News

‘Inspiring paramedic’ dies in diving accident

Published

12 years ago

March 31, 2014

A PARAMEDIC originally from Saundersfoot has died in the Maldives whilst carrying out charity work.

It is understood that Dai Rees, who worked for the South Western Ambulance Service (SAWSFT), died after falling unconscious in a scuba diving accident.

He died while on a trip trying to improve the island’s emergency medical services. SWASFT Chief Executive Ken Wenman said: “Tragically, Dai was involved in a diving accident whilst carrying out charity work in the Maldives.”

He also said Mr Rees was working with the Maldivian Sihhath Institute, which involved aiding the local population of the Maldives.

Mr Rees established the Sihhath Initiative with three colleagues, Thomas Scott, Andy Wade and Adam Khan. The paramedic decided to set up the initiative when he discovered that the first aid provision in the Maldives was very dismal, whilst he was volunteering there.

SWASFT frequently donates used equipment to the initiative, and continues to support it through other means. The Chief Executive of SWASFT continued: “Dai was a well-liked and respected member of staff and on behalf of the Trust I would like to offer my condolences to his family, friends and work colleagues.”

Dai attended Ysgol Greenhill School in Tenby, and then enrolled at the Trinity College of Music (London) in 2000, where he studied for four years. He then moved to Dorset to work as a paramedic for SWASFT. Online tributes dedicated to Mr Rees have been paid. One post described him as a “lovely, friendly, professional, highly respected and well-loved guy.”

Luke Roberts-Andreou, a volunteer for the SWASFT, posted a tribute on Twitter: “Stunned by the passing of Dai Rees. An inspiring paramedic and a genuinely nice person.”

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national on March 16 in Maldives. We are providing consular assistance at this difficult time.”

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

4 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.