News

Woman fears further violence as assaulter sentenced for ‘brutal attacks’

Published

3 years ago

May 21, 2023

IN A HARROWING court hearing this week, a woman expressed her terror of experiencing further violence from a man who was recently convicted of assaulting her on two occasions.

Reading out a victim impact statement at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, the woman disclosed, “The abuse I’ve suffered has really affected me.

“I’m scared to go out of the house because of him, and I’m petrified of further violence from him.

“But I know that it will come.”

Jeremiah Jones, a resident of Montgomery Close, Monkton, Pembroke, has been sentenced to a community order by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of assault and harassment charges.

Jones, 42, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating.

On August 18, 2022, he assaulted a woman known to him, causing physical harm.

Just two days later, on August 20, he committed the same offence against her.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan highlighted the severity of the incidents, stating that he forcefully slapped the victim’s face, followed by punching and pushing her thigh, resulting in visible bruising.

In addition to the assault charges, Jones was also charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behavior in an intimate relationship.

Between March 1, 2022, and August 20, 2022, he continuously monitored the victim’s movements, drove past her workplace, and exhibited behavior that had a serious detrimental effect on her emotional well-being.

During the court proceedings, Tom Lloyd, Jones’ legal representative, shed light on the circumstances surrounding the offences. Jones had consumed an excessive amount of alcohol, approximately eight pints of lager, after a day of work, leading to a heated argument about the victim’s friendship with another woman.

Lloyd emphasised that Jones had lost everything as a result of his actions.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court handed down a 12-month community order, involving 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation requirement days for Jones.

Additionally, he was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the victim, along with £150 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Magistrates also imposed a two-year restraining order, prohibiting any form of direct or indirect contact with the victim, except through authorised third parties such as solicitors or social services representatives when seeking access to their children.

In a separate charge of harassment without violence, Jones pleaded guilty to pursuing a course of conduct amounting to the harassment of the same woman known to him.

The incidents involved monitoring her movements, following her, driving past her workplace, and pestering her via social media. The court took into account

Jones’ guilty plea and incorporated the charges into the community order, which courts say aim to rehabilitate the offender while ensuring the safety and protection of the victim.

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

5 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

7 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.