News

Pembroke Dock: Former nurse jailed for 18 months

Published

8 years ago

November 16, 2018

A FORMER nurse from Pembroke Dock who lied to an inquest about the death of a vulnerable patient has been jailed for 18 months.

Lorraine Stevens, aged 62, told the hearing she had prepared a risk assessment on John Shelley, a mentally ill man prone to drinking harmful substances.

But she fabricated the assessment only after he drank a bottle of Fairy Liquid and died the following day.

Stevens admitted perjury.

Swansea Crown Court heard how Mr Shelley, aged 68, had been brain damaged at birth and needed constant care.

Mr Shelley’s brother Martin was told he was about to be transferred to 10 Church Close, in Begelly near Tenby, west Wales, a four bedroom bungalow for mentally ill patients.

Mr Martin Shelley, an engineer familiar with risk assessments, visited the premises and became alarmed at the lack of internal locks.

In particular, he didn’t want his brother having unsupervised access to the kitchen where he might find something harmful to drink.

Stevens, of Kitchener Close, Pembroke Dock, should have completed a risk assessment but didn’t.

Catherine Richards, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that on July 13, 2013, a kitchen window had been left open on the hottest day of the year and Mr Shelley reached in and drank from the Fairy Liquid bottle.

Stevens, the team leader and the only qualified nurse on duty, told staff to give him plenty of water to drink and, later, to give him ginger biscuits and milk.

Stevens left work early. The staff who took over became concerned and he was taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

But his condition deteriorated and he died the following day through multiple organ failure.

Martin Shelley told the authorities he had not seen a risk assessment and Stevens suddenly produced one, assuring him that staff would have been shown it.

The report was produced at an inquest into Mr Shelley’s death held in 2014. Stevens told the coroner the four page report, which addressed Mr Shelley’s access to the kitchen, had been prepared on April 14, 2013.

Mr Shelley became suspicious because it had been signed only by Stevens herself when all staff should have signed to confirm they had read and understood it.

Police became involved and seized a computer from 10 Church Close which showed the report had been compiled on July 18, 2013, four days after the fatality.

After her arrest, Stevens maintained the report was genuine and dated accurately.

When she was told later about the computer findings she declined to answer any more questions.

Stevens’ barrister, Jon Tarrant, said she would live forever with the guilt and remorse she felt over Mr Shelley’s death, but described it as a tragedy without intention.

It was difficult to know, he added, if a proper risk assessment would have avoided the fatality.

Mr Martin Shelley was allowed to address the court and said he believed his brother might not have died if all staff had understood how important it was to keep him away from harmful liquid substances.

The bungalow, he said, housed four mentally ill patients but had not been purposely built for someone with his brother’s difficulties.

“I was assured that a risk assessment would be carried out before he moved in, particularly in relation to the lack of internal locks.

“He was let down in his hour of need.

“His death, pain, suffering and distress could have been avoided,” he added.

The court heard that Stevens had been struck off as a nurse.

Judge Keith Thomas told Stevens she had fabricated the report and then lied about it to avoid criticism.

“You did this to cover up the fact you had not made proper provision for the challenges posed by Mr Shelley.

“I am not dealing with you for causing the death but for you did cause additional distress and anxiety to his family.

“You were deceitful and your lies were persistent,” he added.

Local Government

Calls grow for independent investigation into Manorbier school closure

Published

5 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Councillor alleges misleading figures, inadequate insurance and poor treatment of staff

CALLS for an independent investigation into the controversial closure of Manorbier Church in Wales VC School are gathering pace ahead of a full council meeting next week.

Local member Cllr Phil Kidney has submitted a Notice of Motion calling for a full and impartial inquiry into the way Pembrokeshire County Council handled the closure process.

***Protests have taken place outside County Hall over the future of the school***

The proposed investigation would examine the length of time taken, alleged broken promises, insurance arrangements and the involvement of the council’s Human Resources department.

Cllr Kidney says the review should be carried out by someone who is not employed by the authority and should have the power to recommend disciplinary action where appropriate.

He said: “A full impartial review should hopefully stop another school being treated so appallingly.”

***Questions are being raised about the length of time taken, alleged broken promises, insurance arrangements***

The call has now been backed by Milford Haven Hakin Reform councillor Scott Thorley, who launched a strongly worded attack on the authority’s handling of the school.

