News
Welsh vaccine plant evacuated after receiving suspicious package
A PLANT where doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are produced and stored has been evacuated after receiving a suspicious package.
Police have confirmed to Herald Wales that officers were at Wrexham Industrial Estate in Ash Road, Holt.
John Roberts, who runs CMS Wrexham Ltd, next door to the plant, said he heard a “big bang” at about 11:35 HRS.
Wockhardt UK has confirmed that the plant has been evacuated after receiving a suspicious package.
A statement on its Twitter account said: “Wockhardt UK in Wrexham this morning received a suspicious package.
“Relevant authorities have responded and upon expert advice we have partially evacuated the site pending a full investigation.
“The safety of our employees and business continuity remain of paramount importance.”
A technician at the plant, Ian Hunter, said that the bomb disposal experts from the Royal Logistic Corps had arrived on scene.
Mark Drakeford said: “We are working with local police and the military to find out more about this incident. Thank you to the security personnel who are on-site to protect lives and ensure
the safety of our vaccine supply. This highlights the vital role they play in keeping us all safe. Diolch.”
On Thursday last week Wrexham council leader Mark Pritchard said teams had worked to ensure the vaccine was not lost in the floods.
The Welsh Government said there had been “no adverse effects” on the coronavirus vaccine roll-out.
Health
Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession
A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.
Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).
The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.
Harassment campaign
Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.
Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.
She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.
Police assaults
The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.
Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.
A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.
Shop theft and XL Bully
Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.
In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.
Restraining orders imposed
District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.
The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.
Jailed for 26 weeks
Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.
Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.
The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.
Crime
Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court
A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.
Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).
Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.
The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.
The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.
Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.
Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.
District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.
The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.
Crime
Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain
AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.
Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).
Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.
The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.
Complainant protected
The complainant in the case is protected by automatic anonymity under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.
Charles appeared before District Judge M Layton at a ground rules hearing.
He was represented by John Allchurch, of Goldstones Solicitors, while Nia James prosecuted for CPS Wales.
The defendant was remanded on conditional bail.
He must not contact a named person directly or indirectly.
Charles is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 6, for a further case management hearing.
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