News

Woman with mental health issues jailed after spraying fire extinguisher at police

Published

6 years ago

August 21, 2020

A WOMAN suffering from mental health issues, who set off a foam fire extinguisher, and sprayed it on a police officer has been jailed for 16 weeks.

42-year-old Mignonette Goodchild, who is of no fixed abode, but gave the court her father’s address of Hamilton Court, Pembroke Dock, had entered an unsecured property at Strumble Head and was squatting as a means of self-isolating during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to this, she had been living in her car in a field rented from a businessman at Cross Inn, Ceredigion.

Goodchild receives no benefits or help from the government despite her issues, and receives only ad hoc financial help from her father, a pensioner.

Fearing for her safety, after a previous promise of accommodation fell through due to Covid-19, she took what she describes to this newspaper as the “reluctant decision” to enter the
otherwise unoccupied holiday let property through an insecure window.

Speaking on the telephone to her father from prison she said: “I am now in jail because I thought that Covid-19 would kill me”.

After staying at the property for one night, a caretaker spotted a car in the car park, and raised the alarm that there was a squatter at the property.

The police were called, and when officers attended the property on April 3, Goodchild had covered the inside of the front door with a layer of foam from a fire extinguisher. She then started screaming to the police: “You’re not coming through, you may have the disease!”

As the police opened the door to gain access, Goodchild continued spraying foam, some of which covered the police officers.

Police then gained entry to the property, which is owned by The National Trust, and arrested Goodchild by tackling her to the floor. During the arrest, the defendant received two black eyes and a cut across her nose.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Aug 18) Goodchild was handed a custodial sentence. She has already spent some time on remand at Eastwood Park Prison, South Gloucestershire due to missing her original court date through failure to receive the summons.

Set off fire extinguisher: Goodchild the day after the arrest (Pic: Herald)

News

Former West Wales MS says Starmer resignation felt ‘increasingly inevitable’

Published

1 hour ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Samuel Kurtz says public frustration has grown after two years of Labour controversies and policy decisions

FORMER West Wales MS Samuel Kurtz has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation felt “increasingly inevitable” after months of controversy and public frustration.

The Welsh Conservative said he watched the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement with “genuine frustration”, adding that he wanted the UK to be respected regardless of which party was in government.

Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader, just 12 days before the second anniversary of Labour’s 2024 general election victory.

Mr Kurtz said: “As a British citizen, I sighed genuine frustration while watching this morning. Whatever the political colour of the Government, I want our country to be respected at home and on the international stage.

“But, in truth, this moment has felt increasingly inevitable as the weeks turned into months.”

He pointed to a series of controversies and policy decisions, including the Lord Alli gifts row, winter fuel allowance cuts, the Family Farm Tax, rising National Insurance, defence spending and domestic energy production.

Mr Kurtz said people “simply feel worse off”, adding that confidence in the economy remained low.

He said: “A Government should ultimately be judged on whether life is getting better for the people it serves.

“After two years marked by the controversies and a series of damaging policy decisions mentioned above, it’s difficult to argue this Government has passed that test.”

Mr Kurtz also questioned what would happen next, asking whether Labour would see an “Andy Burnham coronation”, whether Wes Streeting could build enough support, or whether an outsider could emerge.

He added that he would be watching the leadership contest “from the sidelines with interest”.

Labour is expected to open nominations for a new leader on July 9, with Starmer remaining in office until his successor is chosen.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

1 hour ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.