Compensation ordered under Proceeds of Crime Act following seven-minute raid that stole £90,000 worth of bikes

AN INDEPENDENT bike shop in Aberystwyth is set to receive nearly £77,350 under the Proceeds of Crime Act after its family-run business was targeted in a sophisticated burglary last year.

Four burglars wearing balaclavas smashed their way into Afan Cycles on the Glanyrafon Industrial Estate in the early hours of Saturday, April 12, 2025. Within just seven minutes, they stole 22 e-bikes and mountain bikes with a combined retail value of around £90,000, loading them into a van fitted with false number plates before fleeing the scene.

Following a complex investigation involving multiple police departments, officers were able to identify those responsible. Gareth Corbett, 37, Wayne Draisy, 41, Gavin Johnson, 40, and Keith Johnson, 33 — all from Birmingham — were arrested by West Mercia Police.

The group had conspired to steal bikes and other items from the Glanyrafon estate between April 7 and April 13, 2025. All four were charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary and were remanded in custody. They pleaded guilty to both charges at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, May 19, 2025.

The business owner said: “We have built Afan Bikes over seven years with commitment, passion, and significant financial investment. This crime placed the business — and the livelihoods of our three full-time staff, myself, my wife, and our dependants — in a precarious position.

“While we are doing our best to keep going, the loss of assets, staff, income, and customer confidence has made this the most difficult period we have ever faced. Recovery will take time, resources, and community support — and even then, the future remains uncertain.

“We are grateful to the police for their swift response and hope that this statement provides a clear understanding of how far-reaching the impact of this crime has been, not just on our business, but on the wider community we support.”

On Friday (Aug 8, 2025), all four men were jailed for their roles in the burglary, receiving sentences of more than 30 months’ imprisonment for each offence, to run concurrently.

At Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Feb 12), Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings were finalised. His Honour Judge Walters granted confiscation orders totalling £77,348.16, to be paid as compensation to the victims. Failure to pay could result in an additional 18-month prison sentence, alongside the forced sale of assets.

Helen Kelly, from the Economic Crime Team, said: “For this local family-run business, this incident had a significant impact. Whilst it will not fix what has happened, hopefully the compensation from this proceeding will help them in continuing to rebuild their business.

“I hope this sentencing serves as a reminder that if you are profiting from crime, we will not only arrest and charge you but use all available powers to ensure that you are not able to live off the proceeds of your criminal activity.”

Withybush to provide initial treatment before specialist care elsewhere

PEMBROKESHIRE patients who suffer a stroke are set to be transferred out of county for specialist treatment under major changes approved this week by Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Under the new model, patients suspected of having a stroke will continue to receive initial assessment and emergency treatment at Withybush Hospital.

However, those requiring specialist stroke care will then be transferred to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, which is expected to become the main specialist stroke centre for the region.

Health leaders say concentrating specialist services in one location will improve outcomes by ensuring patients are treated by dedicated teams with greater expertise and availability.

Concerns about travel times

The changes are likely to raise concerns in Pembrokeshire, where travel distances to Carmarthen can be significant and ambulance journeys lengthy, particularly from rural communities.

Stroke treatment is highly time-critical, with outcomes often depending on how quickly specialist care can be delivered.

Campaigners have previously warned that longer transfer times could increase risks for patients in remote parts of west Wales.

Local care still provided

Health officials stress that Withybush Hospital will continue to play an important role in stroke care.

Patients will still receive emergency assessment, stabilisation and initial treatment locally before transfer if specialist intervention is required.

Where appropriate, patients may later be transferred back closer to home for recovery.

Regional plans still developing

As part of the wider changes across west Wales, proposals to develop enhanced stroke rehabilitation services at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth remain subject to further risk assessment and community consultation.

No final decision has yet been confirmed.

Changing role of Withybush

The stroke changes represent another shift in how services are delivered at Withybush Hospital, with specialist treatment increasingly concentrated at larger centres elsewhere in the region.

The hospital will continue to provide a 24-hour emergency department, diagnostics and other core services, but the way patients access specialist care is evolving.

Business owner issues legal threats and IPSO complaint to this newspaper while refusing to answer detailed questions about customers who say they were ‘ripped off’

MULTIPLE customers and former associates have come forward to The Pembrokeshire Herald alleging they were left out of pocket after dealings with Computer Solutions Wales, a business operated by Steven Grant.

Following our earlier reporting more people have come forward. The Herald has now spoken to a growing number of individuals who describe similar experiences involving upfront payments, missing equipment, delays, and difficulties obtaining refunds or wages.

