News
Cashless payment coming soon to National Park Authority car parks
MOTORISTS visiting car parks run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will soon be able to pay for their tickets without the need to carry coins or to queue at pay and display machines.
From Monday, March 15, 2021, people who don’t wish to use the existing on-site coin machines will be able to use PayByPhone, which allows people to purchase tickets via an app, text, a phone call or online via www.paybyphone.co.uk/pcnp.
The existing coin machines will remain in all the car parks for use by those who prefer to use cash and for those who are unable to access the online system, with a free 30-minute ticket continuing to be available at all sites.
National Park Authority Director of Countryside, Community & Visitor Services, James Parkin, said: “Introducing cashless payment methods has been a challenge due to the remote location of some of our car parks, but we believe the PayByPhone solution will give motorists greater flexibility and will be particularly useful as we all look to take extra precautions in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The coin machines will remain in place for those that need them but PayByPhone provides a whole range of alternative options. It is already used in numerous locations across the UK and by organisations including the National Trust.
“Motorists will need to be aware that using PayByPhone from our car parks will depend on network coverage, which will vary depending on the location and your provider. While you may wish to pay for a ticket before travelling to the car park, this does not guarantee a space will be available.
“We understand most people are not allowed to drive to exercise at this time but our car parks are open to those that are permitted to use them under the current Welsh Government restrictions, such as people with specific health or mobility issues.”
Motorists can download the PayByPhone app from the App Store or Google Play Store to register or register online via www.paybyphone.co.uk to pay for their parking from their mobile phone/computer.
Payments can then also be made by calling 0330 060 6203 or by texting 65565.
Season tickets for Park Authority car parks can be purchased via the Park Authority website by visiting www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/car-park-season-tickets.
The National Park Authority manages 14 car parks that operate charges between 9am-7pm from March 15 to November 7 each year. The income is used to help maintain the car parks and paths in the National Park.
The charging car parks are located at Amroth, Saundersfoot Regency, Penally, Manorbier, Freshwater East, West Angle Bay, Little Haven, Nolton Haven, Newgale (Pebbles), Solva, Oriel y Parc (St Davids), Newport Sands and Poppit Sands.
For more information on car parks and charges visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/parking
News
Welsh teenager jailed for creating 3D-printed gun at home
A TEENAGER who assembled parts for a viable semi-automatic firearm using a 3D printer has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.
Owain Roberts, 19, purchased nuts, bolts, steel barrels, and metal rods online, constructing components of an FGC-9 gun with the aid of a 3D printer.
Detectives said that this case marks the first of its kind in Gwent, where Roberts admitted to manufacturing a firearm component. He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday (Nov 14).
In April, firearms officers executed warrants at two Newport addresses connected to Roberts. Seized items included a 3D printer, two laptops, six plastic reels, and parts for an FGC-9 firearm.
PC Tom Meazey, from Gwent Police’s East Serious Organised Crime team, stated: “Illegally-held firearms can lead to tragic consequences and devastate innocent people’s lives. To own a firearm, including a printable one, is illegal in the UK without a valid firearms certificate. Roberts’s reckless actions in buying items capable of manufacturing a firearm placed people at direct risk.”
This rare and complex investigation involved support from the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Roberts received a prison sentence of four years and nine months.
News
Milford Haven man caught with indecent images of children spared jail
A MILFORD HAVEN man, Gareth MacDonald, 23, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to downloading over 1,000 indecent images of children.
MacDonald, of Meyler Crescent, was arrested in March 2023 following a police search of his home. Acting on intelligence, officers seized multiple electronic devices, and MacDonald admitted to downloading the illegal images.
Swansea Crown Court heard that MacDonald accessed material spanning all severity categories, including images depicting the rape of pre-teen children.
He reportedly told police he had “become bored with legal pornography” roughly a year prior to his arrest.
Judge Geraint Walters sentenced MacDonald to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. As part of the sentence, MacDonald must:
- Complete 20 rehabilitation activity days
- Participate in the Horizon programme
- Register as a sex offender for 10 years
- Comply with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order
Judge Walters remarked that MacDonald had been accessing illegal content “for some considerable period of time” despite knowing it was wrong.
However, MacDonald, who has health problems, dodged being sent to jail and was able to leave the court a free man.
Crime
Ceredigion man sentenced for selling £150,000 in illegal DVDs
A CEREDIGION man has been sentenced for selling counterfeit DVDs worth £150,000 under major brand names without authorization.
David Robert Thomas, 47, from Sarnau, ran a sophisticated online operation, producing and selling fake DVDs labeled with brands like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Sony, and Universal City Studios LLC. Thomas used seven different websites and managed multiple bank and PayPal accounts, including those of family members, to carry out his business.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Counterfeiting is often thought of as a victimless crime, but it harms the local economy by undermining legitimate businesses that pay taxes and create real jobs. This result sends a clear message that counterfeit sales will not be tolerated, and we will act against offenders.”
Thomas pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Nov 11) and was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. His sentence includes a four-month curfew and fifteen Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
Under the Crime Act 2002, forfeiture proceedings will follow to reclaim the financial benefits from Thomas’s criminal activities. Judge Richards took into account the market value of equivalent genuine goods, the sophisticated setup of Thomas’s business, and his previously clean record in reaching the sentencing decision.
The case was brought forward successfully by Ceredigion County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
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