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Chevron blast: Who is actually being prosecuted?

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CLAIMS by Valero Energy UK Ltd, the company operating Pembroke refinery, that it is not being prosecuted by HSE over a fatal blast in 2011 have been contradicted by the Health and Safety Executive.

But the incident clearly took place when Chevron was at the helm – so why is Valero being prosecuted, whilst Chevron is not?

The answer is about corporate structures, and the law governing companies.

Chevron Corporation in the USA will not face prosecution, as it sold the company which operated the oil refinery to Valero Energy Corporation, another American firm, in 2011, two months after the explosion which killed four people.

That operating company, which was originally founded in 1916 as Texaco Limited, became Chevron Limited in 2006, and then Valero Energy Limited on 10 August 2011.

On 31 December 2013 Valero Energy Limited became Valero Energy UK Limited during a corporate restructuring exercise.

In effect, the company Chevron Limited, which was the company operating on behalf of the American oil giant in the UK is still operating, under its new name Valero Energy UK Ltd.

In law, a company is a legal person, meaning it can be prosecuted and found guilty of an offence, just like a real person. Even if a person changes his or her name, a prosecution can still be brought for an alleged crime before the name change.

In this case, the companies being prosecuted by HSE are B & A Contracts Limited, and the firm founded 1916 as Texaco Limited which is now called Valero Energy UK Ltd. If you think that is confusing consider that the refinery is now being run by Valero Energy Limited, a different legal entity to Valero Energy UK Limited – but both still owned by Valero in the USA.

If they were being accurate, Valero would have to admit they were being prosecuted – but as one company they own, but as another, and that Chevron Corporation is completely home and dry.

Confirming that there had been confusion regarding who exactly was being prosecuted, a spokesperson from the Health and Safety Executive told The Herald: “Valero Energy UK Limited is one of the companies that HSE is prosecuting. The company number is 00145197. That company was previously named Valero Energy Limited and previous to that Chevron Limited. It should be noted that the current operator of the refinery now is Valero Energy Limited, which is a different legal entity.”

A Valero spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have been informed that the Health & Safety Executive is to bring proceedings against Chevron in relation to the incident at Pembroke Refinery in 2011.”

“Valero itself is named as a party to the proceedings simply because of its subsequent acquisition of the refinery.”

The Herald does not agree that proceedings are being taken against Chevron in any way.

The families have been asked for a comment.

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Open day at new St Davids housing development

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]

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Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot

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CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).

The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.

Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.

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Crime

Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer

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PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”

Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”

Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”

Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.

Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.

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