The allegations span a period from 2024 into 2025 and involve sums ranging from hundreds to several thousand pounds.

Grant denies wrongdoing and has refused to provide detailed comment on specific allegations, instead issuing legal threats demanding the newspaper cease reporting on the matter.

The Herald investigation is continuing.

Customers describe similar experiences

While each case has its own circumstances, complainants who contacted the newspaper independently described recurring themes:

• Requests for payment upfront
• Delays or lack of communication
• Explanations involving disputes with landlords or access to premises
• Assurances that work had been completed or refunds issued
• Difficulty recovering money or property

The Herald has reviewed bank statements, payment confirmations, correspondence, and message exchanges relating to several of the complaints.

There is currently no finding of criminal liability, and disputes of this nature are typically matters for civil courts. However, the number of individuals reporting similar experiences has raised public-interest concerns.

NHS worker says she lost laptop and repair payment

One of the most recent complainants, Emma Venables, an NHS worker, says she paid £589 in October 2024 to have her son’s water-damaged laptop repaired.

Bank records seen by the Herald confirm a Faster Payment of £589 made on Friday (Oct 11, 2024) to Computer Solutions.

Ms Venables says communication became sporadic despite repeated attempts to contact the business.

Messages reviewed by the Herald show Grant stating the laptop had been repaired but was locked inside premises due to a dispute with a landlord.

Ms Venables later gained access to the premises through a letting agent but says the laptop was not present.

Grant allegedly suggested the device may have been taken by others with access to the building.

Despite later agreeing to refund the payment, Ms Venables says no money was returned and she has been left both without the device and out of pocket.

She told the Herald the situation caused significant distress during a period when she was grieving the death of her husband.

Animator claims nearly £3,000 loss

Cardiff-based animator Rebecca Merrell says she transferred £2,964.55 in December 2024 for a custom-built computer system which she says was never delivered.

Bank documentation supplied to the Herald confirms the transfer was made via Faster Payments to an account linked to Grant’s business.

Ms Merrell alleges she received repeated assurances the computer had been completed and would be delivered, including claims it was already in Grant’s vehicle awaiting transport.

She further alleges she was sent screenshots appearing to show a refund had been issued, but no payment was ever received.

The Herald has reviewed copies of documents she provided.

Ms Merrell says she was unable to work for months without a replacement computer and had to borrow money from family to purchase another system elsewhere.

She described the experience as having a serious impact on her confidence and mental wellbeing.

Another customer reports lost laptop and payment

The Herald has also spoken to another customer who says they lost both a laptop valued at approximately £1,500 and £589 paid for repairs after handing the device to the business.

They say they were later told the computer had been inside premises affected by a landlord dispute and could not be accessed.

No refund was received.

Further individuals have contacted the Herald describing disputes involving payments for goods or services they say were not delivered or completed.

These claims are currently being reviewed.

Former worker alleges unpaid wages

Separate to the customer complaints, the Herald has also been contacted by a former worker who claims they carried out work connected to the business but did not receive agreed payment.

Documentation relating to that claim has been shared with the newspaper.

The Herald understands the individual believes they are owed money and has considered pursuing recovery through civil action.

Grant has not provided a response to that allegation.

Timeline of disputes

Information provided to the Herald suggests the disputes span several months.

Some complainants describe making payments in late 2024 and experiencing ongoing communication issues into early 2025.

Others report refund promises that they say were not fulfilled.

The Herald is continuing to verify additional timelines as more individuals come forward.

Grant refuses detailed comment

The Herald contacted Steven Grant with detailed questions covering each allegation and the evidence provided by complainants.

He declined to respond to the specifics.

In correspondence, Grant said: “My mental health isn’t great.”

He also warned that further articles would result in legal action.

Legal threats issued to newspaper

Grant subsequently sent what he described as a “final and formal legal notice” to the Herald demanding:

• Immediate cessation of reporting
• Removal of published material
• A retraction
• Written confirmation within seven days

The Herald is continuing its reporting in the public interest.

Grant has also lodged a complaint with the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

Right to reply offered

Grant has been given multiple opportunities to respond to the allegations raised by customers and former associates before publication of this article.

He declined to provide any substantive comment.

Customers considering legal action

Some complainants say they are considering civil claims or seeking advice from Trading Standards.

Others say personal circumstances prevented them from pursuing action sooner.

Investigation continues

Since the Herald began reporting on Computer Solutions Wales, additional individuals have contacted the newspaper with further accounts.

Journalists are currently interviewing witnesses and reviewing documentation to establish whether those complaints can be reported on the record.

Anyone with relevant information is invited to contact the newsroom confidentially.