News

Pembroke Dock paedophile caught downloading child pornography again

Published

6 years ago

November 9, 2018

A CONVICTED paedophile was caught downloading child pornography on a computer he had bought just hours before, a judge heard today.
Paul Baker, aged 56, had been accessing child porn as police officers approached his home in Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Baker was already the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for previous offending of a similar nature.
Craig Jones, prosecuting, said under a condition of the order police made routine visits to his home.
Officers called on August 10 and Baker offered them a Samsung mobile and a Lenova computer for them to inspect.
But an examination of a router showed there was a third device in the house and officers found a new HP laptop hidden under his bed.
Baker confessed he had been accessing child porn websites that very morning and told them they would find “four or five films.”
Mr Jones said the laptop had on it 220 indecent images of children, including 14 images and five films within the most serious category A.
They depicted full sex acts being performed on children as young as two or three, he added.
Mr Jones said that, by chance, Baker had avoided a charge of breaching the SHPO. That required him to tell the police about any device he obtained that could access the Internet within 72 hours but the time limit had not expired before officers found the laptop.
Mr Jones said that while police were at his home officers saw him swallowing white tablets and he told them he wanted to overdose and kill himself. They prevented him from taking any more.
Judge Paul Thomas told Baker, “You don’t learn your lessons. Once again you have been caught with indecent images of children on your computer. These are awful offences.”
Baker was jailed for 12 months.
Judge Thomas issued a fresh SHPO, this one obliging Baker to inform the police before he bought a computer and not until afterwards.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.