Judge tells 20-year-old arsonist to “grow up” after dangerous outburst

A YOUNG man who set fire to his girlfriend’s clothes following a drunken argument was told by a judge to “grow up” after admitting arson.

Callum Rees, aged 20, had been living with his partner of four months at an address in Johnston when the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday (June 16).

Prosecutor Brian Simpson told Swansea Crown Court that Rees returned home shortly after midnight after drinking with friends. An argument quickly developed between the couple, prompting his partner to leave the property to allow tensions to ease.

When she later returned, the house was filled with smoke.

Mr Simpson said Rees had gathered a pile of his partner’s clothes inside the property and deliberately set them alight.

Police were called at around 1.20am. As officers attended the scene, they spotted Rees walking nearby and arrested him.

During interview, Rees told officers he had started the fire after an argument in which his partner refused to return his passport and wallet. He claimed he extinguished the flames himself after realising the seriousness of what he had done.

Rees, of St Peters Road, Johnston, pleaded guilty to arson.

Defence barrister Jon Tarrant said his client was of previous good character and had no prior convictions.

“Although a fire was started, it was small in scale and the defendant stamped it out almost immediately,” he said.

Sentencing Rees, Paul Thomas KC was highly critical of his behaviour.

“He’s 20 years old but acting like a 14-year-old,” the judge remarked.

Addressing Rees directly, Judge Thomas added: “What you did was spiteful, foolish, and potentially very dangerous. You are fortunate that your former partner no longer supports this prosecution.”

Support offered for safety training, qualifications and new entrants to the industry

FUNDING is now available across the UK to help fishing vessel crew improve their skills, safety knowledge and long-term career prospects.

Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, has confirmed that financial support can be accessed by people working on UK-registered fishing vessels, as well as those who are not yet in the industry but are considering a career at sea.

The funding is being made available through the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the four UK fisheries administrations. It is intended to support training that goes beyond the minimum legal requirements, helping to raise standards of safety and professionalism across the sector.

Training that may be supported includes refresher safety courses such as Sea Survival, Fire Fighting, First Aid and Safety Awareness. Funding may also be available for career development courses, including navigation, engineering and radio operation, for those working towards skipper certification.

Seafish says the scheme can also help people who want to enter the fishing industry for the first time, reducing barriers to entry while ensuring new recruits receive high-quality training.

Following completion of training, Seafish now issues digital certificates, allowing participants to access their qualifications more easily when required or store them electronically as part of a vessel’s safety documentation. The digital system removes the need for paper certificates and speeds up the process when proof of training is requested.

Digital certificates are also available free of charge, on request, to fishers who currently hold only paper copies of existing Seafish certificates.

Neil McAleese, Head of Industry Workforce Issues at Seafish, said the funding was aimed at strengthening both safety and skills within fishing communities.

He said the scheme gives people working at sea the opportunity to refresh essential safety knowledge, develop new skills and progress their careers, while also encouraging those considering the industry to take their first steps.

Seafish works with a network of approved training providers across the UK who can advise on course availability, eligibility and funding applications. Levels of support may vary by region, and applicants are encouraged to seek guidance on what funding is available in their area.

Funding is currently available until Monday, March 31, 2026. Full details and application information can be found on the Seafish website under funding support for training in the fishing industry.

UP TO £1.85 million in funding is now available to support Wales’ marine, fisheries and aquaculture sectors through the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme, the Welsh Government has announced.

The scheme is designed to promote sustainable growth across the fisheries and aquaculture industry while helping coastal communities to prosper. The application window opens today (Wednesday, January 7) and will remain open for 12 weeks, closing on March 31.

A wide range of projects can be supported under 11 separate funding categories. Eligible activities include improving aquaculture sites, investing in equipment on vessels to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency, and securing professional advice on issues such as environmental sustainability, business development and marketing.

Applicants may also seek funding for optional health and safety equipment on board vessels or at land-based sites.

In the previous funding round, grants were awarded for harbour infrastructure improvements, marine research projects, fishers’ health and wellbeing initiatives, and new processing equipment. Smaller items such as ice machines, ice flakers, weighing scales and cool boxes were also funded.

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said the sector played a vital role in Wales’ economy and future food security.

“Our aquaculture, marine and fisheries sector brings many important benefits,” he said. “It provides a low carbon, high-quality protein food source, supports future food security, and delivers high-skilled jobs.

“This scheme is designed to create opportunities within the marine environment, coastal communities and sustainable seafood across the whole supply chain, from production to processing and marketing.

“I would encourage those with an interest to make use of the funding to pursue growth, diversification and innovation.”

Jim Evans MBE, of the Welsh Fishermen’s Association, said the scheme had already proved transformative.

“In the previous round, fishermen and women in Wales were able to access funding with free end-to-end guidance and support provided by the Wales Animateur Pilot,” he said. “The fund has been transformative for individual fishermen, women and seafood businesses throughout Wales.

“There is already significant interest in future rounds, including vessel improvements, non-mandatory safety equipment, adding value, energy efficiencies and health, safety and wellbeing initiatives. I would encourage all fishing, aquaculture and seafood businesses in Wales to contact the Animateurs for support with project and business ideas.”

Applicants must be registered with Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online, where application and claims processes are managed.

Free, independent support is available through the Welsh Fisheries Animateur Pilot, funded by the Welsh Government in collaboration with the Welsh Fishermen’s Association. Applicants can contact the Fisheries Animateur on 01736 362782, by text on 07864 087119, or by email at [email protected].