News

Caldey Island: 20 victims claim monk abused them as children

Published

6 years ago

August 10, 2018

TWENTY people have now come forward with claims they were sexually abused as children on Caldey Island.

Father Thaddeus Kotik, who lived at Caldey Abbey for 45 years before his death in 1992, is accused of abusing children in the 1970s and 1980s.

Six women who came forward last year have received out-of-court settlements.

Since November last year, a further 14 have now reported abuse to police.

One victim, speaking anonymously to the BBC, described how the abuse had a devastating impact on her life.

She said: “I became an alcoholic, I had an eating disorder, and I was hanging around with drug addicts and prostitutes.

“I was in relationships with violent, alcoholic men and all these terrible things nearly ended my life because I was very heavily into drink and drugs, and living with a heroin addict is pretty full on.”

In February, a man, who went by the pseudonym Mark, also spoke out about his experience.

In the 1960s, Mark’s father befriended Kotik when they visited the island on a holiday and was sexually abused several times from the age of eight-years-old.

Mark’s family were invited by Kotik into a private garden, where he served them food and drink. This garden is where, the following year, Mark was abused by the monk.

The next year, Mark’s family were asked to visit again by Kotik. His father did work around the island to pay for the trip, when Kotik looked after Mark and his siblings. This time he was abused in the monastery kitchen.

Detective Chief Inspector of Dyfed-Powys Police, Jayne Butler, has said that specially-trained officers are now investigating the claims, as well as supporting the victims who have come forward.

She urges anyone else who has suffered abuse to come forward to the police.

News

Elderly woman to face judge for animal neglect charges

Published

6 mins ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

AN 80-year-old woman is to be brought before a district judge charged with causing unnecessary suffering to 11 donkeys and a pony.

Elizabeth Palmer is accused of failing to provide the animals with adequate and appropriate farrier care at The Retreat, Llethr Uchaf, Crymych, between September 5, 2023, and March 21, 2024. She is further charged with failing to ensure that the animals were kept in a suitable environment with an appropriate diet, adequate dental care, healthy coats, and protection from pain and injury.

Palmer was scheduled to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday; however, solicitor Kevin Withey, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, informed the court that she had recently been involved in a road traffic collision and suffered a fractured sternum. The matter was subsequently adjourned for two weeks.

Health

Over 1500 patients in Wales blocked from leaving hospital

Published

23 mins ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE First Minister Eluned Morgan has been pressured on her government’s failure to clear hospital beds in Wales, leading to delays for people seeking urgent medical care.

According to a report from BBC Wales, there are currently 1,600 patients across Wales waiting to be discharged from hospital compared to England where there are currently 12,000.

However, when comparing population sizes, it’s revealed that Wales is performing worse than its closest neighbour, with 0.05% of the population of Wales stuck in hospital beds compared to 0.02% in England.

The Welsh Labour government have been criticised for their failure to clear out backlogs in the system,

The Liberal Democrats have now called on the Welsh Government to provide urgent social care funding to local authorities to help alleviate pressures on the NHS in Wales.

Speaking in the Siambr on Tuesday, The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS described how over twenty years of Welsh Labour government in Wales had let to a “desperate situation in our NHS, with services nearing breaking point.

Welsh Labours refusal to change their approach and fix a system clogged up by mismanagement is directly responsible for the current situation faced by thousands of patients.

Delays in discharging patients from hospitals are placing huge pressures on both staff and those awaiting care, but there is a way out of this mess and the answer lies in social care.

I have been told by numerous professionals working in healthcare that the first step towards fixing our NHS is made by providing local authorities with the funding to fix social care services within their respected areas.

By dedicating adequate investment into our social care services, we can make life easier for patients discharged from hospital while also lifting the strain on health services throughout Wales.”

News

Milford Haven School celebrates U14 Pembrokeshire Hockey Championship victory

Published

17 hours ago

November 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL’S Under-14 girls’ hockey team has been crowned Pembrokeshire Champions, delivering an outstanding performance and securing their title after a series of intense matches.

The team, consisting of 14 talented players, demonstrated impressive skill, resilience, and teamwork throughout the competition. Under the guidance of Miss Griffiths, they evolved their strategy and showcased their capabilities with each game.

A Day of Victories

The team’s first game against YBP was a close battle, with Milford Haven securing a narrow 1-0 win.

Goal Scorer: Lola P
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Player: Lilly J

In their second match, they faced Haverfordwest High and dominated with a strong midfield play and clinical finishes, achieving a 6-0 victory.

Goals Scored: Olivia D (3), Ruby D, Lola P, Ameila C
Players’ Player: Olivia D
Coaches’ Player: Ruby D

After a brief interval, Milford Haven went on to face YHT, focusing on using the field’s width, which led them to a 4-0 win.

Goals Scored: Lola P (2), Annabelle G, Olivia D
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Players: Lola P and Macy B

In their final game of the day, the team played YGB, finishing with a decisive 7-0 win and showing relentless energy.

Goals Scored: Ellie M (2), Olivia D (2), Annabelle G, Lilly J, Ruby D
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Players: Lacey N and Ellie M

Miss Griffiths expressed her pride in the team’s achievements and her excitement for their future development: “It’s been fantastic to watch the team grow today, and I can’t wait to see how they progress.”

Thanks were also extended to Evans Coaches for sponsoring the team’s kit and ensuring safe travel throughout the competition.