Writing on Facebook, Cllr Thorley said: “The council’s treatment of this school is shocking. Misleading figures, manufactured pupil numbers, totally inadequate insurance and the worst thing was the treatment of the staff.”

The claims have not yet been independently established, but they add to growing pressure on the council to explain how the school’s closure was handled and why the fire-damaged building was not fully reinstated.

Manorbier School and the adjoining schoolhouse were severely damaged by fire in October 2022, with pupils subsequently moved to a temporary “school from school” at Jameston Village Hall.

Although campaigners had hoped the original school would be rebuilt, councillors later backed a statutory process to discontinue it.

The proposal attracted strong opposition, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition calling for the school to be rebuilt and more than 90 per cent of consultation respondents opposing closure.

At a special meeting on June 15, councillors voted by 30 votes to 23, with four abstentions, to proceed with the final steps towards closure.

***Pembrokeshire County Councillors recently backed a proposal to close the school***

The Diocese of St Davids also opposed the decision and warned that legal action, including judicial review, could follow.

Questions remain over the insurance cover in place at the time of the fire, the true cost of rebuilding or closing the school, disputed pupil and surplus-place figures, and the treatment of staff during the process.

Pembrokeshire County Council has previously said the Leader has asked the Governance and Audit Committee to review the authority’s insurance position.

Cllr Kidney is also seeking an apology from Cllr Paul Miller, the council’s deputy leader and Cabinet Member for Education.

He has asked whether Cllr Miller will apologise to staff and parents for comments made at the June meeting, including claims that children would receive a better education at St Florence and that Manorbier pupils were being taught in one room.

Cllr Kidney described those comments as factually wrong and insulting to staff who had worked to maintain education standards after the fire.

Both the motion for an investigation and the request for an apology are due to be considered when full council meets on Thursday (Jul 16).

Local Government

Memorial bench unveiled in honour of former councillor Mike Stoddart

Published

5 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN EMOTIONAL gathering was held at Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre as family, friends and volunteers came together to remember the late Mike Stoddart last week.

Members of Mike’s family joined Community Centre trustees and volunteers to commemorate a memorial bench installed in the centre’s Memorial Garden.

Mike, affectionately known as “Old Grumpy”, died on January 4, 2026, aged 85.

Alongside his many years of service as the county councillor for Hakin, Mike was also a dedicated trustee of the Community Centre and worked tirelessly on behalf of local residents.

The inscription on the bench describes it as “a place to sit and remember” and recognises Mike’s contribution as a centre trustee.

The Community Centre said it had been an emotional but special evening and thanked everyone who attended to pay tribute.

Similar memorials are also being planned to honour the late Eric Harries and John Morgan, recognising their own service and contribution to the community.

Community

Fire service issues safety warning as extreme heat raises wildfire risk

Published

5 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE is urging residents and visitors to take extra care as extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires and water-related emergencies.

The warning follows the issuing of a red extreme heat alert for parts of Wales, with exceptionally high temperatures forecast and emergency services preparing for added pressure in the days ahead.

Fire chiefs say the hot, dry weather has left grassland and vegetation particularly vulnerable, meaning even a small spark could develop into a fast-moving countryside fire.

Aled Griffiths, Head of Community Safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “With very high temperatures forecast across Wales this week, it’s important that we all take extra care to stay safe and reduce avoidable risks.

“We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine, but these conditions can increase the likelihood of incidents, including fires and water-related emergencies.

“Small actions can make a big difference, whether that’s using barbecues safely, disposing of smoking materials responsibly or taking extra care around open water.”

Barbecue and outdoor fire safety

Anyone using a barbecue is being advised to place it on a flat, non-combustible surface, well away from buildings, fences, dry grass and shrubs.

Barbecues should never be left unattended and must be completely extinguished and allowed to cool before ashes are disposed of.

The public is also being asked not to light campfires or other open fires, particularly in rural areas where dry vegetation can allow flames to spread rapidly.

Cigarettes, matches and glass bottles should never be discarded in the countryside.

The fire service has also reminded residents that burning grass or garden waste is prohibited at this time of year.

Open water warning

The hot weather is also expected to encourage more people to swim in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and other open water.

However, the fire service warned that water temperatures can remain dangerously cold even during periods of extreme heat.

Cold water shock can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing, panic and a sudden loss of swimming ability, significantly increasing the risk of drowning.

People are advised never to jump or dive into unfamiliar water and not to enter open water after drinking alcohol.