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Ransackers held woman ‘hostage’

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smashed_door* Two Pembrokeshire homes robbed, one burgled
* Homeowners left shaken by ‘traumatic ordeal’
* Police moved quickly to make arrests
* One man remanded, another on the run.

A GWENT man who is alleged to have committed serious offences in Pembrokeshire last week has been remanded in custody.
Tony Smith, 20, of Chestnut Close, Ebw Vale, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with robbery and burglary.
Between late afternoon and the evening of Thursday, October 24, two robberies and a burglary occurred in the Whitland and Kilgetty areas. In all three incidents elderly people were targeted, and one of the victims sustained minor injury.
Officers commenced enquiries immediately and two men were arrested that evening. The men, a 22-year-old and a 20-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of dwelling burglary and robbery. A special court was held late on Friday, October 25 where police were given a further 36 hours to detain the men in custody.
A third man, who police believe to be connected with the case, is still on the run.
John Henry Hearne, 19, from the Brynmawr area, also in Gwent, is wanted by police for questioning.
CPS Prosecutor Vaughan Prichard-Jones told the court the facts of the case: “At around 4.15pm on October 24 the defendant with his accomplice kicked down the front door of a house belonging to an elderly man in Whitland, shouting ‘Where’s your money’.”
“An elderly man who was in the house at the time was traumatised by the event,” said Mr Prichard-Jones.
“After ransacking the house the pair left, and a short time later they burgled another house in Kilgetty. They broke in by smashing the back door. The owner returned a short time later to find his house had been turned upside down,” he added.
“At 5pm they went to a house in Pentlepoir where two elderly women were living. After breaking in, one of the men held the women hostage while the other went around the house, taking out the telephone so they could not call the police, and taking what he could find.
‘’Those who were involved gave statements to the police, and the description given of one of the men was a close match to the defendant here today,” said Mr Prichard-Jones.
“Police then came across the vehicle which had been reported in the first incident, and saw Smith walking towards the car. He was arrested and officers found cash and other items in his possession,” he added.
“Forensic tests were carried out and small glass particles were found on his jumper as a result of smashing a window at the second house.
‘’Bottles of alcohol found in the car were also found to have Smith’s DNA on them.”
“CCTV also shows a man dropping off items in a garden including a pair of gloves and after more tests it was found that Smith had been wearing them.”
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court: “Smith could continue to offend if he is not kept in custody”.
The magistrates agreed and ordered that Smith be kept on remand.
They commented: “We cannot release you on the strength of the evidence brought by the prosecution”.
Members of Smith’s family cried as he was led away flanked by security officers.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

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A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

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News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

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POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

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Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

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Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.

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