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Crime

Tenby charity shop manager stole funds and fled to Turkey

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Lorraine Kucuk, the former manager of a Cancer Research UK shop in Tenby, was handed a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to stealing over £5,000 intended for charity.

Swansea Crown Court heard this week that Kucuk misappropriated the funds to cover personal debts and finance social outings. Her actions came to light when discrepancies were detected in the shop’s financial records in early May 2017, revealing no bank deposits had been made for 22 consecutive days.

The prosecutor, Dean Pulling, explained that during this period, the shop had accrued £5,238.41 in takings, which Kucuk failed to deposit. When initially questioned, she claimed the deposits were made late. However, the subsequent day, she reported being sick and abruptly ceased coming to work.

Further investigation revealed a fabricated story about a flatmate who allegedly ran off with the money. Despite her pleas for time to repay the stolen funds and requests not to involve the police, she was arrested on May 15, 2017.

During her police interview, Kucuk admitted to taking the money, describing her actions as “borrowing” to manage her financial obligations and afford occasional leisure activities.

Among the debts were several parking fines. Initially indicating a guilty plea, she later fled to Turkey, avoiding her scheduled plea and sentencing hearing. Her absence extended over five years, attributed partly to an accident and expired passport, complicating her return.

Lorreine Kucuk: As we previously reported, her arrest warrant was issued on November 9, 2018

Stuart John, defending, described Kucuk’s extended stay in Turkey as “somewhat of a purgatory.” He noted that she returned to the UK this year with assistance from friends and the British Embassy, expressing her genuine remorse and readiness to rectify her wrongs.

During the sentencing, Judge Huw Rees denounced the theft as particularly heinous given its impact on a charity. He stated, “There cannot be an example of more mean offending against a charity.” Despite her eventual return and admission of guilt, Judge Paul Thomas KC had previously sentenced her to 10 weeks in jail for breaching bail conditions, highlighting her deliberate escape to avoid facing the consequences of her actions.

In addition to her suspended sentence, Kucuk is required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and participate in 25 days of rehabilitation activities. Her case stands as a severe breach of trust and a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions, particularly when charitable organisations are the victims.

Crime

Albanian man jailed after cannabis farm found in Pembroke

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AN ALBANIAN man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after police discovered a sophisticated cannabis farm in the former Lloyds Pharmacy on Main Street, Pembroke.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers raided the vacant property at 10:00am on Friday (Oct 18) and found 575 cannabis plants in advanced stages of growth across three rooms. The estimated yield of the plants could have produced between 15 and 45 kilograms of cannabis, valued at £170,000 to £500,000 on the street.

Inside the building, officers also discovered a makeshift living area with a bed and shower, indicating that the suspect, Amarildo Daja, had been residing there. Daja attempted to flee but retreated into the building, hiding in the ceiling when confronted by police. Officers assisted him down with a ladder before placing him under arrest.

The property’s electricity supply had been tampered with to avoid detection, and two mobile phones were found on-site—one damaged and the other wiped clean.

Daja, 27, admitted to police that he had been smuggled into the UK by a criminal gang to pay off a debt. He initially worked in London but agreed to tend the cannabis farm in Pembrokeshire three months prior to his arrest after struggling to make payments.

In court, his defense barrister, Caitlin Brazel, explained that Daja deeply regretted his actions, describing them as “out of character.” Daja, who has no fixed address, expressed a desire to serve his sentence and seek legal employment afterward.

Judge Geraint Walters noted that the case highlighted the need to target criminal organizations behind such operations. “If we want to tackle the issue of Albanian criminal gangs establishing cannabis factories, we must find the ringleaders,” he stated.

Daja will serve his sentence with the possibility of deportation upon release, subject to a Home Office decision.

(Main image: Martin Cavaney)

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Crime

Officers investigate Carmarthenshire post office burglary – Cash stolen

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DYFED-POWYS POLICe is investigating a burglary at a Carmarthenshire post office which took place on Tuesday (Nov 5) at around 6:30pm.

Detectives said that two suspects reportedly entered the Furnace Post Office, stealing the till drawer containing a quantity of cash.

After fleeing the scene, the pair were seen heading towards the Rugby Club and Ynys Y Cwm Road.

Police are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the suspects.

They are particularly keen to hear from residents near these areas who may have CCTV or doorbell camera footage.

Investigators are also seeking to identify the individual in CCTV images who could possess information vital to the investigation.

Anyone who recognises the person in the footage, or believes they might be pictured, is urged to get in touch via the following channels:

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Crime

Motorist jailed over death of popular Tenby taxi driver ‘Mukka’

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MOTORIST Mateusz Sikorski, 30, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 8) for causing death by dangerous driving.

Addressing the court, the judge HH Geraint Walters KC, said: “These cases are amongst the most difficult that courts have to deal with. This wasn’t a momentary crossing onto the other carriageway; you were travelling along there for at least half a mile.”

Sikorski had been staying with friends in Manorbier, Tenby, since June 2024, when the fatal incident occurred.

On September 2, CCTV captured Sikorski driving on the wrong side of the A4139 between Tenby and Penally. Christopher Boyle, 57, was travelling northbound on the same road in his taxi when the two collided head-on.

Mukka was a well known and well loved member of the local community (Image: Supplied)

Prosecutor Dean Pulling recounted Sikorski’s comments at the scene: “I think it may have been my fault, I think I was on the wrong side of the road.” Boyle was pronounced dead at 11:32 pm on September 2, having sustained multiple traumatic injuries.

A heartfelt family statement from Boyle’s sister was read in court, describing the devastating impact of his death: “The loss of Chris has been absolutely devastating. His death has left a profound void that can never be filled.

“He was a son, brother, father, and beloved member of our community. My father has had to endure the unimaginable by burying his own son. For Christopher’s children, they have lost a dad.

Tribute in the sand: Mukka is missed by many

“Chris was a much-loved character within the community. His loss has left a hole in the hearts of so many. All of this was caused by a moment of selfish and careless actions, and caused a lifetime of grief.”

In mitigation, James Hartson argued that Sikorski had accepted full responsibility for Boyle’s death and expressed genuine remorse.

Christopher Boyle, affectionately known as “Mukka” was a devoted father, son, brother, partner, and community figure, whose absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.

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