Crime

How the Post Office Horizon scandal profoundly impacted lives across Wales

Published

10 months ago

January 14, 2024

IT’S a story etched by systemic shortcomings and individual resilience. And thanks to the recent ITV drama “Mr Bates vs the Post Office” its one which we all now know. The Post Office Horizon scandal has profoundly impacted lives across Wales and beyond, entangling figures like Tim Brentnall from Pembrokeshire and Lorraine Williams from Llanddaniel, Anglesey. Their experiences, are similar despite taking place on opposite ends of Wales. They are unified by a shared ordeal of injustice and a relentless pursuit for redemption – Tom Sinclair reports.

Tim Brentnall, a young entrepreneur from Roch, Pembrokeshire, saw his aspirations crumble when an audit in 2009 revealed a £22,000 shortfall at his post office branch. This led to a chain of events that upended his life. Despite no evidence of wrongdoing, the pressure to resolve the discrepancy saw Tim’s family take out a loan to cover the supposed shortfall, only for him to be prosecuted and advised to plead guilty. This resulted in an 18-month suspended sentence and 200 hours of community service. The guilt plea, made under distressing circumstances, cast a long shadow over Tim’s life, leading to social ostracization and personal turmoil.

In a parallel ordeal, Lorraine Williams from Llanddaniel, Anglesey, faced a similar plight. A cornerstone of her community, Lorraine’s world was turned upside down when she was wrongly accused of stealing over £14,600. Coerced into pleading guilty to false accounting to avoid more severe charges, she too received an 18-month suspended sentence and 200 hours of community service. Her conviction shattered her standing in the community she had served so selflessly.

Central to both Tim’s and Lorraine’s stories is the figure of Stephen Bradshaw, the Post Office investigator whose methods in pursuing these cases have been heavily scrutinized. Bradshaw, known for his pugnacious determination, played a pivotal role in the investigation, often refusing to consider the possibility of innocence or the potential flaws in the Horizon system. His appearance during the Post Office scandal inquiry and his portrayal in the TV drama have highlighted his aggressive approach and unwavering stance in these investigations.

In addition to his inability to comprehend the complexities of the Horizon system, he was evasive about his bonus arrangements. This evasiveness further underlines the corrupt practices that have marred the integrity of the Post Office’s management.

Bradshaw’s actions, particularly his single-minded pursuit of convictions and repayment of alleged debts, have drawn comparisons to those of a ‘mafia gangster’, a term used by some to describe his behavior. Despite these accusations, Bradshaw maintained that his investigations were conducted professionally and that he was simply following orders to defend the Horizon system. His lack of technical expertise, as he admitted to not being “technically minded,” raised questions about his ability to fairly assess the situations he was investigating.

***Stephen Bradshaw is facing strong criticism for not noticing problems with Horizon***

The experiences of Tim and Lorraine, along with those of hundreds of other sub-postmasters, culminated in the quashing of their convictions in April 2021, marking a significant step in rectifying this miscarriage of justice. Their stories, part of a wider narrative involving 736 wrongfully prosecuted individuals, underscore the most extensive legal misstep in UK history.

As the independent inquiry into the scandal continues, the focus on Tim’s and Lorraine’s experiences, and the role of figures like Stephen Bradshaw, brings to light the intricate interplay of personal suffering, technological failures, and institutional accountability. This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for transparency and responsibility in corporate and government systems, and the dire consequences when these are neglected.

***Prosecutor Gary Thomas said that he got a bonus for every postmaster he convicted***

In the aftermath of these events, the resilience of Tim Brentnall, Lorraine Williams, and others like them stands as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and seek justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Their stories, extending beyond Pembrokeshire and Anglesey, highlight the urgent need for vigilance and reform in institutions that are entrusted with public service. As they reclaim their dignity and continue to advocate for accountability, their experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of systemic failings and the importance of upholding justice for all.

Crime

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

Published

14 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

1 day 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.