News

Fishguard hotel becomes town eyesore

Published

12 years ago

June 24, 2014

FISHGUARD RESIDENTS were angered this week, as a local pub become a town eyesore.

The Abergwaun Hotel, situated in Fishguard’s town centre, was suddenly boarded up with metal sheets, which caused outrage amongst local inhabitants and Town Council members. The issue was even brought up and discussed in a Town Council meeting, held on Tuesday 3 June. Councillor Richard Grosvenor complained that “slapping pieces of tin on the windows”could be damaging to the town’s economic regeneration, and Councillor Alex Allison expressed concern of the timing, as Pembrokeshire heads into the height of the tourist season, suggesting it made Fishguard look like the “middle of Belfast”. Town Clerk, Sarah McColl- Dorian, said of the situation, “As soon as I saw the metal boards go up I contacted the brewery, Brains. They said it was done for insurance purposes, an insurance order, in fact. I then contacted My Pyart, at Pembrokeshire County Council, who confirmed that, whilst the building was not a listed building, it was in a conservation area and that this boarding had not adhered to planning regulations. These boardings are technically shutters and therefore need planning permission, and they should remove them.” A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Herald that, “Council Planning Enforcement officers have contacted the head of Properties and Acquisitions at SA Brain requesting that the company remove the screens at the Abergwaun Hotel within 21 days. If the company has a need to secure the site prior to a successful sale, officers have invited an application incorporating a design which preserves the character of the area”. Brains Brewery confirmed that their insurers had insisted on the boarding in order to protect the building, a pub which they say has proved unviable. They made it clear that they were more than willing to enter into discussions on any future sale of the property to any interested parties.

Crime

Driver accused of dangerous driving sent to Crown Court

Published

21 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Alleged incident in Ammanford

A MOTORIST accused of dangerous driving has been sent to the Crown Court following a hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Kyle Morgan, aged 27, of Heol Y Meinciau, Pontyates, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) charged with driving dangerously.

The court heard that the alleged offence took place on February 14 this year on Dyffryn Road, Ammanford.

Prosecutors allege that Morgan drove a motor vehicle in a manner that fell far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and that it would have been obvious to a competent driver that driving in that way was dangerous.

Dangerous driving is one of the most serious road traffic offences and carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a mandatory driving disqualification.

Magistrates were told that because of the seriousness of the allegation the case should be dealt with by the Crown Court.

Morgan was therefore sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance.

Crime

Witness intimidation allegation sent to Crown Court

Published

23 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant accused of confronting man connected to criminal case

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with intimidating a witness connected to a criminal investigation.

Justin Griffiths, aged 41, of Brynhaul Street, Llanelli, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) accused of attempting to interfere with the course of justice.

The court heard that the alleged incident took place on February 10 this year in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that Griffiths approached and verbally confronted a man whom he knew to be a witness in an ongoing criminal matter. It is claimed that his behaviour was intended to intimidate the individual and discourage them from assisting the police investigation.

The charge states that Griffiths intimidated a witness in order to obstruct, pervert or interfere with the course of justice, contrary to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Witness intimidation offences are treated particularly seriously by the courts because they can undermine the integrity of criminal proceedings and discourage victims or witnesses from coming forward.

Magistrates were told that because of the nature of the allegation and the potential seriousness of the offence, the case was unsuitable for summary trial.

The court therefore sent Griffiths to Swansea Crown Court, where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next appearance at the Crown Court.

Crime

Steelworks theft conspiracy case sent to Crown Court

Published

27 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Tin ingot theft alleged

THREE men have been sent to the Crown Court accused of conspiring to steal valuable materials from the Tata Steel plant at Trostre.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5), where the defendants appeared charged with conspiracy to steal tin ingots from the Trostre Steelworks in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that the three men – Christopher Carter, aged 38, of Pemberton Road, Llanelli; Scott Phillips, aged 37, of Bryngwyn Road, Llanelli; and Gareth Lewis, aged 41, of Heol Stanllyd, Llanelli – entered into an agreement to steal quantities of tin ingots belonging to Tata Steel UK.

The alleged conspiracy is said to have taken place over an extended period between July 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024.

Tin ingots are a processed metal product used in steel coating and manufacturing, and the material produced at Trostre is widely used in the packaging industry, including food and drink containers.

The charge alleges that the defendants dishonestly agreed together to remove the metal from the steelworks without authority, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Conspiracy offences are treated seriously by the courts as they involve agreements between two or more people to commit a criminal offence.

Because of the seriousness of the allegation and the potential value of the materials involved, magistrates ruled that the case was not suitable to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

All three defendants were sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.