News
Man asked school girls ‘are you lesbians?’
A PEMBROKESHIRE man who approached two young girls outside a school asking them if they “are lesbians” has been handed an immediate custodial sentence.
Paul Jenkins, currently an inmate at HMP Swansea but formerly of Haverfordwest, faced two charges of using threatening behaviour.
Kelly Rivers for the Crown Prosecution Service told the court how 38-year-old Jenkins approached two 14-year-old girls outside a school and said “im gay and i want to kill myself” and asked them “are you lesbians?”.
Ms Rivers went on to say how one of the girls was so frightened that she banged on the window to get a teachers attention, one of the girls also claimed Jenkins tried to grab her.
She added that the defendant said: “Sorry im a f***ing faggot” and appeared to be drunk.
Jenkins was described as a ‘vulnerable adult’ and was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the incident.
Ms Norman from the probation service told the court that Jenkins was sentenced to 14 days in prison on January 13 after a post sentence breach.
She added: “there is nothing probation can do to help him”.
Whilst sentencing, Judge Leyton said: “This was appalling and you caused a great deal of alarm and distress.”
Jenkins was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for each offence to run concurrently.
Upon release from prison, the defendant must also pay court costs of £85 and £154 victim surcharge.
News
Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.
Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.
The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.
The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.
On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.
Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.
Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.
Health
Ambulance delays and blocked beds putting Welsh patients at risk, watchdog warns
AMBULANCE handover delays, long waits in emergency departments and delays discharging patients from hospital are continuing to put people at risk across Wales, Audit Wales has warned.
The public spending watchdog said urgent and emergency care remains under “constant pressure” despite extra funding and new policies aimed at improving joined-up working between the NHS, ambulance service, councils and social care providers.
In an article published today, Monday (Jun 22), Audit Wales said its work since 2024 had examined how health boards and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust manage demand for urgent and emergency care, as well as how health boards and local authorities support timely discharge from hospital.
It found that pressures across the system are increasing patient safety risks and driving up costs.
Key problems identified include ambulance handover delays, lengthy waits in emergency departments, underused new services despite extra funding, and delayed hospital discharges which continue to result in hundreds of thousands of lost bed days each year.
Audit Wales also said workforce problems across health and social care remain a major factor in delayed discharges.
The watchdog warned that data is still not being shared effectively across the system, making it harder for public bodies to make informed decisions and manage pressure.
The findings will add to growing concern about the state of urgent and emergency care in Wales, with patients, families and frontline staff repeatedly warning that delays in A&E and problems arranging social care packages are leaving people waiting too long for treatment or stuck in hospital after they are medically fit to leave.
Audit Wales said staff and leaders across the system had made clear that “something must change”.
It has set out six questions for the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and local authorities to consider as they look at how urgent and emergency care can be improved.
The Auditor General for Wales is the independent statutory external auditor of the devolved Welsh public sector and is responsible for auditing most public money spent in Wales.
The Herald has asked the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment.
Entertainment
Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod
HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.
Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.
She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.
Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.
Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.
Caption:
Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
-
Crime4 days agoMilford Haven man jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order
-
Local Government6 days agoSecurity privately arranged by Mayor at Beating of the Bounds
-
News4 days agoCrash on Freeman’s Way causes school-run chaos across Haverfordwest
-
Crime6 days agoMan wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts
-
Crime6 days agoMan jailed after admitting strangulation and assaults
-
Crime6 days agoMan banned from roads after drink-driving offence
-
Crime6 days agoDrug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000
-
Crime6 days agoMan sentenced over stalking campaign and lock knife offence





