Business

Pembrokeshire pub owner accused of Oasis and Coldplay ticket scam

Published

5 months ago

July 7, 2025

David Alexander Gray allegedly took thousands for fake hospitality packages at Principality Stadium

A PEMBROKESHIRE pub figure and tech company director is facing serious allegations after dozens of people claim they were conned out of thousands of pounds for non-existent VIP concert tickets.

***Speculation Inn, Hundleton, Pembrokeshire***

David Alexander Gray, who was publicly named in 2023 as the man who bought and restored The Speculation Inn in Hundleton, is accused of falsely selling hospitality packages to gigs at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, including performances by Oasis and Coldplay—despite reportedly having no valid booking with the venue.

“We were scammed out of £4,000”

Eve Siggins, a resident of Newport, was one of the first victims to speak out. She told The Herald that she and her husband paid £4,000 to Gray for 16 tickets—14 for Oasis, and 2 for Coldplay.

“We had family and friends travelling from York, Essex and Wiltshire to celebrate the second day of the Oasis tour,” she said. “We were completely scammed.”

“He told us to meet him at the gate”

Jess Bonnici, another complainant, said her family had previously received valid tickets from Gray, so had no reason to doubt him. This time, however, things were different.

“He said he couldn’t transfer the tickets because his phone was playing up,” she said. “We’ve had tickets off him before and my dad’s done a lot of work for him—so this totally caught us off guard.”

When they contacted Principality Stadium’s hospitality team, they were told their names were not on the guest list. In a message seen by The Herald, staff responded:

“David Gray does not have a booking with us and seems he has scammed up to 40 people.”

Ms Bonnici also shared a possible second address where Gray may be staying: a flat at Devon Court, Freshwater East (SA71 5LH).

“Expensive day out in Cardiff”

Rhys Anthony also came forward, telling The Herald that a group of seven people paid £350 each—totalling £2,450—to Gray for access to a hospitality box for the Oasis show.

“One of our group is the cousin of David’s recently divorced wife,” he said. “We’d been to his box before for previous gigs, so we had no reason to doubt him. But this time, it never happened. Expensive day out in Cardiff!”

Companies, pub links and prior claims

David Alexander Gray, born August 1982, is listed as director of TECH DG LTD, registered in November 2023. He has also been linked to two other firms: Explorehub and Graphene Networks—both named in public warnings by complainants.

In a 2023 profile by the Western Telegraph, Gray was quoted extensively, describing how he bought The Speculation Inn in December 2022, restored it, and planned its relaunch. The feature referred to him as the pub’s owner and restorer, and he appeared in press photos inside the building.

Father distances himself from scandal

Chris Gray, who is listed as the pub’s legal contact, has now told The Herald that the Western Telegraph article was “wrong” and caused a family rift. “David left the pub after that,” he wrote in an email. “He only returned a few months ago, sleeping in a van after leaving his wife. I let him stay at the camp site until he could get himself together. He’s now left again and I assume is back sleeping in the van.”

Chris Gray also stated that he owns the pub and arranged all the restoration work.

However, The Herald can confirm that the original article was written by Sarah Jane Absalom, who now works for this newspaper. She has confirmed that she visited The Speculation Inn in person in 2023 and interviewed David Gray directly, who presented himself as the new owner. He spoke enthusiastically about his plans to open a café, a barbecue smokehouse, and a campsite behind the premises.

No correction was ever published by the Western Telegraph, and Mr Gray did not explain why none was sought at the time.

No comment from David Gray

The Herald attempted to contact Mr Gray directly, his mobile number was switched off.

As of Saturday (July 6), Mr Gray has not issued a public statement. Several victims have confirmed that they have reported the matter to police.

The Principality Stadium is understood to be compiling a list of all affected individuals.

Have you been affected?

If you have further information or believe you have been impacted by this issue, contact our newsroom in confidence:
📧 [email protected]

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

6 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

14 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.