News
Lifeboat and other vessels race to the rescue to four kayakers in difficulty
ON Saturday morning, August 24, at 9:33 AM, an alarm was raised regarding four kayakers in difficulty between Chapel Bay and Thorn Island.
The RNLI, two coastguard rescue teams and a helicopter were all scrambled to the scene.
Also responding to the call were multiple small pleasure vessels and the Port Authority pilot vessel ‘Skomer’.
Once on scene, the RNLI said that the crew discovered that one of the casualties had made it safely to West Angle Beach, two had been recovered by a fishing vessel and the fourth casualty had climbed the cliff in an attempt to get to safety and was now stuck 30 metres up on a small island.
The two casualties were taken onboard from the fishing vessel, and after assessing the location of the last casualty the crew subsequently requested air support from the Coastguard.
Whilst awaiting the arrival of the helicopter, the crew deployed the Lifeboat’s inflatable Y boat to recover the casualties kayak and belongings which were in the water close inshore.
Once recovered, the Y boat was brought back onboard the Lifeboat and the crew stood by, keeping eyes on the casualty on the cliff.
Shortly after, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R187 from St Athan arrived and swiftly winched the casualty from the cliff top.
The helicopter proceeded round to West Angle and landed in a nearby field to hand the casualty over to members of St Govan’s and Tenby Coastguard Rescue Teams.
The Lifeboat then headed round to East Angle Bay and once again utilised the Y boat to transfer the other two casualties and their kayaks ashore into the care of their family and members of the Coastguard Teams.
With no further assistance required, the Lifeboat returned to the jetty and was ready for further service by 12:30pm.
News
Man remanded in custody after trespassing with intention to commit sexual act
A FISHGUARD man who has admitted the attempted strangulation of a woman and of trespassing at an unidentified address with the intention of committing a sexual act has appeared before Swansea Crown Court for sentence.
Benjamin Guiver, 34, was listed for sentence this afternoon (Monday, October 7) however his sentencing was adjourned after barristers went into counsel following the request of the defence.
Guiver, of Heol Glyndwr, Fishguard also stands to be sentenced for the grievous bodily harm of a victim described by Dyfed-Powys Police officers as having sustained ‘serious facial injuries’ in ‘a reportedly sustained attack’ and the sexual assault of a woman by penetration. He has pleaded guilty to all four offences.
Guiver’s sentencing will now proceed on October 18 and the defendant was remanded in custody.
News
Communities Taking the Lead to get Better Broadband
Locals in Dale, Pembrokeshire successfully use UK Government’s Project Gigabit voucher scheme to connect the village with high-speed internet
Dale, a small rural community on the coast of Pembrokeshire has long endured poor internet connectivity that has plagued its residents with little to no ability to use the internet for work, communication or entertainment. With the movement of most services and day-to-day tasks to online, having limited internet access was having a detrimental effect on residents who were experiencing firsthand the digital divide.
However, after being told about a UK Government funded project by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Digital Champions, this has now thankfully changed and much of Dale is now connected to gigabit-capable broadband that serves the whole village.
Project Gigabit aims to provide lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband (1,000 Mbps) to homes and businesses across the UK. With £5 billion UK Government investment, it targets areas that currently have poor internet connectivity, enabling them to have access to the same high-speed internet as urban areas.
With the voucher scheme, residents and businesses in eligible areas have been able to apply for financial help to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband.
Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Connecting our rural communities is a significant step in the digital infrastructure of Pembrokeshire.
“Along with our partners, this extensive programme of work has transformed full fibre connectivity and will futureproof the network in our county.
“The commitment from this authority will ensure our communities won’t be left without connection.
“There is more to do, but thanks to a proactive approach by the County Council, full fibre will be offered to more and more communities all the time.”
The benefits of being better connected rurally are uncontested with the results already being seen in Dale. From helping local businesses to improving access to digital services, having reliable, fast internet access has been the core of the connectivity solution for the Pembrokeshire village.
Going forward, the UK Government ‘Project Gigabit’ is about making sure everyone in the UK, no matter where they live, has access to fast and reliable internet, bridging the digital divide and providing the opportunity for every harder to reach community to stay connected.
Crime
Pembrokeshire chef admits causing taxi driver’s death
A CHEF from Pembrokeshire has admitted causing the death local taxi driver, Christopher Boyle.
Mateusz Sikorski, 30, formerly of Manorbier and now residing in the Narberth area, appeared at Swansea Crown Court today, Monday, 7 October. Sikorski pleaded guilty to causing the death of 57-year-old Mr Boyle on 2 September 2024 while driving a BMW Series 1 car on the A4139 in Penally.
Sikorski was initially arrested and charged shortly after the incident and first appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court on 5 September, where he was remanded in custody. However, on 12 September, Sikorski was granted bail with several strict conditions: he must reside in the Narberth area, adhere to an 8 pm-8 am curfew, and report to a police station weekly. He was also issued an interim driving ban.
The fatal crash, which involved Sikorski’s car and Mr Boyle’s silver Volkswagen taxi, occurred on the Penally by-pass near Tenby. Mr Boyle, affectionately known as “Mucker,” was a father-of-five and a well-known figure in the community. Sadly, he died at the scene of the collision.
During today’s hearing, Judge Catherine Richards renewed Sikorski’s bail conditions and adjourned the case for sentencing until Friday, 8 November.
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