News

Equality agenda challenged

Published

12 years ago

June 27, 2014

A PEMBROKE health campaigner has been told by the Local Health Board that the effect of service changes on mums and babies was not assessed before it embarked on its plans to cut services at Withybush Hospital.

Lyn Neville was told that the Health Board had sought external advice and decided instead that it was necessary only to assess the impact “during the planning and development stages of service change and that mitigation of potential negative impacts would need to be identified as the model of care was developed.” Lyn Neville told the Herald: “Mark Drakeford claims that there is no indication that there will be a difference in impact upon protected groups, such as expectant mothers and babies. Even the Health Board notes that negative impacts will be felt for any additional transfers, increased travel times: with potential impact on the elderly, disabled, young people and families and low income households.” The document the Health Board directed Lyn to goes on to claim that Health Board will provide care in the community and “by providing tangible solutions to improving transport.” Peter Milewski, retired consultant surgeon told the Herald: “Recent meetings with ambulance personnel have revealed no robust plan in place. Even an official board Risk Management group have acknowledged the ‘need to push back on the change from August 1st … cannot be accomplished’. Obviously there is no recognizable “safety net” in place, and we find ourselves wondering will there ever be?” As the Pembrokeshire Herald revealed two weeks ago, the “tangible improvement” for expectant mums at Withybush is scheduled to be one dedicated ambulance with a two hour turnaround time. Protestors outside the Senedd earlier today were suggesting jetpacks as a viable transport alternative.

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

12 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.