Crime

BBC in talks to reclaim £200,000 from disgraced presenter Huw Edwards

Published

7 days ago

September 10, 2024

THE BBC’s Director-General, Tim Davie, has confirmed that discussions are under way regarding the potential recovery of £200,000 from disgraced former news presenter Huw Edwards. Despite the request, Edwards, from Carmarthenshire has yet to return the money. The BBC is seeking to claw back the salary Edwards continued to receive after being arrested last November on charges related to indecent images of children.

Speaking before the House of Lords communications and digital committee on Tuesday, Mr Davie stated: “We’ve made the formal request, and I can’t go into too much detail, but discussions are under way. The money should be returned, and we have made the request.”

When pressed by the committee’s chair, Baroness Stowell, on whether a deadline had been set for Edwards, Mr Davie confirmed no formal timeline had been imposed. “But we do expect to make progress and get an answer,” he added.

The BBC first made the request for repayment in August, following Edwards’ suspension in July 2023 and subsequent arrest in November on three counts of making indecent images of children. The corporation has indicated that legal avenues may be explored to recover the money, though Mr Davie acknowledged the difficulty of such an approach.

Edwards, once one of the BBC’s most prominent newsreaders, continued to draw his salary for five months after his arrest. He did not resign from his role at the BBC until April 2024, following his guilty plea to the charges.

In a letter to staff, BBC Chair Samir Shah condemned Edwards’ actions, stating that the former presenter had “behaved in bad faith” by continuing to accept his salary despite his criminal activities. “What Huw Edwards did damaged the reputation of the BBC,” Mr Shah remarked during the committee session. “It was a shock to find he was charged and had lived this double life. The person who betrayed the trust of the nation was Huw Edwards.”

The committee session also touched upon broader concerns regarding the BBC’s independence from government influence. Mr Shah expressed his belief that the government’s leverage over the corporation had damaged its global reputation in recent years. He argued that the BBC should aim to reduce this influence and instead focus its accountability on the public and licence fee payers.

“The BBC’s 14-strong board includes five non-executive directors appointed by the government. I’m not sure that’s the right balance, and I think we should think again about it,” said Mr Shah, reflecting on the influence exerted by government-appointed members.

Mr Shah’s comments come in the wake of previous controversies surrounding the BBC’s leadership. Richard Sharp, Mr Shah’s predecessor as chair, resigned in 2023 after a report criticised his failure to fully disclose his involvement in Boris Johnson’s personal financial dealings. Although Mr Sharp defended his actions, he ultimately stepped down to avoid being a distraction.

Additionally, former Downing Street head of communications, Sir Robbie Gibb, faced accusations of editorial interference after joining the BBC board in 2021.

Mr Shah also raised concerns about the BBC’s funding structure, particularly the impact of government-imposed duties. He highlighted the corporation’s responsibility for funding the World Service, which was transferred from the government to the BBC a decade ago. “We suddenly had to find £300m,” Mr Shah noted, adding that such financial burdens detract from the corporation’s ability to produce content.

“What matters most of all is the independence of the BBC,” he asserted. “We need to have a future funding model that ensures we are independent of that kind of action.”

Crime

Pembrokeshire man to appear in court charged with Narberth rape

Published

1 hour ago

September 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A 46-YEAR-OLD man from Pembrokeshire will appear in Haverfordwest Magistrates’ court today facing multiple sexual offence charges, including rape, as the result of an incident alleged to have occurred in Narberth in 2022.

It is alleged that Richard Murray, of Dolau, Llandissilio, penetrated the mouth of a woman with his penis without her consent and without any reasonable belief that she was consenting.

In addition to the rape charge, Murray faces two further charges of a sexual nature.

The second charge alleges sexual assault on a female over the age of 16.

The prosecution claims that Murray intentionally touched the woman in a sexual manner without her consent and without reasonably believing that she was consenting.

The third charge involves an attempted sexual offence.

It is alleged that Murray attempted to cause a girl between the age of 13 and 15 to engage in a sexual activity without penetration, specifically by trying to make her place her hand on his penis.

Murray is expected to be present in the court for this initial hearing, it is likely that the case would be, due to its nature, adjourned to Swansea Crown Court.

Crime

Police appeal after male hospitalised in Castle Square assault

Published

21 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating an incident which occurred at about 1.05am, Sunday, September 1.

