News
UPDATED: Pembroke Dock shaken by Halloween ‘murder’
THREE people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following an incident today (Oct 31) in Pembroke Dock, Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed.
The arrests follow a sudden death of a male at a property near Bush Street.
The deceased has been named as local Roger Williams, 50, by several nearby residents on Friday evening, and on Saturday (Nov 1) this was confirmed by police.
Paramedics were notified of an unresponsive man at a flat in the town at around lunch time. The man was reportedly lying unconscious in the hall way of a ground floor flat at Pater Court.
Mark Whitefoot, the landlord of the Bush Tavern, next door to where the incident took place, told The Herald: “I saw the ambulance arrive, at around 1pm, and then saw the gentleman lying in the hall way of the flat. His head was pointing in towards the flat, and his feet were near the doorstep. The door was open and the paramedics were coming to and from the property. His shirt was open; the ambulance crew had obviously been working on him. But he had passed away.”
He added: “A few minutes later the police arrived in a riot van. There were suddenly a lot of police vehicles. Soon afterwards CID came into the pub and asked me to review my CCTV. I of course let them. It was shortly after that they arrested a female – she was really struggling with the officers – she didn’t want to be put into the van. She was practically fighting with them.”
A customer at the bar in his sixties seemed visibly shaken by the incident. He said: “I know the people involved. I live nearby – I know the guy who has died; I am also very friendly with his brother. I also know some of those who have been arrested.”
“It’s a tragedy”, he said.
Across the road at Mega-Kebab the stunned staff told our reporter that he had been told by several customers the name of the person who had died. A customer, who did not want to be named, said that he knew the gentleman; “It was Roger Williams – It’s terrible what has happened. I can’t believe that something like this could happen in Pembroke Dock.”
There is a police presence at the property this evening, and it is understood that the individuals are being held in custody at Haverfordwest police station. Two officers are sat in a police vehicle keeping a watch on the property ensuring that the crime scene will not be disturbed.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson, said: “We can confirm that Roger Williams was found dead on the afternoon of Friday October 31. Next of kin were informed and are being supported by family liaison officers.”
“We are asking for anyone who may have seen Roger, or been in the area of Pater Court, Bush Street or Law Street Pembroke Dock between 12:30pm and 1:20pm on Friday to speak to the investigation team by calling 101.”
“A Home Office post mortem will be carried out today (Nov 1) to help determine the cause of death. The police investigation is ongoing. Yesterday afternoon, one woman and two men were arrested on suspicion of murder. All three remain in custody and are being interviewed by Police.”
Pembroke Dock resident Paul Dowson, who works for The Herald, said: “I knew Roger Williams. He was a genuinely nice bloke. He will be missed.”
The Pembrokeshire Herald has chosen not to name those who have been arrested at this time as they have not been formally charged. The Herald will bring you more on this breaking news story as it unfolds.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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