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Gang jailed for targeting elderly

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Alf Probert

Alf Probert

THREE burglars who travelled 100 miles to target elderly residents in Kilgetty and Whitland have been jailed today for a total of 11 and a half years.

Tony Smith, aged 20, of Chestnut Close, Rassau, Ebbw Vale, Alf Probert, 23, of Briar Close, Rassau, and John Hearne, 19, of The White House, Buckley, Flintshire, admitted three burglaries.

Huw Rees, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court how Probert, whose father lived at Kingsmoor Common, Kilgetty, provided the gang with details of elderly and vulnerable people and then drove Smith and Hearne to the addresses.

They struck first at The Trees, Ryelands Way, Kilgetty, the home of 76 year old Kenneth Ormerod. He arrived home to find the property had been ransacked. The intruders had got away with £1,500 in cash, five watches and his mother’s engagement ring—and had even opened his will.

Very shortly afterwards the trio targeted 18 Velfrey Road, Whitland, where 69 year old

Tony Smith

Tony Smith

Richard Pearce was watching television.

Mr Pearce, who is blind in one eye, was held down while one of the other defendants made an “untidy” search of the upstairs before leaving with £175 in cash.

However, said Mr Rees, a neighbour who “did not like the look” of the men noted the registration number of the Peugeot driven by Probert as he arrived to collect them.

Within minutes they were back in Kilgetty and in the garden of 48 Millfield Close. The occupier, Jean McKnight, aged 82, confronted them and they made up a story of trying to find their dog.

As she returned indoors the two men followed and locked it behind her. One grabbed her by her wrist and pushed her into the sitting room “with some force.”

 

They demanded money and ripped out two telephones.

The ordeal lasted 35 minutes as one of the burglars stood guard over Mrs McKnight, and a

John Hearne

John Hearne

friend, Kathleen Litherland, who had been visiting, while the other searched the house. They

escaped with £200 in cash and some minor items.

Mr Rees said it was significant that both Probert junior and senior had at times carried out gardening jobs at the house.

By then police were armed with the registration number of the Peugeot and Smith was arrested as he approached the car. Probert was also arrested soon afterwards.

Barristers representing the men said they were deeply ashamed at what they had done.

Judge Paul Thomas said the burglaries were “exceptionally serious.”

The men, he said, had been on a “burglary expedition” and had targeted people who were vulnerable because of their ages or ill health.

“You turned their lives upsidedown and not just their homes. You roughly manhandled two of them and they had no way of telling just how far you would go,” he added.

He said Probert, who had a previous conviction for swindling an elderly person, had “set up” the operation.

Probert and Hearne were jailed for four years and Smith for three and a half.

They were each ordered to pay a £120 surcharge.

 

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    January 5, 2026 at 7:32 pm

    Great post! I’m looking forward to reading more of your work.

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Local Government

Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard

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A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.

 

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Community

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day

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MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

 

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Local Government

Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall

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A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

Cleddau Reaches project

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.

 

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