News
Baby died an hour after birth following ‘failings’ by Health Board

A BABY died just minutes after being born following failings by Hywel Dda Health Board, a damning report by the Public Services Ombudsman has found.
Callum James was born at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen on May 5, 2016, but died less than an hour later despite attempts to resuscitate him.
His parents, Ellie and Christopher James from Haverfordwest, complained that there had been a failure to monitor Callum’s development during pregnancy and to provide a birthing plan.
Mrs James also complained that the Health Board failed to respond to unusual pains during labour and to conduct necessary tests.
The report states there were also delays in Callum receiving treatment after he was born due to the First Consultant being sent to the wrong ward, delaying emergency treatment by 12 minutes.
The Health Board said that, in its view, there were no unnecessary delays in the attempts to resuscitate Callum, as the midwives in attendance had been trained in neonatal resuscitation.
In addition, the Ombudsman found that Callum’s death was also incorrectly registered as a stillbirth rather than neonatal death.
The report says Callum was ‘pale’ and ‘floppy’ at birth and immediately transferred to a resuscitation table where a team of medics worked for over half an hour to save his life.
The Ombudsman upheld the complaint that there had been a failure to monitor Callum’s development during pregnancy and labour and to provide a birthing plan.
Hywel Dda agreed to implement all of the Ombudsman’s recommendations, including providing Callum’s parents with an apology and £4,500 for the distress caused.
The Board also agreed to change Callum’s cause of death from ‘stillborn’ to ‘neonatal death’.
Mid and West AM Simon Thomas said: “I would like to extend my sympathies to the family involved in these distressing circumstances. I support the Ombudsman’s conclusions and expect the health board to implement the recommendations of the report. I’ll be asking Hywel Dda University Health Board how they intend to respond to the report and hope to raise the issue with the Welsh Government in the Senedd as soon as possible.”
Crime
Milford Haven man to face trial over knife charge

A MILFORD HAVEN man is set to stand trial accused of carrying a pocket knife with a blade exceeding the legal limit.
Lee Lock, 37, is alleged to have had the knife hidden beneath a car seat while driving through Honeyborough Industrial Estate, Neyland, on June 5, 2024.
The Crown Prosecution Service claims the blade measured 7.62 centimetres in length—over the 7 cm threshold permitted by law.
Lock appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week via video link from HM Swansea Prison, where he pleaded not guilty to possessing a knife blade in a public place.
His trial has been scheduled for June 9 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
Lock, of Coombs Road, Milford Haven, was remanded in custody due to concerns he may fail to surrender to bail.
Crime
Pembrokeshire woman to face trial over crash after alleged cocaine use

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman is to stand trial accused of crashing an Audi into a wall and failing to stop after allegedly driving under the influence of cocaine.
Ruby Owens, aged 33, of Wayside Close, Simpson Cross, Haverfordwest, was arrested on December 21 following a collision at Prospect Place in Pembroke Dock.
She was later charged with four offences: driving with 22 micrograms of cocaine and 480 micrograms of benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite) in her system, driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop after an accident.
Owens appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where she denied all four charges.
Her trial is set to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 19. She was released on unconditional bail.
Business
Withyhedge incident team disbanded as complaints fall

THE MULTI-AGENCY group set up to deal with ongoing issues at Withyhedge landfill has now been stood down.
The Incident Management Team (IMT), made up of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Pembrokeshire County Council, Public Health Wales, and Hywel Dda University Health Board, was formed earlier this year to coordinate the response to widespread complaints about odours and gas from the site near Haverfordwest.
The landfill had temporarily closed in May 2023 before reopening in January 2024, after NRW confirmed that necessary compliance measures were in place.

Now, with reports of odour significantly reduced and pollution levels staying below World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds, NRW has confirmed that the IMT is no longer required.
In line with the improved conditions, a dedicated reporting system for odour and gas complaints has also been wound down. However, residents can still raise concerns through NRW’s standard incident reporting process, either online or by calling 0300 065 3000.
Independent monitoring of air quality will continue for at least another year, funded by site operators RML. Pembrokeshire County Council will continue to review this data to ensure accuracy and public transparency.
The static air quality monitor installed at Spittal School will remain in place until April 2026, with weekly results still shared with the council. However, Public Health Wales has said it will no longer routinely review the data.
Between January and March, the monitor recorded hydrogen sulphide levels above WHO’s odour annoyance limit on 13 occasions—all on a single day. No further breaches were recorded in the following seven weeks. Other monitoring in the area has not found any exceedances of either short-term or long-term hydrogen sulphide guidelines.
Public Health Wales said: “We are reassured that the air quality data does not suggest an ongoing risk to public health. With complaints now significantly reduced, we will no longer review the data regularly.”
NRW said it will continue unannounced inspections at the landfill to ensure the site remains compliant with its environmental permit. Its investigation into previous breaches is still ongoing.
The site operator, RML, has applied to vary the conditions of its permit, and NRW has confirmed that a public consultation will be held before any decision is made.
All agencies involved in the former incident response group said they will continue to share relevant updates with one another where necessary.
-
News7 days ago
Driver lies injured in rain for hours at Fishguard Port after fall from lorry
-
Crime6 days ago
Senedd member welcomes police crack down on high street money laundering
-
Charity5 days ago
Businessman ‘honoured’ to become Wales Air Ambulance’s first business ambassador
-
Community2 days ago
Warning after suspected drug-related incidents in Haverfordwest
-
News7 days ago
Festival pulls appearance by ex-MP despite acclaim for honest memoir
-
Crime6 days ago
Two Pembrokeshire vape shops face court closure orders
-
Charity5 days ago
Charity distances itself from viral post as £4,000 theft claim goes viral
-
Crime5 days ago
Two men sentenced for vicious crimes against badgers.