News
Neyland: Man jailed for possessing and distributing child pornography
A NEYLAND man has been jailed for more than two years for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.
David Leonard Smith, of Kensington Road, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Apr 20) having previously pleaded guilty to possession of extreme images, making indecent images of children, distributing indecent images of children and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
He was sentenced to 28 months in prison.
The 49-year-old was arrested and charged when Dyfed-Powys Police’s online investigation team (POLIT) carried out a warrant at his home on Wednesday, February 28.
He was requested to provide all mobile and computer devices to officers to be examined, and a number of devices were triaged by POLIT officers at the scene.
Indecent images of children were located on a computer tablet belonging to Smith, who was arrested and conveyed to custody.
During examination of the tablet, a large amount of text-based chat on a social media platform was also found. Further work established that Smith had been distributing indecent images of children online.
Detective Sergeant Mathew Davies, of POLIT, said: “We are pleased with the sentence that was handed down to Smith on Friday. He was already subject to a sexual harm prevention order but was determined to continue offending by viewing these horrific images and sharing them with others.
“Many offenders believe that by viewing and sharing indecent images of children they are not causing any harm, but it is so important to remember that this is not a victimless offence. Children somewhere have been subjected to this abuse, which is captured on film and distributed online – and we will do all we can to put an end to it.
“We urge anyone who has any information about people who are involved in offences of this nature to please report it – either in confidence to Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.”
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
News
Protest in Lampeter to save Wales’ oldest university
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Wales’ oldest university staged a march and demonstration last Friday (Dec 20) in a bid to highlight the plight of the Lampeter campus.
The protest, organised by the Lampeter Society, brought together former and current students, along with local residents, to oppose plans by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to relocate humanities courses to Carmarthen next September.
The rally began at Lampeter Rugby Club at 10:30am, with demonstrators marching to the university campus. Despite the timing—on a weekday and so close to Christmas—organisers reported a strong turnout.
Ieuan Davies, one of the organisers and a Lampeter alumnus from the 1980s, said: “We wanted to show support for the students whose education is being directly affected by these plans, and to remind decision-makers of the devastating impact this will have on the local economy and culture.”
Established in 1822, Lampeter is Wales’ oldest higher education institution. In 2009, it merged with Trinity College Carmarthen and later joined with Swansea Metropolitan University to form UWTSD.
The proposed relocation of the humanities faculty has sparked concerns about the long-term sustainability of higher education in Lampeter. Campaigners argue that losing the faculty would mark the end of over 200 years of academic heritage in the town.
The Lampeter Society has also launched a petition calling on the university and the Welsh Government to create a ‘viable, sustainable plan’ for the campus’s future. The petition requires 10,000 signatures to trigger a debate in the Senedd and can be accessed at https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246410.
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