News
Teamwork prevails, saving pony ‘Daisy’ stuck in bog
FARMERS, the fire service, and ‘a bloke with a digger’ were involved in the dramatic rescue of a pony, which was stuck in a bog ‘with only its neck and head poking out’.
The incident took place on Wednesday at Dowrog Common – and involved a Welsh Mountain Pony which had gone missing the day before.
A huge team effort ensued, with the pony eventually being rescued from its otherwise certain demise with the help of a digger.
“No problem, I’ll be there with the little tracked digger as soon as I can”, was the reply when local Dai Murphy was asked to help
St Davids fire and rescue service said on Facebook: “It was a very different shout for station 34 this afternoon.
“We had a call to rescue a pony trapped in a muddy bog.
“It was all hands on deck and with thanks to the local farmers we managed to get Daisy out.
“She is safe and well”
Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm said on social media after the incident: “It was a truly amazing team effort to rescue this little Welsh Mountain pony from an area of quaking bog on Dowrog Common.
“The pony’s owner Judy spent yesterday and today searching across the moor and Tabitha and Dean joined in the search this afternoon.
“Typically, since she went missing, it has been too windy to use the drone to look for her.
“It was Nathan from The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales who stumbled on her, stuck up to her withers, with only her head and neck poking out.
“The amazing St Davids fire brigade and neighbouring farmer Graham were onsite in no time at all and got a strap under her. Tabitha, Dean, Lou (and ecologist Alys) all came to help with the rescue, despite knowing it could be a traumatic experience.
“Huge thanks to Dai – who also rescued our cow Alice from a bog years ago.
“It is truly humbling being able to pick up the phone and call someone at the end of a busy day.”
They added: “Amazingly, for a pony who has probably been stuck in a cold bog for 24-36 hours, she was able to stand within minutes and walked away, not even lame.
“We wish this brave little pony a speedy recovery so she can join her conservation-grazing herd to once again help make Dowrog Common a world-renowned home for wildlife!”
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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