News

Paul’s pledge to end violent crime

Published

11 years ago

February 23, 2015

ON WEDNESDAY (Feb 11), ‘Paul’s Pledge’ was launched at the Lecture Theatre in Pembrokeshire College at 12.30pm. It is a campaign against violent crime in the Dyfed Powys Police Force area.

‘Paul’s Pledge’ is centred on Paul Pugh, who was a victim of alcohol-fuelled violent crime nearly eight years ago, and the story of his struggle. Paul agreed to have a short film made in order to tell his story to young people around Pembrokeshire. It aims to show the consequences of violent crime in regards to victims and offenders. People are able to show their pledge by wearing wristbands, using the hashtag #paulspledge on Twitter and signing an online pledge.

Paul Pugh suffered a near-fatal brain injury as a result of an alcohol-fuelled violent crime, which dramatically changed his life. Paul used to train once or twice a week, go running and swimming, but now three quarters of his time is taken up by private rehabilitation. The crime turned not just Paul’s, but his family’s life upside down too. Paul used to take his life for granted, he says in the video, but now he feels that he has a second chance. It would be a dream come true for him to be able to talk about his experience for a living as so many people have helped him, he would love to give something back.

Paul talks about the fact that he thinks violence stems from the individual but he feels that violent films influence people to behave violently in the video that will be shown around schools in Pembrokeshire. He also comments that alcohol plays a big part :”In the video, Ammonford’s Police Inspector Richard Oliver thanks Sergeant Theresa Ross for her hard work and bringing the idea for the DVD forward.”

He also says: “Paul is one of the most inspiring people and he is an example to us all on how to tackle adversary through determination and positive thinking.”

He talks about the police’s zero tolerance approach to violent crime. The video will make people aware of what can happen to the victim and their family, as well as the offender, as a result of violent crime. He urges the audience to know their limits when it comes to alcohol, and asks them to stop before it’s too late. It is important to walk away from conflict when you can.

Community

Milford Haven Carnival organisers appeal for help from residents

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN ROUND TABLE is asking residents in Hakin and Hubberston to help keep roads clear ahead of this Saturday’s Carnival Procession.

Organisers say the event is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with a large number of floats, lorries and support vehicles expected to make their way through Hakin before the procession begins at Waterloo Square.

Residents living along Gelliswick Road, Rectory Avenue, Glebelands and Picton Road, particularly near the junction with Observatory Avenue, are being asked to avoid double parking or parking on pavements where possible between around 11.45am and 1.00pm.

The route being used by the floats and support vehicles is shown on the map.

Some of the vehicles involved are large, and organisers say keeping the roads as clear as possible for the short period will help ensure the procession reaches Waterloo Square safely and on time.

Milford Haven Round Table said the carnival “belongs to the whole community” and thanked residents for their continued support.

They added: “Your understanding and cooperation, even for this short time, will make a huge difference and help make this year’s Carnival another fantastic day for our town.”

Residents are also being encouraged to share the message with friends, family and neighbours who live along the affected roads.

Crime

New Year’s Day drug-driver banned after police stop in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S EVE drive has resulted in a 12-month road ban after a motorist was found to be more than twice the legal cannabis limit.

Ridwan Rahman, 20, was stopped by police as he drove his Vauxhall Astra along Steynton Road, Milford Haven, on January 1.

“Police noted the car accelerating away from traffic lights in an erratic manner,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When officers asked the vehicle to stop, they smelt cannabis coming from inside.”

A blood test later showed Rahman had 5.2mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Rahman, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. He was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who disputed the prosecution’s claim that he had been driving erratically.

“He does not accept that he was driving in an erratic manner, nor that he accelerated away from the traffic lights,” she said.

“The officers told him he had been stopped because the vehicle’s registration plate light was not working.”

Rahman, of Carbon Close, Newport, was fined £323 and ordered to pay a £129 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Crime

Fishguard man jailed after breaching order banning contact with mother

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A FISHGUARD man has been jailed after breaching a restraining order which banned him from contacting his mother.

Steven O’Sullivan attended his mother’s home on June 22, despite the order having been imposed in November 2012. It prohibited him from having any direct or indirect contact with her.

“She felt she needed to phone the police because she was frightened of her son,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He had been dropped off at his mother’s property by a female, and his mother went upstairs to ring the police because he makes her feel vulnerable.”

When officers arrived, they found O’Sullivan inside an outbuilding, crouching beside an outside toilet.

“There have been a number of previous breaches, the most recent being on June 5,” continued Ms Vaughan. “Now we have yet another one on June 22.”

O’Sullivan, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, is currently on remand at Swansea Prison. He is also accused of stealing beer and food worth £45 from the Nisa store in Haverfordwest on June 21.

Representing him in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd said there had been no threats of violence when O’Sullivan went to his mother’s home.

“But the aggravating factor is his previous convictions,” he told the bench.

“He was particularly upset and had nowhere else to go. This was why he went to see his mother.”

Magistrates jailed O’Sullivan for eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on July 7 to enter a plea in relation to the alleged theft offence.