News
Haverfordwest man jailed for over 17 years for child abuse offences
DOMINIC DEWICK, 45, from Harrier Road in Haverfordwest, was sentenced to 17 and a half years behind bars after being convicted of 20 counts of historical abuse against two girls spanning from 1993 to 2017. The verdicts, unanimous on all charges, were delivered by the jury on August 5 after a four-day trial.
The court was informed that the abuse began when one victim was just seven, continuing until she reached 15. The second girl experienced the abuse from age nine to 12. Despite the weight of the evidence, Dewick vehemently denied the charges, insisting the victims had concocted their testimonies.
Nicola Powell, who led the prosecution, remarked in court, “He is a man in sheer denial. He thought he’d escaped his actions, but the past has now caught up.”
One of the survivors, during the sentencing, shared her heart-wrenching testimony: “The abuse has left me shattered, both mentally and emotionally. I was just a vulnerable child. His actions have had a profound impact on me.” She went on to share the lasting trauma she experiences, including nightmares and constant anxiety.
James Hartson, defending Dewick, admitted to the limited defensive arguments available, pointing only to Dewick’s lack of prior convictions. However, Judge Paul Thomas retorted that this was overshadowed by Dewick’s lengthy period of criminal activity.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Thomas pointedly said, “For a span of 24 years, from your teenage years to adulthood, you targeted and harmed young girls. The psychological scars you’ve inflicted on these now grown women are immeasurable.”
Breaking down the sentence, Dewick received four years for the abuse of the first victim and 13 and a half years for the second. He is mandated to serve at least two-thirds of this sentence before being eligible for release on licence, which will be followed by an additional two-year extended licence period.
Furthermore, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order has been issued against Dewick, and he is required to register as a sex offender for life.
Business
Ascona Group announces rebranding of two west Wales sites
PEMBROKESHIRE-BASED Ascona Group has announced the rebranding of two of its Pembrokeshire service stations to the Valero brand. The rebranding process is set to commence next week, starting on 20 May 2024.
The two sites undergoing transformation are the Ascona – Pelcomb Service Station located at Pelcomb Cross and the Ascona – Ivy Service Station in St Clears. The company has assured that the rebranding work will be completed by the end of the week.
Ascona Group expressed their excitement about the upcoming changes and look forward to unveiling the newly branded sites to their loyal customers. In a statement, the company said, “We can’t wait to share these rebranded sites with our loyal customers. Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for your continued support.”
Customers with queries regarding the continued use of loyalty cards or fuel cards under the new Valero banner are encouraged to visit the respective stores, where options will be available to ensure a seamless transition.
News
Puffin protection laws at centre of post Brexit row
The puffin, a beloved seabird and symbol of Pembrokeshire, is caught in a heated dispute over the UK’s post-Brexit fishing rules. Recently, the UK banned fishing for sandeels in the North Sea, the puffin’s main food source. But the European Union (EU) wants this ban lifted, saying it breaks the terms of the UK’s post-Brexit agreement.
Both the UK and EU need to find a solution by Thursday to avoid further problems, like potential sanctions against Britain. Conservationists argue that this is about the UK’s right to decide how to protect wildlife in its own waters.
This is the first time the EU has used its dispute resolution process in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement since Brexit. Wildlife groups across Europe strongly oppose the EU’s demand. Thirty-eight conservation organisations, including the RSPB, ClientEarth, Oceana UK, Birdlife International, and the Marine Conservation Society, support the UK’s ban.
Brexit supporters also back the ban, saying it would have been hard to achieve while the UK was in the EU due to bureaucracy and opposition from other EU countries. David Davis, a former UK Brexit minister, told the BBC that the policy serves both national and global interests, and Brexit allows the UK to make these decisions independently.
Sandeels are small, silvery fish found in large numbers in the North Sea. They are crucial for endangered seabirds, as well as seals, whales, and dolphins. Danish fishing boats are most affected by the ban, catching around 250,000 tonnes of sandeels in UK waters each year for fish oil and animal feed, especially for pigs and farmed salmon.
The RSPB has been calling for a ban on sandeel fishing for over 25 years, warning that sandeels are under pressure due to climate change. Kirsten Carter, RSPB’s head of marine policy, expressed shock at the EU’s challenge, stressing the importance of sandeels for seabird survival.
