News

Gang jailed for targeting elderly

Published

12 years ago

July 31, 2014

Tom Sinclair

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

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

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.

News

Nearly 100 attend Big Green Service at St Davids Cathedral

Published

2 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

COMMUNITY EVENT CELEBRATES FAITH, NATURE AND ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

NEARLY 100 people gathered at St Davids Cathedral for the Big Green Service, a celebration of faith, community action and care for the natural world.

The service brought together worshippers, local churches and chapels, members of the Cathedral congregation, and visitors from across the world.

Those taking part included EcoDewi, Erw Dewi, Hope Worship Band, the Cathedral Choristers, Canon Sheridan, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Mamgu Welshcakes, the refreshments team, Cathedral staff and volunteers.

Visitors also attended from California, Philadelphia, Belgium, Malaysia and Patagonia.

Organisers said the event was a reminder to be grateful for the planet and to continue working together to protect it for future generations.

Community

Tenby 10k raises more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori

Published

3 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Tenby road race has raised more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Runners and sponsors taking part in last year’s Tenby 10k raised £20,559.07 for the Pembrokeshire charity, which provides hospice care to people in their own homes.

The race, organised by Waterfront Community Runners, took place in October 2025 and was well supported by locals and visitors, who lined the route through the town to cheer on competitors.

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, has now received the cheque, presented by a selection of those who took part in the event.

This year’s Tenby 10k will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, on a closed-road, two-lap course through the centre of Tenby.

More than 400 runners have already signed up, with entries now past 40 per cent capacity and organisers expecting the event to sell out again.

Anyone wishing to take part can enter at www.waterfrontcommunityrunners.co.uk.

All proceeds from this year’s race will again be donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Caption:

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, receives the cheque from Tenby 10k runners and organisers.

Community

Forgotten wartime archive found in Pembroke Dock attic after 80 years

Published

3 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Remarkable family collection reveals story of father and son who served through two world wars

A REMARKABLE untouched family archive documenting the lives of two Pembroke Dock servicemen who fought for Britain across both World Wars has been discovered in the attic of a terraced house in the town.

The collection, found at a property on Lewis Street, contains original military papers, wartime identity documents, Army service certificates and an old Dyfed driving licence belonging to members of the Atcherley family.

The archive was uncovered by local resident Ryan Guy, who said he was stunned by what he found hidden away in the loft of his home at 33 Lewis Street.

At the heart of the discovery are records belonging to father and son Samuel and James Atcherley, whose military careers spanned decades of British history.

World War One soldier

Among the most significant finds is an original discharge certificate belonging to Samuel Atcherley, who served with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

The document shows Samuel enlisted at Shrewsbury on July 19, 1909, before going on to serve throughout the early years of the First World War.

Military records found in the attic show he was discharged on September 6, 1916 after being declared “no longer physically fit for war service” following more than seven years with the Colours.

The papers also paint a vivid picture of the soldier himself. Samuel was described as standing 5ft 6in tall, with fair complexion, grey eyes and blonde hair.

Experts in military history say surviving original service records from the First World War are increasingly rare, particularly where complete family papers remain together.

Secret wartime work

The archive also sheds light on the military career of Samuel’s son, James Henry Atcherley, who served during the Second World War and into the post-war period.

Among the papers is an Army Certificate of Service confirming James reached the rank of Sergeant and served for almost twenty years.

One of the most intriguing discoveries is his wartime military service book carrying stark warnings about secrecy, including instructions that “Military Secrets Must Be Guarded In Peace And War”.

The wording suggests James may have worked in a sensitive military role during a period when Britain was developing radar and communications systems that proved crucial to the war effort.

A surviving wartime National Registration Identity Card lists James Atcherley as living at 33 Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock, linking the documents directly to the property where they were uncovered.

A glimpse into local history

The find offers a rare snapshot of ordinary life in Pembroke Dock across much of the twentieth century.

Also discovered among the papers was an original Great Britain driving licence issued through Dyfed County Council in 1976, again showing James Atcherley still living at the same address.

The Herald understands the collection may include further military material and family records yet to be examined.

Ryan Guy said he hopes the discovery will help preserve the memory of the Atcherley family and provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of local men who served their country during some of its darkest hours.

The Herald would be keen to hear from anyone who remembers the Atcherley family or has further information about their military service.