Community

Cops saved the life of a violent man

Published

6 years ago

February 5, 2020

A TEAM west Wales of police officers have been commended for putting their own lives at risk to save a man who was threatening to jump from a roof.

The Dyfed-Powys Police colleagues spent several hours in a tiny attic space trying to talk the man down, while he both attacked them and threatened to throw himself to his death.

Police had been called to Carmarthen on May 15, 2019, to carry out enquiries linked with a wanted man. On arriving at the scene, the man smashed his way onto a roof with a knife and could be seen running across the tops of four properties.

During a protracted incident, and in testing circumstances, officers ended up kicking through the roof to bring the man to safety. Their decisive action and composure ensured a safe resolution to a highly dangerous situation.

In recognition, 12 officers attended the force’s commendation evening on Tuesday, January 28.

Looking back at the incident, firearms officer PC Scott Patrick, said: “I have been in the job for 23 years, and this was by far the hairiest incident I have been involved in.

“Two of us were called to relieve the officers inside, and we went into the attic hatch where Inspector Reuben Palin had been for a few hours talking to the man on the roof.

“This man was on recall to prison, and obviously didn’t want to go back. He was highly emotional and the fear wasn’t that he was going to jump as he was threatening, but that actually he was going to fall off the roof as it was dark and quite slippery.”

Making the treacherous situation even more difficult to deal with, the man took out a Kinder Egg stuffed with drugs and consumed the contents. It was unclear what he had taken, but within minutes he became drowsy and his speech was affected.

The officers knew they needed to get him to safety quickly.

“He had pulled himself through a very small hole in the roof, and Reuben got him to put his leg back through so we could grab hold of it,” PC Patrick said.

“We didn’t know how he would react, but when he knew what was happening he started thrashing around and throwing his weight back.

“Three of us were holding onto his leg, and he started trying to take his trousers off to get away from us. It was exhausting trying to keep hold of him, and we were getting into a really precarious situation – it was boom or bust.”

The three officers were working in testing conditions – cramped into a small and dusty attic, and working by moonlight. They knew they would need to break through the roof, and PC Patrick motioned for colleagues below to pass up a saw.

“I grabbed it and cut through the batons, then kicked the roof through to get to him,” he said. “It was outside our normal working practice, but he had told us he’d taken heroin and sleeping pills, and it was getting really dangerous.”

PC Patrick tried to reason with the man, but he got more irate and picked up pieces of broken slate from the roof to use as a weapon.

“He started using it as a knife, coming down towards my neck,” the PC said. “I took out my taser, and he clenched enough for us to grab and cuff him. It was a massive relief to get him down after all that time.”

The man was helped out of the attic and was taken to hospital for treatment, while officers regrouped for a full de-brief.

“For me, the decisive moment was when Reuben made the call to go from a constant dialogue with the suspect, to saying under his breath ‘grab his leg’. He was the hero of the moment. If the man had fallen, he would have done himself catastrophic damage, and Reuben’s call was pivotal in ensuring we got him down safely,” PC Patrick said.

In recognition of the decisions made under tough conditions and swift action taken by all involved in the incident, the following officers have been commended for the parts they played:

Operational firearms commander PC Emyr Thomas, PC Glenn White (retired), PC Scott Patrick, Inspector Reuben Palin, Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees, Sgt Phillip Jones, PC Matthew Roach, PC Elinor Evans, PC Mike Andrews, PC Samuel Phillips and South Wales Police officers PC Julian Knoyle and PC Steven Fox.

Charity

Mid and West Wales volunteers recognised for supporting St John’s lifesaving vision

Published

8 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A VOLUNTEER who has dedicated 60 years to volunteering with St John Ambulance Cymru was among those recognised at the charity’s Mid and West Wales Regional Awards for 2025.

The ceremony, which was recently held in Swansea, saw a range of volunteers and staff receive awards and commendations for their work in a range of fields from responding to emergencies to securing funds from trusts and foundations to support the charity’s work.

St John Ambulance Cymru’s Assistant Chief Commissioner (Mid and West Wales), Beth Francis OStJ said: “This ceremony gave us a valuable opportunity to come together to celebrate the great work of St John People from across our Mid and West Wales counties of Dyfed, West Glamorgan and Powys and all they have contributed to their communities.

“The number and quality of the nominations we received was a reminder of the positive impact the charity has on a daily basis, and I know the panel had a difficult task in choosing the winners from the strong list of contenders.”

***Julie Carrod, Deputy Commissioner for Powys received a Lifetime Achievement Award. She is pictured here with Mike Francis, Commissioner for Powys, Mike Francis***

Eunice O’Hara received an Ultra Long Service Medal and 2 Gilt Bars for her 60 years of dedicated service as part of St John Ambulance Cymru’s Fishguard and Haverfordwest Divisions.

Her long and distinguished career as a volunteer and fundraiser saw her become an Officer of the Order of St John, as well as a member of the Gorsedd of the Bards with the title Eunice Urdd Sant Ioan (Eunice of St John) to signify her synonymity with the charity she has dedicated so much effort to supporting.