A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital with head injuries following the incident on Castle Square, Haverfordwest.

A 21-year old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and later released on condition bail pending further police enquiries.

Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Quote reference: 36 of the 1st.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Carmarthenshire County Council gets tough on littering and environmental offences

Published

1 day ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL reaffirms its dedication to ensuring a clean and safe environment by issuing a number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and enforcement actions throughout August 2024. These actions address violations of environmental regulations, including littering, fly-tipping, improper waste disposal, and vehicle abandonment.

Littering Offences – £125 FPNs

The Environmental Enforcement Team issued £125 FPNs for various littering offences across the county:

Morrisons Recycling Facility, Trostre: A female resident of Penlan, Bryn, Llanelli was issued an FPN for leaving a carrier bag containing a plate on the ground.
Morrisons Recycling Facility, Llanelli: A female resident of Heol Gwyr, Llanelli was issued an FPN for abandoning a black bag containing a fan surround at the site.
Burry Port Recycling Facility: A female resident of Heol Gwendraeth, Burry Port was issued an FPN for leaving a cardboard box on the ground.
Morrisons Recycling Facility, Trostre: A female resident of Brynhyfryd was issued an FPN for depositing a bag of glass on the ground.
Tesco Extra, Llanelli: A male resident from Felinfoel was issued an FPN for discarding McDonald’s packaging near the clothing banks.
St Clears Bring Site: A female resident of St Clears was issued an FPN for leaving a cardboard box containing broken glass on the ground.
Morrisons Carmarthen: A female resident of Ponthenry was fined for depositing a carrier bag full of household waste at the recycling facility.
Abandonment of a Vehicle – £200 FPN
Pwll, Llanelli: A male resident of Swansea was fined £200 for abandoning a vehicle in the Pwll area.
Fly-Tipping – £400 FPN
St Clears Bring Site: A male resident of Carmarthen Town was issued a £400 FPN for fly-tipping multiple cardboard boxes, books, and household waste, including a black and blue bag, at the site.
Waste Receptacle Offences – £100 FPNs
Several residents were issued £100 FPNs for failing to comply with waste receptacle regulations.
Carmarthen (Sycamore Way): A female resident was fined for placing her waste out on the incorrect day.
Ammanford: A resident was issued an FPN for placing waste in the incorrect location.
Llanelli (Burry Street): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing dirty items, including used puppy pads, in blue recycling bags and for incorrect waste collection timing.
Carmarthen (Belvedere Avenue): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing glass and contaminated items in blue recycling bags.
Llanelli (Station Road): A female resident was issued an FPN for placing contaminated waste in blue bags on the wrong day and time.
Llanelli (Stafford Street): Two female residents were issued FPNs for placing dirty items and food waste in blue recycling bags.
Llanelli (Burry Street): Another female resident was issued an FPN for placing textiles and dirty items in blue bags and for incorrect waste collection timing.
Carmarthen (Belvedere Avenue): A resident was issued an FPN for placing black and blue bags out on the wrong day and contaminating blue recycling bags.
Prosecutions

Carmarthenshire County Council successfully prosecuted two individuals for littering offences:

Water Street, Carmarthen: On 3rd January 2024, Mr. Martin Robert Tucker of Penrhiwllan, Llandysul, was witnessed throwing a cigarette butt from his vehicle. Despite being offered the opportunity to pay a £125 FPN, Mr. Tucker failed to do so. The case was referred to the magistrates, resulting in a £270 fine, £300 in costs, and an £88 victim surcharge.
Vaughan Street, Llanelli: Mr. Stuart Allen, a Llanelli resident, was seen discarding a cigarette end in January 2024. After failing to pay the £125 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), the case was brought to court. Mr. Allen was then issued a £120 FPN, and the magistrates imposed £200 in court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
Enforcement Notices Issued

In August 2024, Carmarthenshire County Council issued:

39 Section 46 Notices under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for failure to adhere to waste disposal regulations.
12 Section 47 Notices under the same act for offences related to commercial and industrial waste disposal.
Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation, and Sustainability, said:

“These enforcement actions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to protecting the environment. We urge residents to adhere to waste disposal regulations and to report any offences.”

Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipping or other environmental violations through the Council’s website or by calling 01267 234567.