Crime

Solva couple fined nearly £5,000 for unlicensed hydroelectric power scheme

Published

1 year ago

May 28, 2023

A COUPLE from Pembrokeshire, Carl Platel and Helen Platel, have been ordered to pay a combined total of almost £5,000 after diverting water from rivers to operate their unlicensed hydroelectric turbine. The Platel couple set up the hydroelectric generation scheme on their land near Bridgend, extracting water from three sources at Gilfach Orfydd and the Cwm Dimbath.

Prosecutor Jon Tarrant revealed in court that one of the water sources was aided by a homemade weir constructed from stone and waterproof tarpaulin, which raised the water level to facilitate extraction. However, such activities require a license from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), costing £375, to protect the environment and ensure the safety and viability of the hydropower scheme.

The defendants’ scheme came to the attention of NRW in 2009, leading to a warning issued in August of that year. Despite this, in 2016, an application for a license was submitted. When NRW visited the site again and discovered the turbine operating, the defendants were reminded that it should not be in operation until the application was approved. Ultimately, the application was withdrawn in August 2016.

Subsequent visits by NRW in 2017 confirmed that the turbine was still operational. During the following three visits, spanning from 2017 to August 2018, the turbine remained unused. At that time, NRW informed the defendants that they would not face legal action for the historical breaches but warned that future operation without the relevant license would result in prosecution.

In 2020, NRW visited the farm once more. Although access to the building was not possible, the audible operation of the turbine indicated that it was still active. When NRW returned on October 22 of the same year, the turbine was found to be operational once again.

Prosecutor Jon Tarrant emphasized the importance of regulating such activities, stating, “There are reasons why this is a regulated activity. The parties were aware of the requirement for a license from the outset. It’s not accepted that this was in operation for purely altruistic reasons. There was a benefit.”

While it was agreed by both parties that no environmental damage had occurred, defense lawyer Christian Jowett argued that the defendants had not financially benefited from the hydropower scheme except for the £375 license fee. Jowett highlighted that the defendants had pleaded guilty to the offenses in September 2021 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, but the proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) had caused significant costs and stress over the past 18 months, amounting to £61,000 in legal fees.

Jowett acknowledged the history of warnings and stated that the couple’s motivation was centered around sustainable generation. He read a statement from Mr. Platel expressing deep regret and acknowledging that their passion for the scheme had blinded them to the necessity of obtaining a license.

One of the hydroelectric power schemes is now fully licensed, while the other is awaiting approval of its license, Mr. Jowett informed the court.

During the POCA proceedings, NRW initially sought a benefit figure of £102,000 but later reduced it to £90,000, including the cost of the license fee.

For the offense of abstracting water without a license between September 10, 2019, and October 22, 2020, the defendants were each fined £200. No additional penalty was imposed for causing or permitting the obstruction or impediment of inland waters without the required license during the same period.

Recorder Richard Kember ordered each defendant to pay £2,250 in costs, in addition to a £32 surcharge.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to licensing requirements and regulations surrounding sustainable energy projects, ensuring the protection of the environment and the safety of such initiatives.

Crime

Ceredigion man sentenced for selling £150,000 in illegal DVDs

Published

10 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been sentenced for selling counterfeit DVDs worth £150,000 under major brand names without authorization.

David Robert Thomas, 47, from Sarnau, ran a sophisticated online operation, producing and selling fake DVDs labeled with brands like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Sony, and Universal City Studios LLC. Thomas used seven different websites and managed multiple bank and PayPal accounts, including those of family members, to carry out his business.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Counterfeiting is often thought of as a victimless crime, but it harms the local economy by undermining legitimate businesses that pay taxes and create real jobs. This result sends a clear message that counterfeit sales will not be tolerated, and we will act against offenders.”

Thomas pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Nov 11) and was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. His sentence includes a four-month curfew and fifteen Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

Under the Crime Act 2002, forfeiture proceedings will follow to reclaim the financial benefits from Thomas’s criminal activities. Judge Richards took into account the market value of equivalent genuine goods, the sophisticated setup of Thomas’s business, and his previously clean record in reaching the sentencing decision.

The case was brought forward successfully by Ceredigion County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

Crime

Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union

Published

23 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.

Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:

69% experienced verbal abuse.
45% were threatened by customers.
17% were assaulted.

Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”

Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.

Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:

One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.

New measures on the horizon

Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:

End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.

“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”

As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.

Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.

Crime

Pembroke Dock resident faces court over dog control breaches

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

PHILIP Murray, 52, of 11 Picton Place, Pembroke Dock, will appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 14) to face several charges of breaching a community protection notice. The notice, issued under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, required Murray to control his dogs in response to repeated disturbances.

The charges relate to incidents from May to September 2024, when Murray allegedly failed to comply with the restrictions set out in a notice issued on January 3, 2024. Court documents state that despite multiple warnings, Murray continued to disregard the order, leading to ongoing issues linked to his dogs’ behaviour.

If found guilty, Murray could face a Level 4 fine for each offence. The hearing is scheduled to take place from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Courtroom 1, presided over by the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Adult Panel.

The case underscores the role of community protection notices in addressing persistent anti-social behavior.