Johnston community to gather for Jozef Polak’s funeral after sudden death in Cyprus

THE PEMBROKESHIRE community will come together on Valentine’s Day to say a final goodbye to much-loved scaffolding firm boss Jozef Mcleod Polak, who died suddenly while abroad.

Jozef, aged 41, of Johnston, passed away unexpectedly in Cyprus on January 14, leaving family, friends and colleagues devastated by the loss.

Well known through his business, JP Scaffolding, and his long-standing support for local causes and sport, he was widely described as a warm-hearted, larger-than-life character who would help anyone without hesitation.

Tributes poured in within hours of the news breaking.

“My best mate… taken too soon,” wrote Adam Rogers. Timothy Jones added: “Sad news. RIP mate,” while Gareth Williams said: “RIP Joe thoughts with all the family.”

Others spoke of his humour and generosity. Ginge Davies said: “Rip JP truly a great guy… a complete nutter with a heart of gold… he was such a good laugh.”

Friends who had known him since childhood remembered a polite and kind young man. Simon Narbett said: “Spent many weekends around our house as a kid in Johnston… always very polite and well mannered boy, nice family too. RIP Jozef.”

The sense of shock was clear across social media, with many saying the news was hard to believe.

Jozef was also a long-standing supporter of The Pembrokeshire Herald, advertising regularly and remaining a valued customer for more than a decade. The Herald team worked with him on a number of stories over the years, including coverage linked to the collapse of Mustang Marine which affected several local contractors.

At Johnston Football Club, where he was a familiar and trusted figure, tributes described him as a “club legend”.

The club said his connection stretched back years through family sponsorship before he stepped up his own involvement around 2012 — a period that saw Johnston enjoy one of the most successful spells in its history, including lifting the West Wales Cup.

His backing was practical as well as financial. Over the years he helped provide more than 20 senior kits, along with junior and minis kits, balls, training gear and tracksuits. He also stepped in to help with maintenance work around the ground.

“We never had to ask twice,” the club said, adding that in recent years it became routine to call him whenever something needed sorting. “He’d simply ask, ‘How much do you want?’”

Family and friends will now gather to pay their respects at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, on Saturday, February 14 at 1:00pm.

Family flowers only are requested. Donations in Jozef’s memory may be made to NSPCC, supporting the charity’s work protecting children.

For many in Johnston, his passing leaves a gap that will be hard to fill — a familiar face, a generous supporter, and, as one friend put it simply, “one of the good ones.”

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.