News
Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats wants more pensioners to keep their free TV Licences

Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats have expressed their concern at the decision taken by the BBC to save £450m a year from 2020, to remove the free TV licence for those over 75 years of age from those pensioners not in receipt of Pension Credit.
This could see 3.7m pensioners currently benefitting from a TV licence, having to start paying from 2020. The decision was made by the BBC following the government’s decision to transfer the funding of licences from the government to the BBC.
Liberal Democrat Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson Jane Bonham-Carter said “Concessions for over 75’s are a social cost which should not be paid from the licence fee, but from central Government funding.
Government, not the BBC should be responsible and accountable for their social policies. If the Conservative Government does not want to pay for free licences for over 75’s then they should be upfront about their policy. However, passing the buck onto the BBC is underhand and risks undermining the BBC’s financial viability to provide what the license fee payer expects.”
Age UK have said that 1 in 4 over the age of 65 say that TV is their main form of companionship.
Alistair Cameron, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire said “There has been much coverage of this issue on TV and social media since the BBC made the announcement that it was withdrawing free TV licences from all pensioners except those on Pension Credit.
Many pensioners over the age of 75 are not able to get out a lot. For them, the TV is a really important part of their lives.
A lot of pensioners have to survive on a low income, including those who do not claim pension credit. Having to pay for a TV licence will be very hard on them.”
Andrew Lye, the Chair of Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats said “Many people are annoyed at the decision and rightly so.
I can appreciate that the wealthy over 75 currently receive a free TV licence as do those on a basic state pension. We must remember that there are many pensioners not in receipt of pension credit and struggle to manage on their pension. MP’s need to remember that the Conservative 2017 Manifesto committed them to free TV licenses for the over 75’s for the duration of this Parliament, and the ‘grey vote’ will remember this broken promise at the next General Election.”
Andrew Lye went on to say, “Of course with the latest released figures showing £3.1bn of unclaimed Pension Credit in the UK, I would call upon pensioners in Pembrokeshire to phone 0800-991234 as the website https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim states that phoning them is the quickest way to find out if you qualify. Who knows, you may get money that you are entitled to”.
Andrew Lye added, “We call upon the Government to resolve this issue as it is unfair that it will affect millions of pensioners and we hope that Pembrokeshire MP’s, Stephen Crabb and Simon Hart will make representations to the Prime Minister. Just because you do not claim or get Pension Credit, you cannot automatically assume that they are all well off on their pension. With the growing problem of loneliness in the elderly, especially where a partner has died, the TV is a vital lifeline and we should treat our pensioners better”.
Crime
Owner sentenced after Shetland ponies found in poor condition —one died

A WEST WALES man has been sentenced after two Shetland ponies—one dead and one alive—were found in a severely poor body condition.
Stephen Edward Griffiths (born 12 December 1962), of Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 13) for sentencing after pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
The court heard that Griffiths caused unnecessary suffering to a male Shetland pony by failing to investigate and address its poor body condition. He was also convicted of failing to ensure the needs of two ponies—a female grey Shetland and a male skewbald Shetland—by not providing a suitable environment, adequate diet, or treatment for rain scald and lice infestation.
Griffiths was sentenced to a 16-week prison term for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for two years. He was also disqualified from keeping equines for 10 years, given a one-year community order, ordered to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and told to pay £250 in costs. The court heard he was remorseful.

RSPCA investigation
RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben visited the location on June 18 last year following concerns raised about the welfare of two Shetland ponies.
“When I arrived, I observed a dead grey Shetland pony in thin condition with hair loss. A chain was attached to a collar around its neck but not secured to anything at the other end,” he said.
Nearby was a skewbald Shetland pony in an emaciated state. Its spine and ribs were clearly visible, and it had a skin condition. The pony had been sprayed with purple spray and was tethered by a chain to a tree.
A bucket of water was found near the pony, but the caller who alerted the RSPCA had placed it there.
Griffiths told Inspector Hogben that the grey Shetland pony had been dead for a few days but he had been unable to move the body due to a broken tractor. He also claimed he had only had the ponies for a few months and had rescued the skewbald pony from Cross Hands.
Veterinary findings
An equine vet attended and deemed the skewbald pony fit to travel. It was later signed over into RSPCA care.
In a witness statement, the vet described the skewbald Shetland stallion as being in very poor condition, tethered on a short chain of approximately eight feet.
“He had very limited access to forage due to the tether, and the available space was well grazed. He also had a severe lice infestation,” the vet said. The pony was given a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.
The dead grey Shetland mare was also in extremely poor condition, with a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.
“Her spine and spinous processes were protruding, her ribs were clearly visible despite her long coat, and her pelvis was skeletal. She had been dead for several days,” the vet reported.
Rescue and recovery
The male Shetland pony, later named Groovy Bob, has since recovered following veterinary treatment and has been rehomed by the RSPCA.
Crime
Pembrokeshire learning support assistant to be sentenced for child neglect

A PEMBROKESHIRE Learning Support Assistant has appeared before magistrates charged with ill-treating and causing unnecessary suffering to her two children.
This week, Haverfordwest magistrates were shown shocking photographs of the appalling living conditions the children endured between November 2019 and June 2024.
Their bedding was infested with maggots and flies, while a potty containing faeces was left in one of the bedrooms. Faeces were also smeared across the walls and floors.
“It’s difficult to say what effect this will have on those children,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.
The children’s beds had no appropriate bedding, only dirty rags. Magistrates heard that concerns were initially raised by one of the children’s teachers after noticing a maggot on the carpet near where the child had been sitting.
“The child said there were flies in his bedroom because of the rubbish,” said Nia James. “He also said he was unable to sleep because of the maggots in his bed.”
Following the school’s concerns, a welfare check was carried out at the family home in Milford Haven.
“Significant issues were noted,” continued James. “There was a stale odour, numerous flies, and a foul smell coming from the fridge. There was a limited amount of food in the cupboards, and the dining room was inaccessible due to clutter, as was one of the bedrooms.
“Faeces were smeared across the walls and floors, and there was no bedding on the beds, just dirty rags. Takeaway boxes and large quantities of rubbish were strewn over the floor, and in one bedroom, a toilet-type potty still contained excrement.
“These were the conditions the children had been living in for years, not just a couple of months.
“This was severe, long-term neglect, with flies and maggot infestations and the smell of urine on the children.”
James told magistrates that the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is employed as an LSA.
“As an education worker, she should have been aware of the circumstances, given her day-to-day job,” added James.
After hearing the prosecution’s evidence, magistrates declined jurisdiction after the 39-year-old woman pleaded guilty to both charges. As a result, she will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on March 11.
She was released on conditional bail, with restrictions preventing her from having unsupervised contact with her children unless approved by social services or police. She must also continue to reside at her home address.
Crime
Milford man remanded over cannabis possession and cultivation

A MILFORD HAVEN man accused of cultivating cannabis at his home address has been remanded in custody by magistrates.
Reece Cookson, 33, is accused of growing the Class B controlled drug at his property in Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven following a search carried out by police officers on January 19.
He is further charged with possessing 995.4 grams of cannabis and of assaulting a female causing her actual bodily harm at the Mount Estate on the same date.
This week, Cookson appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea Prison, where he is being remanded in custody pending his trial, which will take place on March 10.
Following a request from the Crown Prosecution Service, Cookson’s remand will continue due to concerns that he will reoffend and interfere with prosecution witnesses.
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