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Closing arguments at Swansea Crown Court in James Oulton case

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THE CLOSING arguments in the trial of a Haverfordwest primary school teacher accused of sexually assaulting 11 children have been heard at Swansea Crown Court today (Apr 30).

In her closing statement, the prosecuting barrister, Clare Wilks told the jury that they must consider the evidence concerning James Oulton, 34, fairly and remain unemotional.

Ms Wilks described the defendant as “an extremely popular teacher at the school who had ample opportunity to act.”

She told the court how his actions were “deliberate and subtle”, and that James Oulton had “perfected his technique so not to get caught.”

But Defending, QC Chris Clee told the jury that it would be easy to think the “weight of numbers must mean he is guilty” but asked the jury to also consider the numbers of students Oulton has taught throughout his career – 673 pupils.

Chris Clee QC said the 11 children who have made allegations against him amount to just 1.7% of the children he had taught.

He reminded the jury how the burden to prove guilt lies with the prosecution and it is not down to the defendant to prove his innocence.

Mr Clee added that Oulton was cautioned at the start of each interview, and despite the prosecution accusing the defendant of “setting up his defence” and accusing him of “getting more savvy as the interviews went on”, he had no obligation to answer any of the questions put to him in the initial interviews.

He added: “He chose to answer every question and give evidence in this court, he didn’t have to do neither.”

Oulton’s barrister told the jury that DC Evans, the investigating officer in the case, held the view that his client’s primary reason to teach was “to get closer to children, especially girls.”

He told the court how Oulton volunteered all passwords to electronic devices that the police seized.

He said that if the prosecution is right in this case, that the fact Oulton was able to carry out these events in broad daylight without being caught was a stroke of “extraordinary luck”.

Turning to the credibility of the prosecution witnesses, he told the court how ten of the eleven victims had “positive feelings towards James Oulton.”

Responding to the prosecution case that Oulton kept the cards and letters from the children as “some form of insurance or trophy” – he added, it was a “straightforward common sense it was evidence of affection the children felt for James Oulton.”

Clee branded another witness a “bully” saying there was clear collusion between them – as another witness went along with her as she was “scared of her” and said that it “snowballed from there”.

He added: “It is inconsistent, unreliable and not worthy of belief.”

Tackling the accusation made by one of the witnesses that Oulton had a cupboard in his classroom which contained alcohol and party invites for the children, he said these allegations were “entering into the realms of fantasy”.

QC Clee also accused DC Evans of cajoling the witnesses during their interviews, with a police officer asking one child: “Is there anything else? I feel like you’re holding back?”

Speaking of the six defence witnesses who gave evidence in support of Oulton, he said: “They were prepared to come to court and give evidence in support of him.

“By giving evidence that tells you the allegations are not true.”

However, the adult witnesses were not willing to be named in the media, and the defence applied for a press gagging order saying that they would be reluctant to attend court to support Oulton otherwise. The order was granted.

The case will continue Tuesday, May 4.

It is expected that there will be a verdict in the case next week.

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Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash

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THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.

Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.

The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.

Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”

The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.

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Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton

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ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.

“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.

“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”

The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.

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Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock

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THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.

The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after a car hit a person in the car park after 9am.

We have been told that the incident involved a local taxi.

The emergency services have been asked for a comment.

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