Another significant award presented during the ceremony was the Gerallt Davies MBE CStJ Memorial Award, presented in memory of the former paramedic and National Paramedic Officer for St John Ambulance Cymru, who sadly died in 2020.

Eunice O’Hara pictured here with Andy King, County Commissioner for Dyfed, received an Ultra Long Service Medal and 2 Gilt Bars for her 60 years of dedicated service on behalf of St John Ambulance Cymru

The cup is awarded to a St John Person who is active, dedicated, professional and aims to maintain and develop the highest standards whilst engaging and leading their colleagues. It is judged by an independent panel made up of external partners and members of Gerallt’s family.

The runner up, who received commendation for their impact was Gwion Morgan of Dyfed County, while the winner was Sam Davies, Operations Manager for Dyfed County, who also scooped the Volunteer of the Year Award.

There was also a Lifetime Achievement Award for Will Wall of the Abertawe Division in West Glamorgan, who has been a devoted member since 1988. In this time he supported events at Swansea’s Vetch Field for other three decades and has subsequently been on duty to support 200 games at the Swansea.com Stadium, as well as other events across the county.

Julie Carrod was the other recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, having dedicated almost 30 years of service to St John Ambulance Cymru in a range of roles including first responder, County Training Manager and Deputy Commissioner in Powys.

To find out more about St John Ambulance Cymru and to sign-up to volunteer with the charity, visit www.sjacymru.org.uk.

Community

Work begins at last on Motor World site – but at what cost?

Published

14 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A community drop-in meeting will be held on Monday 17 November

AFTER years of delays, foundations are finally being poured at the former Motor World site on Charles Street, Milford Haven — but the price tag continues to raise eyebrows.

Contractors W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd have begun groundworks overlooking the Haven, marking the first visible progress in years. The scheme will deliver 24 affordable flats for over-55s, funded through Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government.

The project was initially approved in 2019 as a £2.9 million scheme for 15 flats. It is now budgeted at £6.7 million — more than £270,000 per unit.

Critics say the cost is eye-watering. Councillor Mike Stoddart told The Herald: “Persimmon Homes would build you one, including the land, roads, and a profit.”

Industry comparisons also highlight how far the project has drifted from normal benchmarks. Recent analysis found the Charles Street flats will cost around £5,300 per square metre, more than double the Welsh Government’s mid-range standard of £2,513/m².

The revised design has added an extra floor, meaning the building will appear four storeys high from Charles Street — and five from the rear due to the slope of the site. The steep gradient has complicated construction and contributed to cost inflation, council officers say.

A community drop-in meeting will be held tomorrow (Monday 17 Nov) from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at The Lord Nelson Hotel, giving residents a chance to question the council and contractors directly.

Locals have long called for the derelict site to be redeveloped, but the project’s spiralling budget has become a symbol of a wider concern — that “affordable” housing in Pembrokeshire is becoming anything but.

Business

Festive fun as Milford Haven Christmas market returns to the waterfront

Published

19 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Traders, lights and family entertainment to kick off Pembrokeshire’s Christmas season

THE FESTIVE spirit is coming to life in Milford Haven with markets, lights and family fun as the town gears up for a packed Christmas programme along the waterfront.

Milford Waterfront is preparing for a busy season of events, starting with an indoor Christmas market in the Link Building from November 21 to 23, featuring handcrafted local gifts and festive treats.

Lucy Wonnacott, head of communications and marketing at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Every year the berth holder community, Milford Waterfront businesses and residents all get involved in making the whole place sparkle, so we encourage people to come and see their efforts and enjoy the lights, soak up the festive cheer, and visit the amazing businesses around Milford Waterfront.

“We’re delighted to host so many activities this festive season to support the independent business community here. There will definitely be something for everyone, and new to Milford Waterfront this year, the indoor Ice Rink at Sybil House will be very special – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone getting their skates on.”

The festive programme includes Santa by the Sea on December 6, when Father Christmas will arrive by RNLI lifeboat before heading to Milford Haven Town Hall for the town’s official Christmas lights switch-on.

The event, running from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, will feature live music, entertainment, face-painting and family activities.

Young artists aged three to twelve can take part in print-your-own Christmas card workshops at the Waterfront Gallery on November 22, 29 and 30. The sessions are free but must be booked in advance by calling 07949 763100.

From December 12 to 14, visitors can enjoy an indoor ice-skating experience at Sybil House, next to Phoenix Bowl. The synthetic rink will be open from 12:00pm to 8:00pm and is suitable for all ages.

The festive fun continues with Pure West Radio’s Purely Magical Christmas Grotto in the Link Building on December 7, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. Tickets must be booked in advance and include a visit with Santa and his elves, professional photography, chocolate gifts and more.

Throughout December, the waterfront will be illuminated by the annual Christmas Lights Competition, organised by Milford Waterfront, Milford Marina and Visit Milford Haven. The contest features decorated shopfronts, balconies and boats, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere across the area.

Visitors are encouraged to make the most of the season by staying overnight at the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, overlooking the marina, to enjoy the full Christmas experience.

More information about this year’s programme of events is available on the Milford Waterfront website.