Carl Rago remains in custody after separate guilty plea to damaging police property

A CILGERRAN man accused of intentionally strangling a woman in Haverfordwest has been remanded in custody.

Carl Rago, 29, of Penffynnon, Cilgerran, Cardigan, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2) for a mention hearing.

The court register states that Rago is charged with intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on May 25.

No plea is recorded on the court register for that charge.

Rago has also indicated a guilty plea to a separate charge of criminal damage.

That offence relates to damage caused in Haverfordwest on June 7 to the inside of a police vehicle, described as a C30 Vauxhall van, and a Samsung mobile phone belonging to Dyfed-Powys Police.

The damage was valued at under £5,000.

Magistrates remanded Rago in custody after the hearing. The court register records the remand basis as including a likelihood of further offending, breach of bail, previous record and character, and the nature and seriousness of the offences.

The case was adjourned for a further mention hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 23.

Man admitted offences including £1,525 Haverfordwest theft and £7,664 Carmarthen theft

A MAN who admitted stealing thousands of pounds worth of electrical items from Currys stores, including branches in Haverfordwest and Carmarthen, has been remanded in custody after his sentencing was adjourned.

Ilia Patchkoria, 27, of no fixed abode, Bacup, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2) for a mention hearing.

He had previously indicated guilty pleas to eight theft charges involving Currys stores across Wales and the south west of England.

The court register states that Patchkoria stole electrical items worth £1,525 from Currys PC World in Haverfordwest on May 23.

On the same day, he also stole electrical items worth £7,664.78 from Currys PC World in Carmarthen.

Further offences involved thefts from Currys stores in Torquay, Barnstaple, Penzance, Plymouth and Truro between May 14 and May 18.

The total known value of the stolen goods is at least £17,459.46, with the value of the Truro offence listed as unknown.

Magistrates remanded Patchkoria in custody after the hearing. The court register records the remand basis as including a likelihood of further offending, failure to surrender, the nature and seriousness of the offences, breach of court orders, and the real prospect of a custodial sentence.

The case was adjourned for sentence at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 16.

Popular Saundersfoot pub closed its doors on Sunday after four years under current leaseholder

THE LEASEHOLD of a well-known Saundersfoot pub has attracted strong interest after the business closed suddenly at the weekend.

The Hean Castle Inn shut its doors on Sunday, June 28, after current leaseholder Suzannah Palmer announced she was stepping away from the business following four years at the helm.

Ms Palmer said the decision had been “heart-breaking”, but said months of financial pressure and personal circumstances meant she and her family could no longer continue.

The lease is now being offered for sale, with Ms Palmer confirming that she has already received 43 enquiries from people interested in taking over the pub.

She said: “We have been genuinely overwhelmed by the number of enquiries from people interested in taking over the lease at The Hean Castle Inn.

“This is an opportunity to acquire an established hospitality business in the heart of Saundersfoot, with a strong reputation built over the past four years.

“The sale includes the lease together with an agreed inventory of fixtures and fittings.

“We are looking for serious enquiries only, and sensible offers will be considered.”

Ms Palmer has clarified that the sale relates to the lease only, not the building itself.

Due to the level of interest already received, she said proof of funds will be required before any viewings or negotiations take place.

She added: “Once proof of funds has been received, I will happily discuss the opportunity and arrange a viewing.

“Until then, there will be no negotiations, no viewings and absolutely no further communication.”

The closure has prompted sadness among regulars and visitors, with many paying tribute to the pub and the work carried out by Ms Palmer and her family over the past four years.

In a message shared after the final shift, Ms Palmer said the decision to close had come after a difficult period.

She said: “I write this with tears in my eyes.

“Our last shift is done. It’s a bittersweet moment. The relief is real, but so is the sadness.

“The reality now is that we’ll be selling our lease, before emptying the building that we’ve loved, worked for and sacrificed so much to create.

“With our lovely George being unwell, alongside months of relentless financial pressure, I’m not going to pretend, I’m ready for a rest.”

She also urged people to continue supporting local independent hospitality businesses, warning that many pubs and restaurants are facing pressures that customers may not always see.

Ms Palmer said: “If there’s one thing I’d ask of everyone, it’s this: please continue to support your local pubs, restaurants and independent businesses.

“From the outside they may look busy, but very few people see the reality of the costs involved or how much it takes just to serve that one drink or one meal.

“Independent hospitality can only survive if people continue to support it.

“Your kindness over the past few days is something we’ll never forget. The Hean has been a huge part of our lives, and so have all of you.”

Anyone interested in the lease is asked to contact Ms Palmer by emailing [email protected] or calling 07395 292881.