Crime
Shoplifter took over £600 of alcohol from Tesco in Pembroke Dock
A 32-YEAR-OLD Romanian man has appeared before magistrates after admitting stealing over £600 worth of alcohol from Tesco in Pembroke Dock.
Isaac Ghinea was seen entering the store soon after 6am on January 8.
“He selected high value bottles of alcohol and placed them in his basket, underneath bags of crisps and newspapers,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
But Ghinea was then seen walking to a different alcohol aisle where he removed a de-tagger from inside his trousers.
“He then removed the alarms from the alcohol and put them behind some beer bottles,” continued Ms jackson. “He was then seen leaving the store without paying for the items.”
The alcohol stolen by Ghinea totalled £624.50
Ms Jackson said that Ghinea returned to the store on February 12 and was approached by a member of staff.
“This was because he was acting suspiciously,” she said. “The member of staff told him that he was banned from entering the store, and he was then seen entering a Volkswagen.”
Police officers were summoned and they discovered the vehicle being driven by Ghinea. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed three silver foil wraps, three pairs of wire cutters and a magnetic pliers.
Ghinea, of Shayer Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft and an additional charge of going equipped for theft. He was legally represented in court by Mr David Morgan.
“My client apologises for what happened as he’s a family man with four children,” Mr Morgan informed the magistrates in his mitigation.
“He also has a good work ethic, and is employed as a pipe layer.”
Mr Morgan said that the defendant was carrying out work in Pembroke Dock at the time of the offence.
“When I asked him why he did these acts, he couldn’t give me a clear explanation,” he said. “He didn’t know what came over him.
“But he has a grievance against the police after being the victim of a car theft when he didn’t feel the police got to the root of the crime.”
Ghinea was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months. He must also carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation requirement days.
He was ordered to pay £624.50 compensation to Tesco, £85 court costs and a £154 court surcharge. A destruction order was imposed on the items which were used to go equipped for theft.
Crime
Man charged with attempted murder after child found in critical condition
A MAN has been charged after an incident in Cardigan on Wednesday, January 15.
Police were called to an address in Y Ferwig, Cardigan, shortly before 10:15pm following a report of concerns for the welfare of an infant.
A young child was immediately taken to hospital, where they remain in a critical condition.
Rhydian Jamieson, 27, from Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn, has been charged with attempted murder.
Jamieson has been remanded into custody and is set to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday (Jan 20).
Investigators have expressed gratitude for the support of the community while enquiries continue.
Crime
Air ambulance called to Parc Prison as inmate suffers ‘severe medical episode’
THE TROUBLED HMP Parc prison in Bridgend faced yet another incident today (January 18), with an air ambulance called to respond to a medical emergency involving an inmate suffering from psychosis.
According to the HMP Prisons Justice Group UK, the incident unfolded during a visitation session when the inmate, reportedly diagnosed with psychosis, experienced a severe panic attack that left him struggling to breathe. Despite prior warnings from medical professionals about his condition, it is alleged that neither G4S, the private firm managing Parc, nor Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, acted to ensure the prisoner received the treatment he urgently needed.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and distressing, with children and visitors visibly upset. Reports suggest healthcare staff on-site intervened by administering a “salt shot” to alleviate the inmate’s breathing difficulties, but the situation escalated, leading to the inmate collapsing and requiring emergency evacuation to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for further assessment.
The inmate’s history reveals a troubling pattern of neglect. After a psychiatric assessment on December 13, 2024, he was diagnosed with psychosis and deemed unfit to plead during a court hearing on December 20. The court ordered his transfer to a mental health facility for treatment and anti-psychotic medication. However, as of today, the transfer had not been carried out, leaving the individual untreated for over three months while on remand.
The HMP Prisons Justice Group claims that G4S initially attempted to attribute today’s episode to drug use, a claim that has since been refuted. “When the salt shot was administered, his breathing improved, which wouldn’t have happened if it was drug-related,” the group stated. They accused G4S of using this defense to divert attention from what they describe as systemic neglect.
Campaigners are now calling for urgent reforms to prevent further incidents at Parc Prison. The facility has been plagued by controversy, with ongoing allegations of corruption, inadequate healthcare, and rising violence. Last year alone, assaults on staff increased by 109%, and the prison recorded 17 deaths within 11 months.
The inmate involved in today’s incident is reportedly undergoing psychological assessment at the Heath Hospital, with calls for his immediate sectioning to secure the treatment he needs. Critics argue that the prison’s failure to act on prior court orders highlights the ongoing crisis at Parc.
Campaigners insist that the incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reform at the privately-run facility.
This latest incident raises questions about the prison’s capacity to manage vulnerable inmates and provides further evidence of the deteriorating conditions at Parc Prison, which continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The Wales Air Ambulance has confirmed attendance.
Both Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and G4S has been asked to comment.
Crime
Carmarthenshire man sentenced for violent altercation ‘to protect girlfriend’
A VIOLENT altercation in Carmarthenshire has led to serious charges for William Rees, 24, of St Clears, who appeared at Swansea Crown Court facing charges of affray and grievous bodily harm.
The incident occurred on Tuesday (May 7, 2024) in Nott Square, Carmarthen. Rees was accused of assaulting a woman, causing a skull fracture and a small bleed on the brain. According to his statement, the altercation began as a verbal dispute between the woman and his girlfriend. Rees explained: “I was out in Carmarthen with my girlfriend. We had a few drinks but I was aware of what I was doing. We were heading towards a taxi, but a girl started shouting. There was a verbal incident, and then she became aggressive towards my girlfriend. I had no intention to hurt the girl; I was just protecting my girlfriend.”
CCTV footage captured a brief but violent exchange, and Rees admitted his actions at the scene. He told police: “I like to apologise,” before being taken into custody.
Rees expressed shame after reviewing the footage, particularly over his actions during the incident, but maintained that he did not instigate the violence. He took full responsibility, reflecting that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect his partner.
The court heard that alcohol played a significant role in Rees’s behaviour. He acknowledged that his conduct was out of character and shared that he had since made substantial lifestyle changes. His defence barrister, Mr Wright, stated: “He has now stopped drinking. He had one drink at Christmas and has not drunk since then.”
Rees was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. While condemning the violent actions, His Honour Judge Huw Rees recognised the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility and efforts to turn his life around.
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