site—one of the largest poultry farms in the UK—after the virus was detected in the flock.

Under protection zone rules, all poultry and captive birds must be kept indoors. Surveillance zone rules require premises to keep records of all poultry and egg movements in and out of the area.

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