A PEMBROKE Dock man has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting assaulting his former partner and his young son.

Paul Griffiths, aged 40, of Stranraer Road, Pennar, appeared for sentence this week after pleading guilty to offences arising from two separate incidents.

The court heard that, on April 16, 2022, Griffiths assaulted his former partner during an argument concerning their child.

During the dispute, he either pushed or threw a chair, which struck her leg and caused bruising.

A second incident took place on March 13, 2026, during an argument between Griffiths and his son.

The court heard that another adult intervened and told the pair to stop arguing. After the child may have thrown a teddy bear at him, Griffiths grabbed his son by the neck with both hands.

The adult stepped in and pushed Griffiths away from the child. The boy was left with reddening to his neck.

‘Utterly ashamed’

Sentencing Griffiths, the judge described the offences as “appalling”.

“You should be utterly ashamed of yourself,” the judge told him. “You assaulted your partner and your own son. You’ve lost your good character.”

For the assault on his former partner, which was classified as actual bodily harm, the judge found the offence to be of medium culpability and imposed a sentence of 24 weeks’ imprisonment.

A further eight weeks’ imprisonment was imposed for the assault on his son.

Griffiths was sentenced to a total of 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

He was also made subject to a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched by Cariad Pet Therapy.

The volunteer-led Crisis Response Dogs project aims to provide comfort, emotional support and compassionate human contact to people experiencing distress, loss or heightened stress.

The dogs and their trained handlers will be able to support people in hospitals, schools, emergency response settings, wellbeing events, relief centres and community support environments.

Cariad Pet Therapy says the project is designed to offer a calm and non-judgmental presence at times when people may be struggling to cope.

Volunteers involved in the scheme have undertaken a bespoke training programme, including accredited Mental Health First Aid, Emotional First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Dog Welfare, Crisis Awareness, and training in psychological responses to trauma and distress.

The project is also working with emergency management and resilience partners, including the South Wales Local Resilience Forum, to support communities during emergencies, major incidents and recovery situations.

As part of its development, volunteers have attended specialist seminars on suicide prevention, the human-animal relationship, emergency planning and resilience.

Robert Thomas, Crisis Response Dogs lead for the project, said: “We have already witnessed the incredible impact these dogs can have on people facing difficult moments.

“Sometimes a calm presence, a conversation, or simply the comfort of a dog can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

The project has received funding from The National Lottery.

For more information about Crisis Response Dogs, or to request a deployment, contact Robert Thomas on 01437 609985 or visit www.crisisresponsedogs.co.uk.

Crisis response dogs: Cariad Pet Therapy has launched a new project to support people during trauma, grief and distress across Wales (Pics: Cariad Pet Therapy).

ST DAVIDS’ Twr y Felin Hotel has celebrated ten years since opening its doors with a summer garden party for loyal guests, artists, partners, local supporters and friends of the hotel.

The event was held on Sunday, May 31, in the hotel’s landscaped grounds. Although Twr y Felin’s official opening took place in March 2017, the team marked the milestone with a relaxed outdoor celebration as summer arrived in St Davids.

Guests were welcomed with champagne before enjoying live music, drinks and afternoon tea-inspired canapés prepared by the award-winning Blas Restaurant team. The menu featured sweet and savoury bites made using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Local musician Rosey Cale provided live music during the afternoon, while guests enjoyed the hotel’s gardens and sculpture collection.

A highlight of the event was a speech from owner Keith Griffiths, who reflected on the hotel’s journey over the past decade and thanked staff, guests and the local community for their continued support.

Originally built in 1806 as a windmill, Twr y Felin has undergone many transformations throughout its history before reopening as Wales’ first contemporary art hotel.

Today, the hotel is home to more than 250 artworks, the 3 AA Rosette Blas Restaurant, Awen Spa, and 39 individually designed bedrooms, welcoming visitors from across the UK and beyond.

Keith Griffiths, Retreats Group founder and owner, said: “I am so pleased that Twr y Felin Hotel has grown from strength to strength over these ten years due to the incredibly hard work of our staff, loyalty of our guests and support of our community.

“I look forward to the continued success of Twr y Felin Hotel and its sister properties, Roch Castle, Penrhiw Priory and St Bride’s Spa Hotel, as we continue to develop the luxury hotel market of St Davids and Pembrokeshire.”

The anniversary garden party marked not only a celebration of the hotel’s achievements to date, but also an opportunity to look ahead to the future as Twr y Felin continues to evolve while remaining rooted in its heritage, art, hospitality and connection to Pembrokeshire.

Twr y Felin Hotel is a luxury contemporary art hotel in St Davids, set within a restored windmill. The hotel is known for its design-led interiors, curated artwork and coastal setting.

Guests can also dine at Blas Restaurant, which offers modern Welsh cuisine using seasonal local produce, and relax at Awen Spa, a private couples’ spa designed as a tranquil retreat.