News

Report that ‘12 year old girls snorting cocaine off tables’ ridiculous, says landlady

Published

10 years ago

November 20, 2013

THE LANDLADY of a well known Milford Haven pub has hit back at police over a report saying that her establishment should have its licence revoked.

Debbie Haughey, the landlady of The Alma Hotel on Priory Street, received notification from her solicitors on Tuesday that the police are applying to revoke her premises licence.

In a lengthy report, Chief Inspector Blackmore, of Dyfed-Powys Police says: “It’s a poorly run public house. If this record of lock-ins, under-age drinking, violent crime, lack of supervision, serving of drunken customers, non-cooperation and support is not sufficient to merit revocation then it is difficult to see what is. After all, this is not a city centre night club, but a pub on a town side-street that is currently making a mockery of the licensing laws.”

The police report catalogues 66 alleged incidents concerning The Alma, which have come to the attention of the police over the last few years. The report claims that police were informed via a 999 call on October 6 in which “A caller reported 12 year old girls at the Alma on cocaine. There are reports of about eight to ten of them there. Caller goes on to say that he would rather see the place closed down than to go drinking there.”

The report goes on to say: “Unfortunately the police in Milford Haven were not made aware of the incident and therefore not in a position to verify the validity of the report.”

Debbie Haughey told The Herald: “I have a been a licensee for six years, and before running The Alma Hotel, I was in charge of The Haven Hotel on Hamilton Terrace. During my time at The Haven Hotel, and since I have left, it has had a reputation as being difficult premises to manage. I have always maintained a very good working relationship with all of the statutory authorities, specially the police and licensing team at Pembrokeshire County Council.”

She went on to say: “I feel that since there was a change in the police licensing officer things have changed. I do not feel that I have had the opportunity to build a positive relationship with Nigel Hayes, since he took his position replacing Tony Davies, with whom I had a very constructive working relationship.

“I always had the opportunity with Tony Davies, a very experienced licensing officer who had been in the job for as long as anyone can remember, to pick up the telephone and talk to him about any issues or difficulties that I was encountering with my licensed premises. This option is no longer open to me under the new arrangements”

“I have been encouraged by the police and the Council to report all incidents at the premises. Where it would be easy to not report incidents The Alma has a policy of ensuring that the authorities are made aware of hat is going on at all times. However, feel that this policy is now being used against the premises, because the umber of incidents looks fairly high. In fact, it should be noted that this is because of the policy, rather than because of a higher rate of incidents compared to some other town centre pubs.”

Debbie Haughey concluded: “The police have been concerned about drugs at the premises, which I believe are a result of malicious calls to police from rival premises. In a climate where pubs are closing daily, the management of these premises are in competition with the Alma to attract an ever shrinking number of customers.

“This competition leads to false reports, wild accusations and the wasting of police time. This was made evident at the execution of a drugs warrant at the premises by police on the November 10 2012, where no drugs were found. This wasted the time of a dozen officers who were tied up that evening as a result of completely false information from rival establishments. Allegations of twelve year olds snorting cocaine are just ridiculous. If the police believed it was true, why didn’t they attend, it’s a major child protection issue.”

The police went on to say: “Whist the list of incidents at the Alma is concerning it should be recognised that many incidents go unreported – a sobering thought!”

The police are seeking a complete revocation of the licence, or in the alternative a reduction in hours to 11pm closing, the removal of any form of regulated entertainment and the removal of Debbie Haughey from the licence.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will decide the fate of the premises next year.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”

Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.