News

Coastguard helicopter to get injured diver to specialist facility

Published

5 years ago

July 12, 2021

A COASTGUARD helicopter landed at the helipad at Milford Marina on Sunday afternoon (July 11, at 1700 HRS) as part of a multi agency operation to help diver who was suffering from the bends (Decompression sickness).

Police, an RNLI lifeboat crew, a local coastguard team and a port patrol boat, the Dynevor, were also involved with the operation to get the casualty to a specialist facility in England as quickly as possible. The rescuers were aided by port officials, who helped keep the landing zone safe for the helicopter.

Dale coastguard team said on social media: “[We were called to] Milford Haven to secure a Helicopter Landing Site at the Pier Head, Milford Haven Marina, a diver required an immediate airlift to the decompression chamber at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. Rescue 924, Sikorsky S-92A, from Newquay was on hand [to airlift the casualty].”

Often called “the bends,” decompression sickness happens when a scuba diver ascends too quickly. Divers breathe compressed air that contains nitrogen. At higher pressure under water, the nitrogen gas goes into the body’s tissues. This doesn’t cause a problem when a diver is down in the water. And if a diver rises to the surface (decompresses) at the right rate, the nitrogen can slowly and safely leave the body through the lungs. But if a diver rises too quickly, the nitrogen forms bubbles in the body. This can cause tissue and nerve damage. In extreme cases, it can cause paralysis or death if the bubbles are in the brain.

Angle RNLI said on Facebook: “There was an unwell diver on a dive boat that was just passing the lifeboat station meaning the lifeboat was on scene at 15:39.

“Two casualty care trained crew members went aboard the dive boat to make an assessment of the casualty and assist those already helping.

“A nurse was one of the party on board the dive boat and was already administering oxygen to the casualty.

“Angle Lifeboat proceeded to Milford, along with the dive boat, where the casualty was taken to a coastguard helicopter and airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

“The lifeboat left Milford at 17:21 and rehoused in Angle at 17:40.”

Emergency vehicles at Milford Haven Marina on Sunday (Pic Herald)

Angle lifeboat was involved in the rescue of an injured diver (Pic Herald)

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

2 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

2 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.