News

Wales rugby star at centre of controversy over damaged home incident

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

A WOMAN whose home was damaged by a group of men, including Wales rugby player Cory Hill, has revealed the “devastating” impact the incident had on her family. Speaking to BBC Wales, “Sara” (not her real name) expressed her shock and disgust when head coach Warren Gatland recently named Hill as Wales captain.

Sara described the harrowing experience of the incident in May 2021, when a group of men, including Hill, mistakenly damaged her home. She recounted hearing a “thunderous banging sound” at her front door, which left her daughter terrified and asking, “Mammy, are people trying to get us?” Sara feared for their lives, believing someone was trying to break in with a sledgehammer.

The incident was resolved through a “community resolution” by South Wales Police, and Hill’s representative later apologised, stating the group had gone to the wrong property. However, the trauma from that night continues to affect Sara and her family, with her eldest daughter still receiving therapy.

In May 2023, Sara met Gatland and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director Nigel Walker at the Senedd to share her story. She described Gatland’s reaction as one of shock and sympathy, and she left the meeting with the impression that Hill would not return to the national squad. However, Hill was later included in the Wales squad for the Australian tour and was even named captain for a match against the Queensland Reds.

The decision to appoint Hill as captain sparked outrage, leading Gatland to apologise and Hill to withdraw from the match for “personal reasons”. Gatland admitted he made a mistake, stating, “I probably didn’t appreciate there was going to be some negativity about making that call.”

Sara felt betrayed by the decision, saying it “sullied” the captaincy role and left her “beyond disappointed”. She questioned why the WRU had not contacted her before naming Hill as captain, forcing her to relive her trauma.

Member of the Senedd Heledd Fychan, who arranged the meeting between Sara, Gatland, and Walker, criticised the WRU for its lack of communication. She expressed hope that the WRU would reflect on the situation and make better decisions in the future.

Nigel Walker acknowledged the deep trauma Sara had suffered and admitted that the WRU had made a mistake in naming Hill as captain. He apologised for the added trauma caused by the decision and assured that the WRU is striving to improve its decision-making processes.

Walker also offered support to Sara, including mediation, and expressed regret if she was left with the impression that Hill would not be considered for future selection. He emphasised the WRU’s commitment to learning from this incident to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Hill, who has since withdrawn from the team, expressed his regret over the incident, acknowledging that he made a mistake and apologising for his actions. Despite the controversy, he remains hopeful for the future and is focused on rebuilding his career.

The WRU’s handling of this incident highlights the need for greater sensitivity and awareness in addressing the personal impacts of players’ actions off the field. The organisation has vowed to learn from this experience and ensure that such mistakes are not repeated.

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

1 hour ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

3 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.