News

Neyland: Paedophile sentenced to 28 years in prison

Published

7 years ago

June 29, 2018

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND paedophile John Smith has received a 28 year extended sentence for a string of child sex offences.

Smith, once known as Mathew Griffiths, had been found guilty of all the 28 child sex offences against him.

Smith, aged 47, of High Street, was told the sentence would be made up of a 21-year custodial element, of which he must serve 14 years before being allowed to even apply for parole.

Judge Paul Thomas, sitting at Swansea Crown Court, said Smith would be under stringent licence conditions until 2046 irrespective of when he is released.

Smith was found guilty of buggery, indecent assault, indecency with a child, sexual assault and vaginal intercourse with a girl aged under 13

He was also convicted of possessing indecent images of children, making such images, and the possession of extreme pornography depicting women having sex with dogs and horses.

The child assault charges involved three girls and a boy, all of whom are now adults.

Smith had denied all the charges but was convicted after a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard victim impact statements from each of his victims in which they told how their lives had been blighted by the sex abuse.

Judge Thomas told Smith he had a sexual appetite for young girls and boys, and thought only of his ‘wicked, paedophile end’.

Those he had abused, he added, had been devastated but Smith had shown ‘not a shred of remorse’.

“You called them liars and that contributed to their distress. You tried only to save your own skin,” said the judge.

Judge Thomas said he believed Mathew Griffiths had changed his name to John Smith – ‘showing a certain lack of imagination’ – to try and stop his past catching up with him.

Judge Thomas said he was confident that the steps he had taken would ensure that Smith would never again have access to young children.

After Smith had been led away he praised the victims for their courage in going to the police and the dignity they had displayed during the judicial process.

The officer in charge of the case, DC Lisa Roberts, dedicated eight months to this investigation wanting to secure a conviction for the victims.

DC Roberts said: “I have dedicated a huge amount of time and effort in this investigation. However, this is nothing compared to what the victims went through and worth every second because it wasn’t me that got him to court.

“The resilience, strength and courage of the victims was outstanding and without them and their commitment through some very demanding and stressful times we simply wouldn’t have had the result we had.

“I personally would like to thank the brave victims for coming forward and pursuing this case after what has been a long and complex investigation.”

Detective Inspector Cameron Ritchie said: “I commend the efforts of the officers involved in securing the conviction and sentence of this offender.

“Smith’s actions will have a lifelong effect on our four victims and their bravery is commendable. It is so important that survivors have the confidence to come forward and report these crimes no matter how much time has passed.

“I hope anyone else who has experienced similar abuse at any stage of their life can find courage from this case to see that all reports will be taken seriously by Dyfed-Powys Police and fully investigated.”

If you have been a victim of non-recent child sexual abuse, or abuse that is happening now, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101 and ask to speak to an officer in confidence. You will be listened to and you will be taken seriously. An initial report can also be made online via their website: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/contact-us/report-an-incident/.

Regardless of whether you choose to report the crime, Goleudy Victim and Witness Service can provide you with further support and assistance. Call 0300 1232996 or email [email protected]

Victims of child sexual abuse are also encouraged to think about sharing their experience with The Truth Project, which is part of the Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse cases (IICSA). It was set up in 2015 to investigate organisations and institutions that have failed to protect children from sexual abuse. By sharing their experiences, victims and survivors make an important contribution to the work of the Inquiry and their experiences will feed into and influence the findings and recommendations. Visit www.truthproject.org.uk for more information.

Community

Sunshine, sparkle and spirit at Neyland Carnival 2025

Published

4 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Crowds pack the streets for a colourful celebration of community and creativity

NEYLAND was transformed into a vibrant sea of colour and celebration today (Saturday, July 12) as the town’s annual carnival returned in spectacular style — and under glorious blue skies.

Starting at 1:00pm, the carnival procession wound its way through packed streets, with floats and walkers bursting with imagination, humour and local pride. Themed entries included everything from 1940s nostalgia and reggae celebrations to cartoon characters, The Thunderbirds car and even a military-style jeep escorting Winston Churchill himself (or at least a very convincing impersonator).

Youngsters aboard the Neyland Sports float cheered and waved to onlookers, while others handed out sweets, high-fived the crowd, and danced to booming music.

There were fancy dress costumes galore — from tiny tots in prams disguised as pirate ships to a full marching troupe of blue-suited cartoon postmen. Spectators were treated to a joyous mix of confetti, retro tunes and community cheer as each entry passed by.

After the parade, the fun continued on the Athletic Club field, with fairground rides, food stalls and live entertainment carrying the spirit of the carnival into the late afternoon.

