Frazer to return to court next week for sentencing

SENTENCING has been adjourned for a Tenby man who admitted making indecent images of children.

David Michael Frazer, aged 33, of Highlands, Highlands Lane, Manorbier Newton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday (Nov 11).

Frazer had earlier indicated guilty pleas on October 21 to two charges of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1978. The offences took place between April 2023 and March 2024 and involved Category A and B images.

Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that the offences were too serious to be dealt with by magistrates and requested a pre-sentence report ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Frazer, represented by Alaw Harries of DJG Solicitors, was released on unconditional bail to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Nov 18) at 10:00am for sentencing.

PARTICLES as different as soap bubbles and ball bearings can be made to arrange themselves in exactly the same way, according to a new study that could unlock the creation of brand new materials — including those with promising biomedical applications.

The international study, involving Professor Simon Cox from Aberystwyth University, reveals how diverse particles self-organise into identical geometric patterns when confined. 

The discovery could help scientists design advanced materials for medical use – including in smart drug delivery systems and targeted therapies.  It could also offer valuable insights for tissue engineering where understanding how biological cells arrange themselves in tight spaces is essential for developing effective scaffolds and regenerative treatments.

The breakthrough was achieved using a simple mathematical model that balances two competing forces – how strongly the particles repel each other, and how tightly they are confined. By tuning these parameters, the scientists were able to predict and reproduce the same arrangements across a range of materials.

To test their theory, the team of researchers from the UK, Brazil and Ireland, performed experiments with floating magnets, ball bearings, and soap bubbles. Remarkably, despite their differences, the particles all settled into the same shapes when placed in carefully designed containers.

Professor Simon Cox, from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Mathematics, said: “What’s fascinating is that discrete objects as varied as soap bubbles and magnetic particles can be made to behave in the same way, simply by adjusting how they are confined. It is a powerful reminder that nature often follows universal rules, even when the ingredients look completely different.

“It has been a privilege to work with this international team of scientists, tailoring our computer simulations of material structure to confirm the universality of the patterns seen in experiments.

“Understanding how particles self-assemble in confined spaces is valuable for the design of new materials with tailored properties, such as in biomedical engineering where it could help with developing treatments such as targeted therapies and smart or slow-release capsules.  It could also benefit industry, helping with the packaging and transporting of granular materials such as powders, grains, or pellets.”

The research findings were published in the journal Physical Review E. The work was led by Dr Paulo Douglas Lima of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. The collaboration also included scientists from Trinity College Dublin and Technological University Dublin.

Photo:  Professor Simon Cox

Defendant claims self-defence after alleged attack in Haverfordwest

A PEMBROKESHIRE boxer has elected to stand trial at Crown Court after being charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man in Haverfordwest.

Callum James, 20, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, is accused of wounding and causing grievous bodily harm to Declan Laville during an alleged assault on May 25.

“There was an exchange of words and as Declan Laville walked out, Callum James began shouting and swearing at him,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When the defendant ran up to Declan, Declan knew at that point that he was going to be hit.”

The Crown alleges that during the assault, Laville was subjected to repeated punches and kicks to the face, placed in a chokehold, and stamped on the head. Photographs of his injuries were shown to the magistrates.

Ms Vaughan added that James is a local boxer who “used trained fighting” during the attack.

James denies the charge, maintaining that his actions were taken in self-defence.

Although magistrates accepted jurisdiction, James elected for the case to be heard before a jury at Swansea Crown Court.

Proceedings will begin on December 12.

He was released on conditional bail, prohibiting him from contacting Declan Laville or any of his family members, either directly or indirectly, and from making any reference to them or the police investigation on social media.