News

Council to examine coroners report on tragic death of Derek Brundrett

Published

7 years ago

March 3, 2019

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL will examine the detailed findings and conclusions made by the assistant coroner who led the investigation into the tragic death of Derek Brundrett.

Derek sadly passed away in December 2013 after two attempts to refer him to mental health services had failed.

The Assistant Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire conluded that he intended to take his own life.

A 35-page report of findings and conclusions were made by the Coroner and the Council have said they will examine them to see what lessons can be learnt.

Cllr Josh Beynon asked at last Thursday’s (Feb 21) Full Council meeting, what steps had and would be taken to avoid another tragedy.

Cabinet member for Social Services, Cllr Tessa Hodgson expressed her sympathies and condolences to Derek’s family and gave details of a number of support services that can be accessed by
young people and school-based staff.

Supporting his question, Cllr Beynon wrote: “On (19/02/2019), the inquest into the tragic death of Derek David Brundrett formally concluded in which the assistant coroner for

Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, Mr Paul Bennett stated his narrative conclusion in the case as the following: “That Derek David Brundrett took his own life and intended to do so in
circumstances where despite efforts to refer him for psychiatric support, there was a failure to do so. There was a failure to refer by a social worker following a CPC on 12th June 2013; there was a failure by a General Practitioner to provide additional information when the referrals of the 2012 and 2013 were declined; there was a failure to provide the relevant information on the appropriate referral for relevant to a Looked After Child when the social worker seconded to SCAHMS spoke to Derek’s social worker. His death was in the context that on

November 25, 2013 he had been returned to foster care and was concerned about a return to the pupil referral unit”

Cllr Beynon asked: “Can Pembrokeshire County Council outline what steps they have and will be taking to ensure that they are doing everything possible to avoid another tragedy like this?”

Cllr Hodgson said: “The death of a child is a profound loss and I’m sure that I speak for everyone in this room and all the professionals involved in this tragedy in expressing my great sympathy to Derek’s family and friends.

“I would like to repeat and re-state our sincere condolences to them at this difficult and sad time.

“Derek’s loss is deeply felt by those individuals who had formed close and caring relationships with him. We have thanked the coroner for his thorough investigation and consideration of the case which has taken just over four years to resolve. The inquest hearing itself lasted approximately 16 months. On Tuesday, the assistant coroner for Pembrokeshire delivered a detailed findings and conclusions of over 35 pages.

“We are now considering the issues arising from the decision and what lessons can be learned from the process and what actions can be taken to ensure the safeguard and well-being of all children and young people served by this council.

“The actions will be considered at the earliest opportunity by our local safeguarding group, the Mid and west Wales Safeguarding board, which are both multi-agency, and also it will be discussed at our whole authority safeguarding group.

“The director of education has also provided me with a summary of the support we currently offer to pupils in our schools and this includes a range of support for pupils with mental health issues including the advice and support of a link education psychologist, one to one counselling as well as access to a range of specialist emotional health nurses and therapists through a dedicated emotional health and well-being team.

“In addition the recently introduced early intervention emotional health and well-being panel offers pupils access to a wide range of services to help build emotional resilience.

“Suicide prevention and self-harm training, co-ordinated by the local authority in partnership with the Health Board and designed and delivered by specialist primary mental health nurses, is also offered to all school-based staff. Schools also access advice around mental health issues from the Health Boards’ Primary mental health nurses.”

Cllr Beynon thanked the chair for allowing the late question and Cllr Hodgson for her response, asking if a report could go to scrutiny when ready.

Cllr Hodgson said she was happy to support that.

News

Sport Pembrokeshire Awards finalists announced

Published

1 hour ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FINALISTS for this year’s Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been revealed, with 39 individuals and clubs shortlisted for honours at the annual celebration of local sporting achievement.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “A big thank you to everyone who sent in nominations. The judging panel had an extremely tough task narrowing down such a strong field of candidates.

“Pembrokeshire continues to punch above its weight when it comes to sporting prowess, and I’m sure the awards will once again showcase both on-field success and the incredible efforts of the volunteers and coaches who make it all possible.”

The winners will be unveiled at a gala ceremony at Folly Farm on November 28, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire.

The event is sponsored by Valero, Folly Farm, and Pure West Radio, and will also see the presentation of three special accolades — the School Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

The awards recognise those who have excelled in sport over the past year or dedicated their time to coaching, organising, and supporting grassroots sport across the county.

