Accused learning support teacher faces six charges linked to Milford Haven area school

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared before magistrates charged with sexually assaulting three children at a Pembrokeshire primary school.

Dion Lewtas is accused of six sexual assaults involving three girls aged between nine and eleven. The allegations relate to incidents said to have taken place at a primary school in the Milford Haven area between August 2021 and August 2023.

The prosecution alleges Lewtas was employed at the school as a learning support teacher at the time. He is accused of hugging the children on separate occasions and touching their bottoms.

Lewtas, aged 29, of St Marks Close, Merlin’s Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he denied all six charges.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to the Crown Court. Proceedings are due to continue on Thursday, February 20, when the case will be listed at Swansea Crown Court.

Lewtas was released on unconditional bail.

Dead nest discovered near Wrexham as Welsh Government urges public to report sightings to protect bees and other pollinators

A DEAD nest of the yellow-legged hornet has been found near Wrexham, in the first confirmed discovery of the invasive insect in Wales.

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax), also known as the Asian hornet, is not native to the UK. It originates from Asia and was first seen in France in 2004 before spreading to a number of European countries including Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and Germany.

Welsh Government officials say the insect poses a risk to honey bees and other pollinating insects, and are asking the public to remain vigilant and report suspected sightings.

The yellow-legged hornet was first sighted in England in 2016, and action has been taken every year since to locate and destroy nests.

While queens hibernate over winter, the insect is active from February to November and is most likely to be seen from July onwards. The Welsh Government has asked the National Bee Unit, part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to take action in line with the Asian Hornet Contingency Plan.

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies said the National Bee Unit had years of experience tracking and locating yellow-legged hornets, adding that its expertise would be “invaluable” in helping Wales respond.

He also thanked beekeepers and members of the public who continue to report suspected sightings and urged people to familiarise themselves with what the hornets look like as the weather warms up in spring and into the summer.

Anyone who suspects they have seen a yellow-legged hornet is being asked to report it using the ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ mobile app, available on Apple and Android, or by using the online report form.

Reports should include a photograph and the location of the sighting to help experts confirm identification. Identification guides and further information are available online.

Yellow-legged hornets are not generally aggressive, but people are advised not to approach or disturb a nest, as the insects can become aggressive if they perceive a threat.

Medical advice about hornet stings is available via the NHS website.

Pensioner describes ‘terrifying’ struggle as suspect made off before being arrested again

A RETIRED Haverfordwest woman has described a “terrifying” incident in which she said a man assaulted two female police officers during an arrest in the town on Monday night (Jan 19).

The pensioner told The Herald she witnessed the incident at around 8:15pm in City Road, where she said officers were detaining a barefoot man and attempting to handcuff him on the ground.

She claimed the man got back to his feet during the struggle, grabbed one of the officers’ batons and began striking out, assaulting both officers.

The woman said she was left shaken by what she saw, and that a young man who also witnessed events told her he did not want to intervene because he “didn’t know if he was carrying anything.”

She said police quickly put out a distress call and a number of officers were mobilised to search for the suspect, who she claimed ran off with the baton.

Dyfed-Powys Police have since confirmed officers were called “just before 8.20pm” on Monday to reports of assault and criminal damage at a property in Haverfordwest.

A police spokesperson said the man left the scene but was “quickly located and arrested on St David’s Road.” Police said he resisted arrest during which he assaulted two officers, before making off again.

The spokesperson added: “The man made off and was later located and arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage. He currently remains in police custody.”

Police said both officers attended hospital for treatment and were later discharged.

Chief Inspector Mike Llewellyn said: “Assaults on police officers should never be considered as ‘part of the job’. Both officers acted with courage in an incredibly difficult situation. Neither took a step backward and did everything they could to detain the man.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.

(Image: File)