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‘Possessed’ man made threats to kill

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A HAVERFORDWEST man who made threats to kill has been given a 12 month community order.

Luke Sproson, aged 33, of Cuffern Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday (Aug 28) for a pre-sentence report.

Sproson pleaded guilty to a charge of using threatening words and/or behaviour in court on Tuesday, August 21.

Prosecuting, Mr Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the Court: “On August 10, he was making threats that he would harm his parents. The offence occurred just after 7pm at the Duke of Edinburgh Public House in Newgale.

“He appeared to be drunk and the police were called. When they asked his name he said his name was ‘Lucifer’ and said ‘somebody is going to die tonight’.

“He told the police that he would go home and get a knife and slit the throats of his mother and father. He was laughing and making a slit-throat gesture.

“Police noted that he was talking in a polite manner but that at times he was like he was possessed and they didn’t know what was coming next.

“His parents were spoken to but they didn’t believe the defendant would have had any intention of carrying out those threats.”

Defending, Mr Mike Kelleher added: “This is out of character for the defendant, he has been taking anti-depressants and, of course, you shouldn’t drink when you take drugs.

“On this occasion he had had too much to drink and he has no recollection of what happened but accepts the police say he said those things.

“This is not something he does regularly and he has not acted like that before and he is thoroughly disgusted with himself. He has spent a week in custody because of this matter, and for someone of previous clean character, this has been quite a game changing incident.”

Probation officer Julie Norman said that Sproson said he felt better and that his relationship with his parents had improved. She added that he had never been to prison before and that it was something he didn’t want to repeat.

Magistrates said he was very lucky to have such supportive parents and ordered Sproson to do 100 hours of unpaid work as part of the community order.

He will also have to pay £85 in court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Crime

Family pay tribute to 21-year-old woman found dead at Cardigan boat yard

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THE FAMILY of a young woman found dead at Netpool Boat Yard in Cardigan have paid tribute to her and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Corinna Baker, aged 21, was discovered at the boat yard shortly after midday on Saturday (Nov 15). A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, her family said: “We as a family are distraught at the loss of our beloved Corinna. She was much loved and she will be greatly missed by her whole family and all those who were blessed to have known her.
We appeal to anyone who has any information, however small, to please come forward. We ask that everybody respects our privacy at this time and allows us to grieve in peace.”

Detective Superintendent Wayne Bevan, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Corinna’s family at this understandably tragic time. We have specially trained officers supporting the family and ask that their privacy is respected.
I urge anyone with any information to please come forward and support our ongoing investigation.”

Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was at Netpool Boat Yard between 9:00pm on Thursday (Nov 13) and the time Corinna was found.

A police cordon remains in place at the site, and an increased presence is expected in the area while enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 101 and quoting reference 144 of November 15.

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Climate

Pembrokeshire Coastguard volunteers praised for Monmouth rescue work

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Broad Haven and Dale crews joined overnight response as Storm Claudia battered Wales

COASTGUARD volunteers from Broad Haven and Dale were among those praised for their role in rescuing residents during severe flooding in Monmouth as Storm Claudia brought chaos across Wales.

The HM Coastguard Area 13 Flood Team, made up of officers and trained volunteers from across South and West Wales, worked through the night on Friday and Saturday (Nov 14–15) to evacuate people trapped by rising water.

Among those deployed were Simon Ashton, from Dale Coastguard, and Daniel Church, from Broad Haven Coastguard. The pair joined colleagues from Penarth, Cardigan, Mumbles, Port Talbot, and Porthcawl as part of a multi-agency response involving fire, police, and ambulance services.

A message from NCI Wooltack Point commended the local effort, saying: “Well done Simon & Dan, teamwork all round.”

Major incident declared
A major incident was declared in Monmouth in the early hours of Saturday after “severe and widespread” flooding affected the town and surrounding communities. Firefighters and coastguard crews carried out rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks throughout the night, as up to a month’s rainfall fell in just 24 hours.

The Fire Brigades Union said fire and rescue services were “stretched to the limit” as Storm Claudia triggered more than 80 flood-related callouts overnight across South Wales.

Tireless efforts
HM Coastguard said its flood teams worked “tirelessly through the night” in difficult conditions, rescuing stranded residents and supporting emergency partners on the ground.

Area 13 Flood Team members included:
Rhodri Wake (Area Commander), Tom Larkin and Steve Matthews (Senior Coastal Operations Officers), Richard Hoyle (Chepstow), Keith Smith (Penarth), Richard Davies (Cardigan), Ricki Criger (Llantwit Major), Ellie Goss (Mumbles), Simon Ashton (Dale), Patrick Martin (Port Talbot), Jonathan Runnels (Porthcawl), Daniel Church (Broad Haven), and Mark Parkin (Duty Coastal Officer).

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Community

Work begins at last on Motor World site – but at what cost?

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A community drop-in meeting will be held on Monday 17 November

AFTER years of delays, foundations are finally being poured at the former Motor World site on Charles Street, Milford Haven — but the price tag continues to raise eyebrows.

Contractors W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd have begun groundworks overlooking the Haven, marking the first visible progress in years. The scheme will deliver 24 affordable flats for over-55s, funded through Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government.

The project was initially approved in 2019 as a £2.9 million scheme for 15 flats. It is now budgeted at £6.7 million — more than £270,000 per unit.

Critics say the cost is eye-watering. Councillor Mike Stoddart told The Herald: “Persimmon Homes would build you one, including the land, roads, and a profit.”

Industry comparisons also highlight how far the project has drifted from normal benchmarks. Recent analysis found the Charles Street flats will cost around £5,300 per square metre, more than double the Welsh Government’s mid-range standard of £2,513/m².

The revised design has added an extra floor, meaning the building will appear four storeys high from Charles Street — and five from the rear due to the slope of the site. The steep gradient has complicated construction and contributed to cost inflation, council officers say.

A community drop-in meeting will be held tomorrow (Monday 17 Nov) from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at The Lord Nelson Hotel, giving residents a chance to question the council and contractors directly.

How the site looked in 2016

Locals have long called for the derelict site to be redeveloped, but the project’s spiralling budget has become a symbol of a wider concern — that “affordable” housing in Pembrokeshire is becoming anything but.

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