News

St Davids lifeboat crew battle fierce winds to save kayaker swept out to sea

Published

9 months ago

September 6, 2025

ST DAVIDS RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was launched at 3:50pm on Saturday (Sept 6) after reports of a kayak fisherman in serious difficulty, struggling against powerful offshore winds in Abereiddy Bay.

The Tamar-class lifeboat, with its volunteer crew, surged into action and reached the scene within half an hour. From high on the cliffs, HM Coastguard St Davids had already spotted the lone kayaker, who was battling for survival nearly a mile offshore as winds of up to 38mph drove him further out to sea.

The lifeboat crew wasted no time. With the swell building and the kayak drifting fast, they manoeuvred alongside and hauled the exhausted casualty to safety. His inflatable kayak was also recovered. Though alert, the fisherman was visibly shaken and was quickly brought into the wheelhouse to warm up and recover from the ordeal.

In a seamless joint effort, the lifeboat’s daughter craft was launched to transfer the kayaker back to Abereiddy beach, where the waiting coastguard team ensured he was safely brought ashore.

By 5:30pm, the St Davids lifeboat had returned to station, refuelled and made ready for its next call.

Coxswain Will Chant said: “The kayaker had been safe while close to shore but was caught out by the sheer force of the offshore winds once he ventured beyond the headland. This was a timely launch and excellent teamwork across agencies. Without such a rapid response, this rescue could have become far more dangerous in the conditions.”

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

7 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.