News

Dropping a fag butt cost nine people hundreds of pounds

Published

7 years ago

January 17, 2019

NINE people were summonsed to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 17) after being charged with dropping cigarette ends.

The charges were laid before the court because the defendants had been given tickets by the council’s new private enforcement contractor – dubbed on social media as ‘the fag butt police’ because many feel they are not targeting the more serious littering, but instead hiding in vehicles watching smokers.

The defendants were as follows:

– Rita Allen of Westgate Street in Cardiff
– Nathan Clarke of Sunningdale Drive, Milford Haven
– Elena Coman of Puffin Way, Haverfordwest
– Albert Mlynarski of Graham Street in Newport, Gwent
– Daniel Power of Observatory Avenue in Hakin, Milford Haven
– Mario Rupez of Portfield, Haverfordwest
– Eleri Territt of Richard John Road, Milford Haven
– Paul White of Williamson Street in Pembroke
– Samantha Williams of St Patricks Road in Pembroke Dock

Just two of the defendants charged attended the court. The rest were convicted in absence.

The defendants which showed up to court were fined £150, whilst the ones convicted in absence were fined £200.

All defendants had to pay a £255 prosecution costs and £30 victim surcharge.

The charges brought were under Section 87(1) and (5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The wording on the charge sheet was that each person ‘dropped or otherwise deposited litter, namely a cigarette and left it in a place’.

Defendant Nathan Clark did offer to pick his butt up, but was told that it was too late now he had been clocked, the court heard.

Was the enforcement officer right? A good question for legal scholars would be what would happen if the defendants were seen dropping the cigarette end to stand on it and put it out, but then decided to pick it up and take it home after being clocked by the enforcement officer. Answer in the Herald next week.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

19 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.