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Second body found by Dyfed-Powys Police following river search

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OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have found a second body in a search for two women who went missing in a Welsh river recently.

Police search officers assisted by the fire service, mountain rescue and a police helicopter were scrambled to the area after a report that two women were seen in the river in the Ystradfellte Falls area of the Brecon Beacons last week.

The search began on Wednesday, and a body was found the next day, however the search continued for the second missing party.

A police spokesperson confirmed to The Pembrokeshire Herald that the search for the second woman was “no longer active”, and the force confirmed in a post on social media on Monday (Jan 9) that a second body had now, sadly, been found.

The police said in an official statement: “We can confirm that officers searching for two women who are believed to have entered the water in the Ystradfellte area on Wednesday (Jan 4) sadly recovered a second body from the river in the Glynneath area on Sunday.

Praising the work of the other emergency services, they said: “Next of kin has been informed with the families being supported by specialist officers.”

TRIBUTES FROM FAMILIES

The families have paid tribute to the loving couple whose “endless laughter will be forever remembered by all who had the honour to know them”.

Rachael and Helen Patching, aged 33 and 52 respectively, who are from the Kent area, were visiting Wales on holiday.

The alarm was raised at around 11.45am on Wednesday, 4 January 2023, with reports that there were two people in the water.

Sadly, their bodies were recovered from the river in the days that followed.

Their families have issued a joint statement paying tribute to the couple and thanking those who tried to go to their aid.

It reads: “We are devastated to have suffered such an immeasurable loss following the news of Rachael and Helen’s passing at just 33 and 52.

“They were such a devoted, selfless, and loving couple having had an immensely positive impact on all those they met.

“Their love for animals and dedication to caring for them so lovingly over the years made them a truly admirable credit to themselves and society.

“Their endless laughter will be forever remembered by all who had the honour to know them.

“There are no words that can express enough how highly they were both thought of by family members, friends, and colleagues.

“We would like to thank all those who have provided such generous support and guidance, including the unwavering commitment of the Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue volunteers, the police, National Police Air Support, Mid and West Wales Fire Service, National Resource Wales, the Welsh Ambulance Service and Powys County Council for helping so selflessly at such a difficult time.

“We would now like time to grieve and would ask to be given privacy in which to do so.”

Image credit: Spring Valley Lakes

Crime

Rosemarket man avoids jail after breaching court order and stalking victim

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A ROSEMARKET man has avoided a prison sentence after repeatedly breaching a court-imposed non-molestation order and stalking one of the protected individuals.

PHILLIP SOLOMON, 35, of West Street, Rosemarket, contacted two women between March 28 and May 17, 2025, despite an order made by Haverfordwest Family Court forbidding both direct and indirect contact.

He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he admitted two charges of breaching the non-molestation order, as well as a further charge of stalking one of the women during the same period, causing her fear, alarm and distress.

“He sent a birthday card and a present, and made numerous telephone calls, text messages and gestures,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court. “This caused her serious concern.”

A victim impact statement read in court described the profound effect Solomon’s behaviour had on the woman’s life.

“Every aspect of my life has changed as a result of the last few months,” she said. “I feel anxious about day-to-day aspects like leaving my house, fearing he may be there. I’m constantly checking mirrors and my surroundings. Days out that should be enjoyable have become difficult.”

She said she had changed both her work and social routines due to fears she was being followed.

Defending Solomon, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client had not fully appreciated that sending a birthday card would breach the terms of the order.

“He understands the impact and he’s extremely sorry to be here today,” she said. “There are clearly issues that need to be addressed and he is keen to work with probation to deal with these.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, requiring Solomon to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days and 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £170 in prosecution costs.

A two-year restraining order was imposed, banning Solomon from contacting either victim directly or indirectly, except through a solicitor or social services. He is also prohibited from entering their addresses or storing any data about them on any electronic device.

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Crime

Driver banned after swerving car led to public calls to police

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CALLS from concerned members of the public about a car being erratically driven through Neyland led to a drink-driving ban for a Llanstadwell man who was found to be more than three times over the legal limit.

Mervyn Jenkins, aged 47, was arrested at around 8:00pm on May 23 after police stopped his vehicle on Church Road, Llanstadwell.

“The officers had followed the vehicle and seen it swerving across the carriageway and shuddering, as if it had sustained significant damage,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When Jenkins exited the vehicle, he was unsteady on his feet. A breath test conducted at the police station showed he had 114 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

In a probation interview, Jenkins told officer Catrin Jones he had consumed approximately ten pints of lager at a pub in Milford Haven before making the reckless decision to drive home.

“The event is all a bit hazy to him and he doesn’t know why he chose to get behind the wheel,” said Ms Jones.

“He described his behaviour as stupid and realises the risk he posed to others. The only fortunate thing is that nobody was hurt.”

The court heard that Jenkins, who works for a local steel fabrication company, regularly drinks up to twelve pints on Friday and Saturday nights while visiting local pubs.

“He drinks to excess but now acknowledges he needs support to reduce his intake,” added Ms Jones.

Jenkins, of Hazelbank, Llanstadwell, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and chose to represent himself in court.

“I’m ashamed of myself,” he said in mitigation.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 28 months and imposed a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete ten rehabilitation activity days and engage with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service. He must also complete a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme.

He was ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

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Crime

Dog mess excuse nearly lands man in jail

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A PEMBROKESHIRE man awaiting sentence for drug offences came close to being remanded in custody after breaking his bail conditions—allegedly in an effort to clear up dog mess from a shared lawn.

John Phillips, 36, of Pen Puffin, Steynton, previously pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply and was awaiting sentencing at Crown Court on June 27. He had been placed on strict bail conditions, including a nightly curfew.

However, on June 10, Phillips breached the curfew on ten separate occasions. Despite the number of incidents, the total time he spent outside his property amounted to just over 18 minutes.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the breaches stemmed from a domestic mishap.

“His dog escaped from the house and did what dogs do on the lawn that he shares with his neighbour,” said defence solicitor Michael Kelleher. “So the defendant had to go out, get the dog, and collect what had happened, as he didn’t want his neighbour to walk in the mess.”

Mr Kelleher added that Phillips made several attempts to contact the electronic tagging company to explain the curfew breaches, but received no response.

Phillips appeared before magistrates in custody on June 17 and admitted breaching his bail conditions. After hearing the mitigation, magistrates allowed him to be released on the same conditions.

“But if you come here again, it might be a different outcome,” warned the presiding magistrate.

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