News

Johnston’s ‘outrageous’ border control post plan derailed by ‘large number of bat species’

Published

4 years ago

March 12, 2022

ON THURSDAY, March 8, the Welsh Government announced it has ended negotiations to buy a plot of land in Johnston for a Border Control Post.

After months of uncertainty and a vigorous campaign by the Community Council and residents, it turns out that the deciding factor was the presence of several species of bats at the selected site.

In a written statement issued to Members of the Senedd on Thursday morning (March 8), Wales’s Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said: “Where I previously announced that our preferred location for a BCP to serve both Pembroke Dock and Fishguard, was a site at Johnston. I can confirm that we have terminated our negotiations for that particular site.
“Surveys revealed the presence of a large number of bat species.”

All species of bats are protected under UK wildlife laws.

Mr Gething continued: “In addition, the consolidation of border controls facilities onto one plot is no longer a pre-requisite.

“This expands the range of potential options for the South-West Wales permanent border control post, which may allow provision closer to the two ports, or an alternative site in the Johnston locality or elsewhere.”

Mr Gething adds that the Welsh Government will not decide on the location, or locations, of Border Control facilities in South-West Wales until July this year.

Commenting on the Minister’s statement, the member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Sam Kurtz said: “Johnston was never a suitable location for a Border Control Post, and that was made clear by elected members and the community.
“Finally, the Welsh Government have understood that – even if they are using the revelation of specific bat species as the reason not to move forward.
“With the Welsh Government also admitting that all facilities don’t have to be on the one site, there are much better locations available to service both Pembroke Dock and Fishguard port, without causing the disruption to the community that the Johnston development would have made.”

The Herald spoke with local County Councillor Ken Rowlands, stepping down at May’s election.

Cllr Rowlands told us he was delighted that his tenure as Johnston’s County Councillor would end positively.

He said: “This news was music to my ears.

“The whole village will undoubtedly be so relieved. It was a victory for common sense.

“When we first learned about the proposal we approached the Welsh Government and advised the Minister Vaughan Gethin that such a decision was outrageous and that such a site should be built on a Brownfield Site.

He assured us at the time that our proposals would be considered before a decision was made .

“I’m glad that he has arrived at the right decision. “

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

5 seconds ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

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

Published

4 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

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.

Crime

Children most at risk in Dyfed-Powys TikTok-linked crime cases

Published

14 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOI data reveals forty-two under-18 victims as police record more than 130 incidents mentioning the platform

CHILDREN were the largest group of victims in Dyfed-Powys crimes where TikTok was mentioned, new Freedom of Information figures have revealed.

Data obtained by JF Law shows that Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 131 TikTok-linked violence, stalking and harassment offences between 2023 and 2025.

Of those, forty-two victims were under the age of eighteen.

Pembrokeshire recorded 32 incidents over the three-year period, with eight in 2023, thirteen in 2024 and eleven in 2025.

Across the force area, Carmarthenshire recorded the highest number of incidents, with 51. Powys recorded 29 and Ceredigion recorded thirteen.

Stalking and harassment made up the vast majority of the Dyfed-Powys cases, accounting for 128 of the 131 offences. Three were recorded as violence with injury.

Wales-wide concern

The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests covering Welsh police forces.

South Wales Police recorded the highest number, with 2,034 crimes where TikTok or Tik Tok was mentioned in police records between 2023 and 2025.

Those figures rose from 488 in 2023 to 656 in 2024 and 890 in 2025.

Gwent Police recorded 373 incidents, while North Wales Police recorded 199.

The North Wales data included cases of harassment, malicious communications, blackmail, sexual grooming, sexual activity involving a child under sixteen, exposure and voyeurism, and threats to kill.

Police forces stressed that the figures do not mean TikTok caused the crimes. The data relates to cases where the platform was mentioned in the modus operandi field or investigation summary.

‘Digital hunting ground’

Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority specialist at JF Law, said: “The sheer volume of these cases is a stark warning to parents and authorities alike.

“We are seeing everyday platforms being weaponised by predators to target our youngest and most vulnerable, turning what should be a harmless online space into a digital hunting ground.

“The trauma inflicted by cyber-stalking, harassment, and online-facilitated abuse has profound, real-world consequences that can completely shatter a family’s sense of security.”

She added: “It is crucial that victims know there are concrete legal avenues available to fight back.

“Nobody should have to navigate this nightmare in silence, and we are committed to helping survivors secure the protection, justice, and support they need to move forward.”

JF Law provides legal support and advice to those affected by online harassment, abuse and related crimes. Their website is www.jflaw.co.uk.