Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Primary school teacher described as ‘touchy-feely’ on day two of trial

Published

on

A HAVERFORDWEST primary school teacher, accused of sexually assaulting his pupils was “very touchy-feely”, Swansea Crown Court heard on the second day of his trial.

James Oulton, 34, of Haverfordwest would put his hands around students’ waists and touch their bottoms, an ex-female pupil said in a video interview played to Swansea Crown Court.

The defendant denies 30 charges of sexual assault at a primary school in Haverfordwest. The alleged offences took place between 2012 and 2018.

On the opening day of the trial, court heard that Oulton said the case was a “witch-hunt” and that he always behaved appropriately with children.

On Tuesday, the jury watched the video interview with one of Oulton’s former pupils, who said he was a “friendly person, very chatty and sociable and quite outgoing and wanted to know everything that was going on.”

She added: “Mr Oulton often wanted to know a lot of details on what we had done over the weekend, where we had been, and also who they had been with.”

“At the time I just thought he was trying to be really friendly but now when I look back at it now, it does seem odd.”

The witness also described the defendant as a “very touchy-feely teacher”.

She added: “If he was marking your work or if you approached him to ask him a question, he would put his hands around your waist or around your bum”.

“If he was standing by his desk, he would, like, motion to his knee, so he wouldn’t ask you directly to sit on his lap but he would tap his knee.”

Swansea Crown Court heard that the witness eventually came forward and told her parents parents after she heard them speaking about Mr Oulton being suspended from his job.

“Did you feel under pressure to say something had happened to you?” asked Mr Clee.

The witness answered “No”

Oulton, of Richmond Crescent, Haverfordwest, previously told the court he had behaved appropriately.

He also believed letters were sent by Pembrokeshire County Council to parents which encouraged “deliberately false evidence” and collusion between pupils.

The trial continues.

News

Pembrokeshire tree surgeon ‘hits a nerve’ after derogatory remarks about his mother

Published

on

A NARBERTH pub dispute left a local tree surgeon with a suspended sentence after he reacted to offensive comments made about his mother.

The incident unfolded on October 18 at The Dragon Inn, Narberth, where Ashley Williams, 34, allegedly retaliated after fellow pub-goer Paul Deary made provocative remarks about his mother. Both men had been drinking when, around 10:00pm, Deary reportedly launched into derogatory comments about engaging with Williams’ mother, according to Williams’ solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

“Out of nowhere, the complainant directed significant and completely inappropriate comments at the defendant,” said Mr. Lloyd.

In response, Williams, of Stoneyford Farm, Narberth, confronted Deary, pushing him backward and causing him to hit his head against a wall. The impact left Deary with a serious head wound requiring 45 stitches, which will leave a permanent scar, as confirmed by Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

In a victim impact statement, Deary expressed feeling “unsafe in my hometown” following the altercation and shared that he has since resorted to “sofa surfing” to avoid returning home.

The court also heard that Deary’s mobile phone and necklace were damaged in the confrontation.

Williams, who pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, was represented by Mr. Lloyd, who highlighted the provocatory nature of Deary’s comments. “It wasn’t his intention to inflict such injury,” said Mr. Lloyd. “However, it’s crucial to consider the degree of provocation.”

Probation officer Julie Norman informed the court that Williams had consumed around eight pints after finishing work that evening. “Those comments hit a nerve. Had he not been drinking, he’d likely have walked away,” she said.

Williams was handed a 26-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Deary, including £200 for the damage to his mobile phone and necklace. He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 in costs. Additionally, he is required to complete ten rehabilitation activity days and will be fitted with an alcohol monitoring tag for 120 days.

Continue Reading

Business

Stena announces redundancy plan amid uncertainty for Pembrokeshire

Published

on

FREIGHT carrier and ferry operator Stena Line, which runs services between Fishguard and Rosslare, has announced plans to cut up to 80 staff members following an internal review.

Uncertainty looms over whether any of these redundancies will impact staff operating our local ferry services.

