News
Milford Haven couple narrowly avoid jail following nightclub fracas
A MILFORD HAVEN couple who instigated violent scenes outside a Pembrokeshire nightclub have been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.
On Friday (Dec 9) Judge Geraint Walters said the behaviour of husband and wife Callum and Rihanna Hicks of Meyler Crescent, was unacceptable, and that they needed to think carefully of their role as parents.
On a large TV screen in the courtroom, the judge viewed CCTV footage of Callum, 27, and Rihanna Hicks, 25 leaving Eddie’s nightclub in the early hours of January 23 was played in the court room.
The footage showed that they were followed by Matthew Jones, 30, who was ejected from the club and followed outside by security staff.
“It was clear that there was tension between them and others at the nightclub,” said CPS lawyer Hannah George.
Ms George then proceeded to play CCTV footage depicting Rihanna Hicks pulling an unidentified male by the hair. She was pulled away from him by a bystander and immediately joined her husband and Matthew Jones.
“Rihanna was intent on becoming involved,” she said.
Matthew Jones, of Richard John Road, Milford Haven, was then seen punching a man to his face, causing him to fall backwards.
Callum and Rihanna moved towards the victim and continued the assault. Rihanna punched him to the face while Callum was seen punching him approximately seven times after which Rihanna struck him yet again.
Despite the onlookers’ attempts to pull him off, Callum continued to punch out at the victim.
Police were called to the scene and questioned both Rihanna and Callum Hicks about their involvement – who denied any wrongdoing.
PS Borman then grappled one of the men to the floor. Matthew Jones then kicked out, hitting the officer to his face, and then Callum kicked out, and again caught the officer on the face.
Rihanna kicked a female victim to the chest after she had fallen to the floor. The police officer and the female ended up in hospital as a result of the incident.
PS Borman was taken to A&E where he was treated for cuts, swelling and bruising. The female victim was also admitted to A&E after sustaining bruising to her chest, back and face and swelling to her knee.
In her victim impact statement she said that she is now anxious that she may bump into Callum and Rihanna Hicks whenever she goes to Haverfordwest. She also struggles to sleep, she said.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assault causing actual bodily harm. Callum Hicks and Mathew Jones pleaded guilty to an additional charge of affray.
Jones was represented in court by barrister Jon Tarrant who said his client had no recollection of that evening’s events.
Callum Hicks’s counsel, Ian Ibrahim, said his client takes “Full responsibility at his behaviour – but he’s learned from this and moved. He is not that man which he used to be.”
Meanwhile Rihanna Hicks’s legal representative said that this was a “depressingly shameful incident which she regrets taking part in,” he said.
Callum Hicks and Matthew Jones were sentenced to 12 month in custody suspended for two years.
Callum must carry out 30 days of rehabilitation activity and 180 hours of unpaid work while Matthew was sentenced to ten days of rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Rihanna Hicks was sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for two years.
She must complete ten days of rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work.
Community
Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.
With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.
John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.
Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.
Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.
Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.
Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.
National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.
“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.
“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”
Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.
The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.
News
Campaigners urge Welsh Government to adopt proportional representation for Local Elections
CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Welsh Government to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for local elections, following moves by two councils to shift away from the First Past the Post (FPTP) system being blocked on technical grounds.
Yesterday (Nov 14), Ceredigion Council voted narrowly, with an 18 to 17 majority, in favor of adopting STV. This follows Gwynedd Council’s decision last month, where 65% of councillors backed the move. However, both councils have been prevented from implementing STV due to a requirement for a two-thirds majority under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.
In recent consultations, public support for STV has been overwhelming, with over 70% in Gwynedd and 67% in Ceredigion favoring the change. Only Powys Council rejected the proposal, despite 60.5% of its respondents supporting STV. Campaigners argue that the current system deprives voters of representation, citing that over 100,000 people were denied a vote in the 2022 elections due to uncontested seats.
The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) highlights the contrast with Scotland, where the introduction of STV for local elections in 2007 has significantly reduced uncontested seats. According to ERS Cymru, Scotland has had fewer uncontested seats in the last four elections combined than Gwynedd Council recorded alone in 2022.
Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:
“Decisions made in council chambers affect everyone in those areas, so every vote should count. It’s absurd that councils choosing STV are blocked by a technicality, leaving them stuck with an outdated system that denies representation to thousands. The Welsh Government must act to avoid repeating the undemocratic outcomes of the last elections.”
Campaigners are now calling on the Welsh Government to introduce STV across all councils in Wales, ensuring representation that reflects the electorate’s wishes.
Business
Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite
UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.
The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.
Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.
Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”
For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.
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