News

Hundleton man accused of arson gives evidence in Crown Court

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2023

Lloyd Jenkins, the 33-year-old Hundleton man accused of setting fire to his girlfriend’s flat, has told a Crown Court judge that his sole intention that night was to walk away from the property and also from his girlfriend, Chloe Meakin, who he described as ‘frantic, abusive and angry.’

“She was screaming about me going with this girl, that I’d betrayed ,and all sorts of other stuff,” he told the jury at Swansea Crown Court earlier today (Friday).

“So I asked her, three or four times, for her phone so I could phone my brother and go and stay with him. But she told me ‘No. **** off’. So I immediately left.”

Jenkins, dressed in a black shirt and black trousers, told the jury that October 15, 2022 had started well as their three children – two of whom were Chloe’s from a previous relationship and one of whom is Jenkins’s – were spending that night with their grandmother.

“It was just the two of us because Chloe wanted to take me out to say thank you for stepping in to stay at home and look after the kids while she tried to find work,” continued Lloyd Jenkins. “It was quite positive.”

Earlier that day the couple had gone out for a meal together before returning to Chloe’s flat in Richard John Road, Milford Haven, where they started drinking rum and cokes. Later that evening they went to the Kitchener pub in MIlford Haven where Jenkins said he continued drinking Jack Daniels and coke. This was where tensions began to escalate between the two parties.

“She began accusing me of seeing another female who had walked into the pub and this was where we first had words. But when we moved on to Circles (nightclub), things got heated. I left pretty much instantly as I couldn’t be dealing with stuff like that because what she was accusing me of, I wasn’t doing.

“ I left because Chloe was very drunk and there was no point arguing with her in that state. So I chose to take myself away from the situation.”

Jenkins said that he then walked back to Chloe’s flat, which took him between five and ten minutes, to find that Chloe Meakin was already there.

“She was still in a frantic state so I asked her for her phone so I could ring my brother.”

Jenkins explained to the jury his reasons for not having a phone of his own.

“It’s easier for me not to have one, because when I did, Chloe would go through it and give me a hard time about looking for models on Instagram or having arguments with me about social media. So I didn’t have a mobile phone for an easier life. And if anyone wanted to contact me, it was through Chloe.”

Jenkins told the jury that it was at this point that he decided to leave the flat and go to a friend’s house nearby.

However the Crown claim that Ms Meakin’s refusal to allow him to use her phone resulted in him resorting to violence in the couple’s bedroom.

The Crown alleges that he removed plants from their pots, smashed the TV, damaged its stand and removed a large picture canvas from the wall before throwing it at Ms Meakin’s face. The jury was shown a photograph of the facial injuries sustained by the complainant.

The Crown further alleges that after Ms Meakin left the property to go to a neighbour’s flat, Jenkins set fire to the kitchen using synthetic material which he placed inside both the top and bottom ovens and on two separate areas of the vinyl flooring. As a result of the fire, there was extensive smoke damage to the living room, bathroom, bedroom, hallway and staircase.

“You were so frustrated that your weekend had been ruined and that you were again being accused of being back in touch with this female that you just lost your temper” said Ashanti-Jane Walton, KC, for The Crown.

“No,” responded Jenkins. “I know I wasn’t responsible for starting the fire in the flat. It must have been Chloe.”

Jenkins has been charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, criminal damage to property and assault by beating. He denies all three charges.

Judge Catherine Richards KC is expected to conclude her legal instructions to the jury later this afternoon before asking them to retire to consider their verdict

News

Bid to build 12 houses near Pembrokeshire school

Published

2 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a housing scheme of 12 homes near a Pembrokeshire village school, which includes an affordable housing contribution of £30,000 and a new school footpath, have been submitted.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest-based Carew Castle Estates, through agent Harries Planning Design Management seeks permission for a housing development of 12 three-bed homes on land south of Sageston County Primary School, Sageston.

The application site comprises of the old school paddock in the centre of Sageston.

A supporting statement says: “This application seeks full approval for 12 detached residential units, with an adoptable access road off the highway. The proposed dwelling mix will comprise four house types, all with three bedrooms, with house type A providing slightly smaller units and house type D providing a one-and-a half-storey dwelling.”

It says an expected five per cent contribution to affordable housing would be met through a commuted sum of £30,519, secured by a Section 106 legal agreement.

It adds: “The proposal also includes a school footpath, with the land gifted to the school. The footpath will allow access to the school and will be controlled by electronic gates. This footpath has been designed in communication with the school governors to ensure that is required.

“We believe this footpath will provide positive community benefits and will ensure that the existing footpaths in the area link directly to the school. The footpath will be bound with anti-climb fencing and significant evergreen hedging to provide ample screening between the dwellings and the path. The footpath will be constructed by the school.”

It concludes: “This proposal is considered to offer an acceptable form of residential development in line with the local development policies. The proposal is respectful of its context and offers a range of tenure options for the market.”

The scheme will be considered by county planners at a later date.

News

Emergency services respond to person in water at Milford Haven

Published

5 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY services were called to Milford Haven in the early hours of Friday morning (May 24) after reports of a person in difficulty in the water near Smokehouse Quay.

The incident was reported at around 12:50am, with the individual said to be floating on their back approximately 50 metres from the quay wall. Police officers were first on the scene and began efforts to reach the person.

Angle RNLI was tasked and the crew were preparing to launch when a stand-down message was received just eight minutes later, confirming that the individual had been successfully recovered and was in the care of police officers.

Dale Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident. No further assistance was required and the RNLI crew returned to station shortly after 1:15am.

Community

Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

Published

17 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.

Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.

From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.