News

PCC Dafydd Llywelyn stands in support of White Ribbon Day

Published

6 months ago

November 27, 2023

POLICE and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and his Office, along with Dyfed-Powys Police, are proudly supporting White Ribbon Day Campaign, which marks the start of 16 days of activism against men’s violence against women and girls.

Both PCC Dafydd Llywelyn and Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Richard Lewis are committed to tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

PCC Llywelyn in his Police and Crime Plan has committed to commission specialist support for victims of domestic and sexual violence, while one of Chief Constable Richard Lewis’s three priorities is to eradicate domestic abuse.

In recent weeks, PCC Dafydd Llywelyn has been involved in several key events and activities on Domestic Abuse leading up to White Ribbon Day, including speaking at an online event raising awareness of CPA (Child to Parent Abuse) and attending a conference in London to raise awareness and to provide insight for employers on CPA and the impact on employees.

Child to Parent Abuse is a particular nuance of domestic abuse, and there is lack of awareness of this type of abuse according to PCC Dafydd Llywelyn, which is something that he has been keen to address since being re-elected.

In 2021, along with partners within the Dyfed Powys area, PCC Llywelyn’s Office has worked with an organisation called PEGS (Parents Education Growth Support), to inform and develop a regional policy and guidance document regarding child to parent abuse.

In addition to this, a comprehensive training package has been delivered to practitioners, including police officers, commissioned services and partners through PEGS.

The training includes awareness of an assessment tool that is being used by Dyfed-Powys Police to identify the presence of child to parent abuse, and to inform the operational response.

Once it is identified, PCC Llywelyn has previously used the Home Office Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Fund to provide training sessions and a whole family programme under the banner Break for Change, that works with parent and child together. This training is now being delivered through a unique project called Ar Trac, which is funded through a Welsh Government Sustainable Social Services grant, and is the first project of its kind in Wales.

PCC Llywelyn has lately also signed the Child to Parent Abuse Covenant and is encouraging other organisations in the Dyfed-Powys to sign.

The Covenant gives employers across the UK the opportunity to recognise Child to Parent Abuse as a key type of domestic abuse, and begin offering support to their staff, volunteers, and any service-users or members of the public they come into contact with. Organisations can sign the Covenant whether they have existing policies and staff training in place, or whether they are completely new to their journey of discovering what CPA is and how it affects families.

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “White Ribbon Day serves as a poignant reminder that we must unite against all forms of violence towards women and girls.

“As we embark on these 16 days of activism, both myself and my Office are proud to stand with Dyfed-Powys Police in our commitment to tackling domestic abuse.

“Child to Parent Abuse is an often overlooked aspect of this issue, and it is our duty to raise awareness.

“Our efforts, including the unique training we are providing within this area and signing the Child to Parent Abuse Covenant, are steps toward a safer and more informed community. By working together, we can create lasting change and support those affected by these forms of abuse”.

Crime

Former Pembroke Dock mayor admits child abuse image charges

Published

9 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 10), former Pembroke Dock Mayor Terry Judkins has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Judkins, who held office as mayor from May 2021 until his resignation in November 2021, faced multiple charges related to child abuse images.

The court heard that Judkins was charged with creating two Category C indecent images of children and possessing a prohibited image of a child during a period spanning from September 27, 2018, to August 5, 2021.

The 55-year-old admitted to these offences in a hearing that has drawn considerable attention.

However, Judkins denied charges related to possessing extreme pornographic images that depicted bestiality, covering a timeline from January 2010 to August 2021.

Prosecutor Helen Randall indicated that the Crown would pursue a trial on these allegations given Judkins’ not guilty plea.

Additional charges against Judkins include making 52 Category A indecent images of children within the same dates as his earlier admissions.

The former mayor has been granted extra time to consider his plea on this charge, with a future court appearance scheduled for a later date.

This case has cast a shadow over Judkins’ brief tenure as mayor. He resigned last year citing personal reasons and extra work commitments.

News

Welsh rally star eyeing second British championship success

Published

16 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

OSAIN PRYCE is eyeing his second British Rally Championship (BRC) title after a recording a superb victory in the Severn Valley Stages.

The Welsh star and co-driver Rhodri Evans finished 20 seconds ahead of Irish driver William Creighton, with championship leader Chris Ingram claiming third place.

The result left Pryce 15 points adrift of Ingram after two rounds and boosted his chances of adding to his 2022 British title success.

Pryce was excellent in his Ford Fiesta Rally2, wowing the sizeable crowds who lined iconic stages such as Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin.

The Welshman established an early lead over Ingram before withstanding a charge by Creighton to claim his first BRC victory since Rally Yorkshire in 2022.

“It’s a big relief – I’m so happy to get the win,” Pryce said. “We had a dodgy couple of stages at the end, and to be honest, it was so slippy, but I drove at a pace where I was comfortable.

“I did lose some time, which in the end wasn’t too bad, but we certainly had some hairy moments just trying to keep it on the road. Credit to everyone who’s got me here. Top job from Rhodri too – that’s his first-ever win!

While Ingram currently leads the standings by four points from Creighton, the Irishman could be the biggest threat to Pryce’s title hopes.

He is still getting to grips with his new Ford Fiesta Rally2 car, but has recorded back-to-back second place finishes to force his way into contention.

Bettors in Creighton’s homeland have backed their compatriot to emerge victorious this season, forcing bookmakers to cut his odds to win the title.

Several of the best Irish betting sites also make him the favourite to win the upcoming Jim Clark Rally in Scotland later this month.

However, Pryce will fancy his chances of claiming another victory as he strives to follow up his impressive 2022 British title success.

The Welshman won four of the seven events that season to clinch top spot by an emphatic 19-point margin from Keith Cronin.

With two of the final four rallies of the season set to be staged in Wales, Pryce could be a good bet to upset the odds over the next few months.

He has previously won Rali Ceredigion and the Cambrian Rally, which should give him the confidence he needs to secure another British title.

Farming

King Charles III is new Royal Welsh Agricultural Society patron

Published

17 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

KING CHARLES III has continued a royal tradition by agreeing to become the new patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).

As Prince of Wales, he consistently supported the RWAS, having visited the Royal Welsh Show seven times from 1969 to 2019 and he opened the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in 2001.

“To have the monarch as our patron is very special,” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive. “We are immensely grateful to His Majesty for continuing his support to the society.

“He is a true champion of rural matters and has a deep affection for Wales. His support as patron will be a great endorsement to the work we do in promoting Welsh agriculture.”

The decision follows a review of the patronages of the late Queen, the former Prince of Wales and the former Duchess of Cornwall. The letter from Buckingham Palace to the RWAS read: ‘His Majesty would be delighted to accept’.

The Queen was patron of the RWAS for 70 years and showed great support. Her support reflected her long-lasting interest in Welsh agriculture, horticulture and rural affairs.

The Queen’s first official role with the RWAS was as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, when she was honorary president. She undertook a triumphant tour of the showground during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen.

The late Queen had followed her late father, George VI, and her grandfather, George V in accepting the patronage.

King George V first became patron as Prince of Wales in 1907 and formally as King in 1911. His Silver Challenge Cup for the best Welsh Cob then became known as the George Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, one of the most famous cups presented at the Royal Welsh Show annually.