On the other side, the EU argues that the UK’s ban doesn’t consider the needs of fishing communities or marine ecosystems enough. They say the ban prevents EU fishing vessels from accessing important fishing grounds and goes against the UK’s commitments under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
A spokesperson for the European fishing industry defended their practices, mentioning existing quotas and protected areas. Espen Sverdrup-Jensen, president of the EU Association of Fish Producers, disputed the UK’s ban, saying there’s no scientific evidence linking it to seabird breeding success.
If the UK and EU don’t settle the issue by Thursday, it will go to an arbitration panel. If the panel rules against the UK and the government refuses to comply, Brussels could respond with tariffs or other actions
News
Tributes pour in for West Wales DJ legend Kai Liu
FRIENDS of a popular nightclub owner and ‘legend’ of Swansea’s DJ scene have described him as a “one in a million” person who would go out of his way to help others. Father-of-four Kai Liu passed away on Wednesday, May 8, at the age of 45.
Mr Liu first immersed himself in the city’s music scene after purchasing a set of DJ decks, which were kept at his friend Greg Pickin’s flat in Morriston. Their passion for music quickly grew from playing vinyl at parties to DJing at iconic Swansea city centre venues such as Quids Inn, The Palace, Escape, and Bar Seven.
He eventually took over the running of PlanB nightclub in Northampton Lane, Swansea, which had previously been known as Crobar and Club Oxygen. Over the years, Mr Liu, who was from Skewen but brought up in Bonymaen, gave opportunities to generations of young and upcoming DJs and was instrumental in bringing some of the biggest names in dance music to the city.
Mr Pickin, 42, who now runs Heaven in Wind Street, Swansea, shared heartfelt memories of his late friend. “We were the best of mates; he was my daughter’s godfather, and we’d speak every other day. We were so close all the way through. We would talk about everything – business, family, holidays, Ibiza. Kai loved Ibiza. We had so much in common. There has been quite a lot of change in the music scene over the last 25 years, and we’d often discuss where we think it’s going. It ran a lot deeper than just being turntable brothers; we were close, but Kai was best friends to everybody.
“The amount of people who would class Kai as one of their best friends – he was just that kind of person, always happy, always smiling, always had time for people. He was very driven, very motivated, very passionate. He was a great dad, a great husband – just a great man. Kai was always there if I needed him. For the last 25 years, we’ve been through everything together, high times, amazing times, low times, just basically what a friendship is. Friends like that mean everything to you. He was a legend within the scene, and I don’t think anyone could deny him that status. If anyone deserved it, it would have been Kai.
“Kai brought through so many people over the years. A lot of DJs around owe their careers to Kai. He was an all-round good guy who was one in a million. He has probably brought through about two or three generations of DJs through the years. He was constantly evolving his team, and the team that he has left now in PlanB are a good bunch of lads, all in their twenties. His role within the Swansea scene has been pivotal. He has consistently been delivering the biggest acts to Swansea for ten to 12 years. He has pretty much held it together over time. There’s a lot Swansea needs to thank Kai for.”
Another of Mr Liu’s friends, CN Williams, described his talent as a DJ as “unparalleled”. He said, “I’ve been struggling to find the words. Kai was more than a friend; he was a true gentleman, an exemplary husband and father, and a pillar of strength for his family. His passion for music was infectious, and his talent as a DJ was unparalleled. Yet, amidst his professional success, he remained grounded, always ready to embrace life’s joys and celebrate with those around him.
“Together, we shared countless memories of late nights at Escape Nightclub, Bar 7, Eden, Moloko, and his own ventures like Warehouse, Oxygen, PlanB, and many more. I’ll forever cherish the memories we created, especially our last meeting at my stag do in Swansea, where Kai insisted on keeping the drinks flowing, as he always did.”
James ‘Slim’ Davies, former resident DJ at the old Rasputins, Wales’ first vodka bar and Swansea’s ‘smallest nightclub’, added, “I have many fond memories of Kai, starting from the days when he used to DJ in Quids Inn. His love of music, his infectious smile. Kai always had a lot of time for everyone. He will be greatly missed in the clubbing scene and beyond.”
Kai Liu’s legacy in the Swansea music scene will be remembered by the many lives he touched and the vibrant musical community he helped build.
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