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Crime

Four prison officers arrested following allegations of misconduct at HMP Parc

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SOUTH WALES POLICE have confirmed they have arrested four prison officers this morning at HMP Parc Prison in Bridgend, which houses many inmates from Pembrokeshire, following reports of a series of misconduct incidents. The officers, a 23-year-old woman from Bridgend, a 45-year-old man from Pontycymer, a 25-year-old man from Merthyr, and a 35-year-old man from Llanelli, were detained on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office.

Detective Chief Inspector Dean Taylor stated that the investigation is in its early stages, and officers are working closely with G4S, the private firm managing the prison. The arrests come after concerns were raised on Wednesday, September 18, regarding the conduct of prison staff. Investigations are ongoing.

This arrest occurs just one day after Welsh Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt announced that HMP Parc was “much more stable” following the appointment of a new director in June 2024. The minister’s comments were part of broader praise for recent management improvements in the facility, which has been under scrutiny following a spate of inmate deaths, including four related to drug misuse.

The prison, managed by G4S, has been facing increasing concerns over safety, staff shortages, and allegations of misconduct. Calls for greater oversight have intensified, with today’s arrests further spotlighting the challenges at the institution.

An HMP Parc spokesperson said: “The vast majority of our staff are hardworking and honest. We are absolutely committed to rooting out any wrongdoing. “We take these allegations very seriously and are fully supporting the police with their investigation.”

 

Crime

Carpenter banned after drug-driving in camper van

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Pembroke Dock man was five times over the cannabis limit

A PEMBROKESHIRE carpenter has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel of his camper van while five times over the drug-drive limit.

James Toulouse, 35, was stopped by police shortly before midnight on December 20, 2025, as he drove his white Mercedes Vito along Buttermilk Lane in Pembroke.

“There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and the driver, who was James Toulouse, appeared glazed, as his eyes were red and bleary,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

A roadside drug swipe proved positive. Further tests showed Toulouse had 11mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

The court heard this was Toulouse’s second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Toulouse, of Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said the defendant works as a carpenter.

“Obviously it’s not going to be easy for him to carry on with his work, but he’s fully intending to do so,” he said.

Toulouse was disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £140 surcharge.

 

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Crime

Pembroke motorist fined after missing drug assessment

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A 27-year-old man told magistrates the appointment had “completely gone out of my mind”

A PEMBROKE motorist has been fined after failing to attend an initial drug assessment following a positive test for a class A drug.

Bradley Bostock, 27, was told to attend the assessment centre in Haverfordwest on December 16, 2025, but failed to do so.

His non-attendance led to his appearance before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23), where he pleaded guilty.

“In all honesty, it completely went out of my mind,” Bostock told the bench.

“I didn’t get out of the cell until three o’clock in the morning, and there was so much going on, I simply forgot. But I’m more than willing to go.”

Bostock, of Corston Cottages, Axton Hill, Pembroke, was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.

 

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Crime

Milford man threatened to smash parents’ windows, court hears

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A MILFORD HAVEN man who repeatedly asked his parents for alcohol and money has admitted threatening to damage their home.

Christopher Sizer, 38, threatened to smash windows and kick in doors at his parents’ property in Shakespeare Avenue, Milford Haven, on March 3.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard there had been long-standing issues between Sizer and his parents.

“There have been long-standing issues between the defendant and his parents, and he’s constantly asking them for money,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“If they don’t give it, then he makes threats. But this is impacting them significantly. It just can’t go on.”

Ms Vaughan said Sizer had arrived at the property initially asking for alcohol.

“He had friends with him and then asked them for pizza, but this was a drain on their finances,” she said.

“It was at this point that he threatened to damage their property with a hammer that was readily available, and naturally they were concerned about that.”

The court was told Sizer’s mother had provided a victim impact statement, saying she and her husband could no longer cope with his behaviour.

“If we don’t give him what he wants, he threatens to kill himself, and if we have a night away he’ll phone me constantly, asking for money,” she said.

“My husband has had to get a night job to get extra money and we’ve also had to take out a loan. We can’t cope with his behaviour any more.”

Sizer, of Precelly Place, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to making threats to damage or destroy property.

Magistrates requested a pre-sentence report from the probation service before sentencing and adjourned the case until July 14.

Sizer was released on conditional bail. He must not enter his parents’ property in Shakespeare Avenue, must not enter the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven, and must not contact his parents by any means, either directly or indirectly.

 

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