One local resident said: “It’s the best carnival we’ve had in years. The effort people have put in is amazing — and the weather’s just made it perfect.”

Organisers were quick to thank all volunteers, stewards, sponsors, and parade participants for making the day such a roaring success.

The Herald will be sharing a full photo gallery online — so keep an eye out and tag your friends!

News

Third robbery in two months at Milford Haven shop

Published

5 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Two women arrested after latest armed raid at Pill Corner Store

POLICE are investigating a third robbery in just two months at Pill Corner Store in Milford Haven, following an armed incident on Friday evening (July 11).

At around 5:50pm, two women wearing face coverings and reportedly armed with a knife entered the convenience store and demanded cash from staff. They then fled the scene on foot, heading in the direction of Great North Road.

A 43-year-old male shop worker was present during the incident but was not physically injured.

Two women from the Pembrokeshire area, aged 30 and 25, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remain in police custody.

Previous incidents

This latest robbery follows two previous incidents at the same premises:

On May 17, a masked man wielding a Stanley knife entered the store at around 10:00am and demanded money from the till before fleeing with around £50. The suspect has not been identified.

On June 21, a 29-year-old man was arrested after using force to steal a bottle of vodka from the shop. He was detained by police shortly after the incident and remains under investigation.

The string of incidents has prompted concern among local residents and business owners, with calls for increased police presence and better protection for retail staff.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We would like to thank the local community who have supported officers with their investigations so far.”

Anyone with information about the latest robbery or the earlier incidents is urged to contact police:

🔹 Online: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/
🔹 Email: [email protected]
🔹 Phone: 101

Quote reference: robbery at Pill Corner Store, Milford Haven – July 11.

Business

Bristol Airport takes legal action over Welsh Government’s £205m Cardiff Airport subsidy

Published

8 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cross-border row intensifies as Bristol claims unfair advantage

BRISTOL Airport has filed a legal challenge against the Welsh Government over what it calls “unprecedented” public funding for Cardiff Airport, escalating a long-standing dispute over state support and regional air travel.

The legal action, submitted to the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, relates to a £205.2 million subsidy package announced earlier this year to support Cardiff Airport over the next decade. This sum is in addition to nearly £200 million already invested by the Welsh Government since it bought the airport for £52 million in 2013.

Bristol Airport argues that the funding gives Cardiff Airport an unfair competitive advantage, distorting the regional aviation market and potentially shifting passengers and airline services across the Severn without generating net economic growth. It also claims the Welsh Government failed to properly consult or consider alternative views before confirming the funding arrangement.

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “We fully support competition between airports, but it must be fair. This extraordinary level of subsidy risks undermining that.”

Welsh Government defends investment

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, confirmed that legal notice had been received and defended the subsidy, describing Cardiff Airport as “a strategic asset” for Wales.

She said: “Cardiff Airport is of vital importance to the South Wales economy, supporting thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. This investment will help the airport grow sustainably and contribute to wider regional prosperity.”

The Welsh Government has repeatedly emphasised its long-term commitment to seeing Cardiff Airport thrive under public ownership, citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation sector and the importance of maintaining a national airport.

Political fallout

The Welsh Conservatives have criticised the latest subsidy, calling it poor value for taxpayers and demanding the airport be returned to private hands. In the Senedd, opposition members have questioned why so much public money is being spent on an airport that has struggled to break even.

Cardiff Airport, meanwhile, continues to operate as normal. The management has welcomed the support and said the funding will help maintain services, attract new routes, and improve passenger facilities.

Background

Cardiff Airport has long trailed behind Bristol in terms of passenger numbers, with the English airport handling around 9 million travellers a year compared to Cardiff’s 1.5 million. Bristol has expanded rapidly in recent years, attracting major low-cost carriers, while Cardiff has faced repeated challenges retaining key routes and airlines.

The outcome of the legal challenge could have wide-ranging implications for how devolved governments can support transport infrastructure without breaching UK competition rules. The case is expected to be heard later this year.

Legal experts sceptical about Bristol’s chances

Despite the strong language in Bristol’s complaint, legal observers believe the case is likely to fail. Cardiff Airport is a publicly owned asset, and governments have broad powers to invest in infrastructure they own—especially when it serves a recognised public purpose, such as economic development or regional connectivity.

Under the UK’s post-Brexit Subsidy Control Act 2022, devolved administrations have greater flexibility to provide targeted support, so long as it meets criteria such as necessity and proportionality. Moreover, with Cardiff Airport handling a fraction of Bristol’s passenger volume, it may be difficult to prove that the subsidy causes real distortion in the market.

Unless Bristol can demonstrate direct commercial harm and show that the Welsh Government broke procedural rules, the case is likely to be dismissed.