News
£5bn mobile investment is a ‘boost for Pembrokeshire’ says minister
PRESELI MP Stephen Crabb has called a new £5 billion investment in the UK’s mobile infrastructure a “welcome step forward and a boost for Pembrokeshire.” The local MP has held a number of discussions with Culture Secretary Sajid Javid about mobile coverage in Pembrokeshire ahead of this week’s announcement. The landmark deal will see the mobile network operators EE, 02, Three and Vodafone, vastly reducing the number of both partial- and total not-spots. Where 63% of Wales now has coverage from all four operators, the deal will increase this figure to 83% by 2017.
Complete not-spots will be reduced by over two thirds and partial not-spots halved. Modern mobile data services too will be brought to many areas of Wales for the first time. Stephen has been raising the problem of not-spots in Pembrokeshire with Culture Secretary Javid and has pushed for the UK Government to seek a deal to improve mobile coverage.
As a rural area, the County has suffered from not-spots for some time, with villages like St Ishmaels particularly affected. Commenting, Stephen Crabb MP said: “This deal is a welcome step forward for rural areas across the country – but will be a particular boost for Pembrokeshire.” “More and more people are carrying out more of their social and economic activity on smartphones and the longer that not-spots go on, the bigger a problem it will become for Pembrokeshire. This is one of the most pressing issues raised with me by local businesses.”
“Vastly reducing the number of not-spots could be a big boost to the economy and rural communities of Pembrokeshire. I am pleased that the Culture Secretary Sajid Javid has announced this deal following my discussions with him. But we need to see continued progress on this matter in the months ahead.”
Crime
Man who threatened to kill Herald editor given suspended prison sentence
A PEMBROKESHIRE man who sent a message threatening to kill Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair has been given a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.
Anthony Jones, aged 34, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 23) for sentencing after being found guilty of two offences following a trial earlier this month.
The court heard that on February 24, 2025, Jones sent a communication conveying a threat of death or serious harm, contrary to the Online Safety Act 2023. Magistrates were told he intended, or was reckless as to whether, the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.
Jones was also convicted of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress following an incident on April 8, 2025, in Pembroke involving a police officer.
Magistrates imposed a total custodial sentence of 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, for the threats against Mr Sinclair. He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim, £640 prosecution costs, and a £154 surcharge.
For the racially aggravated harassment offence, Jones received a separate 12-week prison sentence, also suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently, together with £200 compensation.
The court was told the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, with magistrates noting the defendant had shown a “flagrant disregard for people” and had targeted the victim with serious threats.
A victim personal statement from Mr Sinclair was read to the court by the prosecutor.
The custodial sentences were suspended after the court heard Jones had not offended for some time, was employed, had children, and was assessed by probation as not presenting a high risk of harm or reoffending.
Crime
Man remanded in custody over Tenby assault allegations
A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing serious injuries to a woman in Tenby.
Lewis Thompson-Gill, aged 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, Worcestershire, is accused of assaulting a female on December 28, 2025, causing actual bodily harm.
He also faces a further charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in relation to the same incident.
The court heard the case during a mention hearing on Monday (Feb 23).
Thompson-Gill previously entered a not guilty plea to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge. A plea to the grievous bodily harm charge has not yet been recorded.
Magistrates remanded him in custody due to concerns he could commit further offences, cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, or interfere with witnesses.
The custody time limit in relation to the assault charge expires on March 9, while the limit for the grievous bodily harm allegation expires on April 13.
The case was adjourned for trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 2 at 2:00pm. The hearing is expected to last around two and a half hours.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been directed to serve the full case file on the defendant before the next hearing.
Crime
Eleven-year jail term for rape after judge finds victim ‘particularly vulnerable’
A MAN from Newport has been jailed for eleven years after being convicted of raping a woman who was asleep and physically vulnerable.
Yogesh Parmar, aged 35, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Feb 23) following a trial in which jurors heard harrowing details of the abuse suffered by the victim.
Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards said the complainant had been “particularly vulnerable” at the time of the attack because of her small physical stature and the fact she was asleep when the rape occurred.
The court heard Parmar placed heavy gym weights against the bedroom door to prevent the woman from leaving the room.
In her personal statement, the victim said that when she told Parmar his behaviour was harming her, he responded by telling her to “get used to it”.
It was also heard that he dismissed her distress by describing her as “hormonal” when she reacted to his pattern of abuse. The victim told the court she regarded Parmar as “a predator”.
In mitigation, defence counsel argued the complainant had “woken to him effectively having intercourse”.
Alongside the eleven-year custodial sentence for rape, Parmar was handed a 20-year restraining order. He also received a two-year concurrent sentence on a separate count of controlling and coercive behaviour.
Judge Richards told the defendant the offences represented a grave breach of trust and had caused lasting harm to the victim.
Parmar will serve his sentence in custody before being subject to restrictions upon release.
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