Stena CEO Paul Grant shared the news in an email to employees on Monday, citing a need to “future proof the company.” He explained that an internal assessment revealed the company’s current organisational structure as “too big and expensive” compared to its revenue.

The decision comes amid rising costs and increased competition in the freight and travel sectors.

According to Mr. Grant, “Cost pressure due to higher inflation has led to our customers having less money to spend, and with the introduction of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing our prices, we see a decline in volumes for both travel and freight.” Additionally, disappointing sales during the summer season and unmet market growth expectations for 2024 contributed to the restructuring.

The program, designed to strengthen Stena’s long-term business viability, includes a reduction of costs, prioritization of investments, and staff cuts that will primarily impact support functions and consultants. The workforce will be reduced by 80 positions by early 2025, along with 30 consultants also set to leave the company. Discussions with unions and work councils are expected to last several months, with all affected staff to be informed of their status by January 31, 2025.

In response to this announcement, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has demanded a meeting with Stena Line to clarify the impact of these cuts, particularly on their members.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed disappointment over the handling of the announcement, stating: “Our members are shocked by this news and outraged that Stena has chosen to sidestep established industrial relations processes. Stena must meet with us urgently to clarify who is at risk and address the potential impacts on our members.”

The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at securing Stena Line’s future amid sustainability challenges. CEO Niclas Mårtensson acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “Stena Line has been a successful company over the past few years; however, we need to ensure a lower cost base to be able to future proof the company. With 40 vessels in Europe and the Mediterranean, we have significant sustainability challenges ahead of us, and this program will enable us to make necessary investments for the future.”

The TSSA’s letter to Stena reiterates the union’s commitment to supporting affected employees and calls for an immediate discussion to clarify the situation, especially for staff at Fishguard who may be impacted.

Continue Reading

News

UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner

Published

on

FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.

An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.

The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.

In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”

Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”

Continue Reading

Crime12 hours ago

Bin lorry driver banned after “squishing” man in road rage incident

RHYS GRIFFITHS, a former bin lorry driver, has been banned from driving after injuring a man by colliding with his...

News2 days ago

Motorcyclist dies after collision on A40 near Canaston Bridge

DYFED-POWYS Police is investigating a fatal motorcycle collision that occurred around 11:15pm on Friday (Nov 1) on the A40, just...

Community2 days ago

Pembroke man born in prison after mum’s wrongful conviction battles aggressive cancer

BETHAN CARTER-HEWINS has spoken to The Pembrokeshire Herald about the her husband’s Josh’s desperate fight to conquer a very rare...

News3 days ago

Missing photographer Chris Ellery safe in Ireland after two-day ordeal

A KEEN photographer from Bristol, Chris Ellery, has made a miraculous landing in Ireland after his small boat broke down...

Crime4 days ago

Pembrokeshire man admits ‘overstepping’ in stalking case

A HAVERFORDWEST man acknowledged he ‘overstepped’ following charges of home burglary and stalking. Spencer Lepetit, aged 35 and residing in...

News4 days ago

Police confirm man found dead in Clarbeston Road property

A MAN has been found dead at a property in Clarbeston Road on Friday (Nov 1). Dyfed-Powys Police were called...

News5 days ago

Cliff fire ignited by Fireworks near Lindsway Bay

AT 10:11pm on Thursday (Oct 31), the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crew from Milford Haven Fire...

Crime5 days ago

Fishguard man jailed for sexual assault on stranger in her own home

A FISHGUARD man who subjected a woman to a “brutal” assault in her own home, dragging her back by her...

Business6 days ago

Pembrokeshire’s Barti Rum wins Gold at Great British Food Awards 2024

Renowned food expert and TV personality Merlin Griffiths has awarded Barti Spiced Rum a gold Badge at this year’s Great...

Sport6 days ago

Pembrokeshire racer crowned world champion with Tom Brady’s electric raceboat team

A Welsh racer has clinched the title of world champion with Team Brady, a team co-owned by American football legend...

Popular This Week