News

Union says Ledwood is ‘worst employer’ during Covid-19 pandemic

Published

6 years ago

April 15, 2020

A PEMBROKESHIRE based engineering company has been branded the “worst employer” in their response amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The GMB Union, which represents over 620,000 workers nationally, has hit out at Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, based in Pembroke Dock, at their handling of employees rights during the Covid-19 crisis.

Managing Director, Nick Revell, has hit back at what he calls ‘unfounded comments.’

The firm, which has been a longstanding employer within the county, contacted their employees on Wednesday (April 8) by email to inform them there was no requirement for staff to sign furlough agreements, as they were covered by a layoff clause within their contract.
GMB have taken to their website to claim this clause “simply does not exist”.

Ledwood have committed to paying staff just 50% of their basic contracted hours as a furlough payment, with the promise to reimburse workers only if the company qualifies for the government support scheme.

In addition, during the first four days that workers were laid off, the company has informed staff they will only receive statutory guaranteed pay which amounts to just £29. GMB have stepped in to label this illegal with staff entitled to 100% pay.
GMB have reassured members that they will fight the management through the courts if needed, calling the changes illegal.
Jeff Beck, GMB regional organiser said: “We’ve been dealing with many companies across Pembrokeshire who are all responding to COVID-19, and without doubt Leadwood Engineering have been the worst.

“We’ve seen worker’s contracts and the layoff clause they claim to be using, simply does not exist.

“Whilst we all face uncertainty, the Governments rules are very clear that staff need to be consulted before their contracts are changed and Furloughed staff should be entitled to at least 80% of their pay.

“GMB members should have no doubt that we will fight any illegal deduction of wages all the way to the courts and recover the monies owed to them.”

MD Nick Revell said: “These are incredibly difficult times for everyone as we unite as a country to protect lives and livelihoods.

“Our absolute priority is the safety and welfare of our employees which is why we introduced safe working operations to comply with social distancing rules as quickly as possible. We are also doing our best to secure the long-term commercial viability of the business so that we can continue to employ as many people as possible. This is particularly important in an area like Pembrokeshire where employment opportunities are limited.

“That’s why we are doing all that we can, as quickly as we can to protect and support our employees including furloughing wherever possible. At all times, this has been and will continue to be in line with Government guidelines.

“It is therefore very disappointing that our trade union partners have chosen to make such unfair and unfounded comments. We had hoped that they would understand the commercial and economic reality of the impact that Covid-19 is having on our business and adopted a more supportive and collaborative approach to addressing the challenges together.”

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

19 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

25 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

41 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.