A MAN accused of causing the death of a six-month-old baby in a multi-storey car park in Tenby while allegedly under the influence of drink and drugs has appeared in court.

Flaviu Naghi, 33, from Wigan, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance following the incident on Thursday (Jan 2).

The victim, baby Sophia Kelemen, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, was visiting the popular seaside town with her family when she was struck by a Nissan Qashqai on the ground floor of the car park near Sainsbury’s.

Sophia was airlifted to hospital with critical injuries, including a broken pelvis and a brain bleed, but tragically died the following day (Jan 3).

Her devastated family have since launched a fundraising appeal to help repatriate her body to Romania. Writing on GoFundMe, Sophia’s aunt, Adriana, said: “Never in a million years would I have thought I would have to write a post like this. A seemingly ordinary day turned into our family’s worst nightmare.”

She added: “Despite the efforts of the doctors, Sophia could not cope with the impact, the surgery, anaesthesia, and the brain bleed. All the injuries were too much for her fragile heart, which eventually gave out.”

The family is hoping to raise £7,000 to cover funeral costs.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes at the car park, with emergency services flooding the area and a helicopter hovering overhead. One bystander said: “I saw loads of blue lights and people gathered. It was clear something very serious had happened.”

Naghi appeared at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (Jan 4) and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on February 7.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Our thoughts remain with Sophia’s family at this incredibly difficult time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Naghi was also arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving and remains on bail for those offences.

The investigation into the tragedy is ongoing.

A BY ELECTION will be held to fill a vacancy in the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward.

A Notice of Election was published on 6th January. Anyone wishing to stand for election must submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer between the 7th and 15th January, between 10am and 4pm.

For further information and to obtain nomination papers please email [email protected] or call the Elections Helpline number 01437 775844.

The Statement of Persons Nominated will be published following the close of nominations. If contested the by-election vote will take place on Tuesday, 11th February.

If you are interested in becoming a Councillor there is more information available on the Democratic Services page of the Council website.

Details on registering to vote are available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website. Anyone in the Prendergast ward who is not registered to vote will need to do so by 24th January to vote at this election.

Poll cards will be sent to electors before the election that will indicate which polling station to vote at.

Photographic ID will not be required to vote at this election.

MEGAN WARE, a Learning Disability Children’s Community Nurse in Hywel Dda University Health Board, was recently awarded the ‘Dame Elizabeth Fradd Memorial Prize for Outstanding Achievement’ by the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

This prestigious award was presented to Megan in recognition of her hard work and achievements across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.

Megan was nominated by one of her lecturers in the University of South Wales. There were many reasons that helped influence her nomination for this award. She has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to gain experience, develop and achieve. She helped with teaching year one community children’s nursing students in the Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ), sharing her own learning from her clinical practice.

Her innovation and encouragement have inspired others to feel confident within their future specialist practice and she has excelled clinically, achieving all the elements of the course to a high standard.  

Megan said: “I have always been passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives and I feel so privileged to be in the position I am as a nurse working with children with learning disabilities and complex needs. I was completely shocked to have won this award but feel proud at the fact that I have been recognised for my work and efforts in completing the course.”

Megan is also the first learning disability nurse in Wales working within a community children’s nursing team to complete her SPQ in children’s community nursing. The course prepares nurses to become a specialist practitioner following the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications. The skills taught involve health education and health promotion, how to improve quality in healthcare settings, leadership, and management and more.

Sharon Daniel, Interim Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at the health board praised Megan’s achievement, saying: “I am proud of Megan for obtaining this award and for being the first learning disability nurse to study for the Specialist Practitioner Qualification in Wales. It is testament to all her hard work and commitment to extending her knowledge as a nurse working with and benefiting children in our community.”

Megan plans on finishing her dissertation and completing her Masters degree, which will help further her career.

This annual award is for the most outstanding student in the Specialist Practice Qualification in community children’s nursing across universities in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Memorial Prize was established in 2024 to honour the legacy of Dame Elizabeth Fradd, a Fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute and a distinguished children’s nurse.