Finalists (in alphabetical order)

Girls U16

Mary Falconer (Climbing)
Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)
Ava Tyrie (MMA)

Boys U16

Conor Cremona (Weightlifting)
Elijah Jones (Surfing)
Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Club of the Year

Carew Sports Club
Chaos Netball Club
Milford Haven Hockey Club

Junior Disability Award

Jake Evans (Llangwm RFC)
Jack Gray (Fishguard Thunderbolts)
Ella Meacham (Windswept Watersports)

Young Volunteer of the Year

Enfys Battelley-de Torres (Camrose AFC)
Alannah Field (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
Alannah Heasman (Haverfordwest High School / Pembrokeshire College)

Junior Team

BJJ Pembrokeshire Junior MMA Team
HHVCS Year 7 Girls Rugby
Merlins Bridge FC Under-14s

Unsung Hero

Sarah Bagley (Windswept Watersports)
Geoff Daye (Lamphey Cricket Club)
Jenny Lewis (Clarbeston Road AFC)

Senior Team

East Williamston Short Mat Bowls Club
Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Pembrokeshire Hockey Club – Ladies 1s

Male Achievement

Llew Bevan (Darts)
Liam Bradley (Triathlon)
Reuben Lerwill (Gymnastics)

Female Achievement

Sanna Duthie (Running)
Ria Jones (Judo)
Amelia Nuttall (Sailing)

Disability Sport Award

Rachel Bailey (Boccia)
Evelyn Thomas (Weightlifting)
Hannah Webster (CrossFit)

Club Organiser

Huw Jones (Haverfordwest Golf Club)
Leanne Jones (Camrose AFC)
Silfan Rhys-Jones (Fishguard Table Tennis Club)

Coach of the Year

Jamie Barrellie (Tenby Sharks Girls Rugby)
Rob Codd (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
James North (Kilgetty AFC)

News

Inquest opens into Begelly woman’s motorhome death

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Police and HSE continue joint investigation

POLICE have confirmed that enquiries are continuing into the death of a woman who was fatally injured while helping to move a motorhome outside her home in Begelly last month.

Carolyn Joyce Codd, aged 79, of Church Close, Begelly, died on October 28 after she was crushed by a motorhome on the driveway of her home.

Emergency services were called to the scene, but Mrs Codd was pronounced dead shortly after 2:00pm.

The case came before Pembrokeshire Coroner Gareth Lewis on Thursday (Nov 13) for the formal opening of an inquest, held via Teams.
The hearing was adjourned while police and the Health and Safety Executive continue a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

The coroner ordered that witness statements and a full post-mortem report be submitted by February 12, when the case will be reviewed again.

Mr Lewis extended his condolences to Mrs Codd’s family and friends at the brief hearing.

Crime

Cross-border tool thieves jailed after van raids in rural Wales

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Pair from Worcestershire targeted tradesmen across Carmarthenshire and beyond

TWO men who travelled from Worcestershire to raid work vans west Wales have been sentenced after stealing thousands of pounds worth of tools from local tradesmen.

Aston Amos, aged 35, and 27-year-old Robbie Bate, both from Bewdley, made late-night trips through Powys and Carmarthenshire during July, breaking into vehicles in Builth Wells, Brecon and Newcastle Emlyn. Tools worth around £13,000 were taken over two separate nights of offending.

Dyfed-Powys Police launched an investigation following multiple reports of vans being forced open. Officers reviewing CCTV footage identified a black Audi A4 travelling repeatedly between Wales and the West Midlands.

Enquiries later revealed the car had been linked to a booking at a hotel in St Clears, and that both men’s phones had travelled the same route. Amos, who was already subject to a court-imposed GPS ankle tag, was found to have been at the scene of the thefts when the offences took place.

When police searched the Woodman Caravan Park near Bewdley on 9 August, they discovered the Audi and a cache of stolen tools. Both men were arrested soon after.

At Swansea Crown Court, the pair admitted five counts of theft. Amos has 15 previous convictions for 24 offences, including vehicle theft and handling stolen goods. Bate has eight previous convictions for mainly motoring offences.

Judge condemns ‘cruel’ crimes

Judge Geraint Walters said the men had deliberately targeted tradespeople who depended on their tools for their livelihoods. He described the thefts as “organised and deliberate”, adding that taking away a worker’s tools was “one of the cruellest things imaginable”.

Defence lawyers said Amos had been battling drug and alcohol problems and was now sober in custody. Bate, who helps to care for his three-year-old son, expressed remorse and said he wanted to start a gardening business.

Amos was jailed for nine months, to run consecutively to an existing sentence for wounding. Bate received a nine-month suspended sentence, 160 hours of unpaid work, a 12-week curfew, and must complete rehabilitation sessions.

The judge warned Bate that if he breached the order, “you’ll be coming back to Swansea — and you won’t be going home.”