News
Child neglect allegations cause family distress
AN ANONYMOUS party has accused a family in Pembroke of neglecting their children, The Herald can reveal.
Mr David Coombes, 52 and Mrs Tammy Coombes, 28, of Strongbow Walk, Pembroke recently received a letter from Social Services claiming that their youngest son Logan, aged six, had been taking drugs at the family home, putting himself and the lives of the other children at risk.
Mrs Coombes said: “This is outrageous to suggest that a boy of six has been involved in drug taking. At first we thought it was some kind of joke.”
Mr Coombes rang Social Services regarding the letter and they confirmed that someone had reported them, but were unwilling to disclose information about those involved.
The representative from Social Services said there had been some sort of ‘mix up’ when Mr Coombes spoke to them.
“We were completely horrified that someone could deliberately make these false accusations against us,” Mr Coombes said.
This isn’t the first incident that this family have had to deal with. “David’s mum suffered a stroke earlier in the year and we had to leave the children with his 21-year-old daughter who is more than capable of looking after them” said Mrs Coombes.
But when they returned a few days later she received a phone call from Social Services after someone had reported that her children had been neglected and not properly cared for.
“We couldn’t believe it, we have always been very loving and devoted parents and would never endanger the lives of our children” said Mr Coombes.
Both Mr and Mrs Coombes suffer with anxiety and depression and the recent letter has left them feeling isolated from the community. “We have a few ideas who is making these allegations but don’t feel its right to confront them directly” said Mrs Coombes.
“All we want is our lives to return to normality again. We feel like we are being harrassed for something that isn’t our fault. The next step for us is to sit back and wait in the hope that this kind of publicity will stop those harrassing us and stop them making these preposterous allegations so we can just get on with our lives”.
News
Open day at new St Davids housing development
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.
The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.
Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.
All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.
A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.
To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.
This will be held on Tuesday 28th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.
“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”
For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]
News
Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot
CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).
The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.
Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.
Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.
Crime
Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer
PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”
Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”
Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”
Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.
Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.
-
Crime6 days ago
Man in custody after admitting sexual assault of boy under 13
-
Crime6 days ago
Hotelier admits assault on partner at Fishguard venue
-
Top News6 days ago
Pembrokeshire’s heavenly host of angels gains spiritual promotion for Christmas 2025
-
Crime6 days ago
Cabbie and passenger caged for cocaine trafficking in Pembrokeshire
-
Crime6 days ago
Puncheston man admits making over 1,000 indecent images of children
-
Crime6 days ago
Attempted burglary at the Welsh Bakery, Milford Haven
-
News6 days ago
Year-long investigation by BBC Wales Investigates exposes far right group
-
Crime6 days ago
Mother of two killed by Carmarthenshire man who denies murder