News

St Florence land fraud woman jailed

Published

10 years ago

March 3, 2015

A WOMAN who fraudulently sold land in west Wales to unsuspecting holidaymakers was jailed for three years this afternoon (Feb 13).

Carolyn Jane Henderson, aged 50, pretended “for years and years” that land at two locations could be used for new homes, log cabins, caravans and tents.

But planning permission had not been granted and Henderson had not even bothered applying for any.

Swansea Crown Court heard how Henderson netted £159,000 before she was arrested. She was now bankrupt and there was no prospect of her paying back any of the money.

Henderson, more recently of Beynons Court, Tavernspite near Whitland, had admitted five offences of fraud by falsely representing between 2010 and 2011 that land for sale at Briar Paddock, St Florence, could be used for caravanning and camping.

The victims were David Harries, Diane Morgan, Paul Stewart, Glyn Coward and John Boswell.

Henderson also admitted possessing an article for use in fraud, a “document of truth” purportedly signed by a C Hastings.

She also admitted between 2005 and 2006 fraudulently obtaining a money order for £15,000 from Roland Evans by claiming that land at Hafod Wen, Llanteg, was suitable for planning permission and that if permission was not granted she would return the money.

Henderson also pleaded guilty to advertising land at Hafod Wen for sale while falsely claiming it was suitable for caravanning and camping.

During an earlier hearing, Henderson’s sister, Amanda Victoria Henderson, aged 42, of Hafod Wen, had denied four charges of fraud relating to land at Hafod Wen. The pleas were accepted and she was discharged after the judge had entered formal verdicts of not guilty.

Huw Rees, prosecuting, said Carolyn Henderson had lived at Hafod Wen with her sister but they had run into difficulties keeping up with mortgage repayments.

Carolyn Henderson began advertising for sale parcels of land at Hafod Wen, where the sisters had five acres of agricultural land, as suitable for caravans and tents. Buyers were duped by an offer by Henderson to buy back the land within three years should there be difficulty with planning issues.

Mr Rees said Henderson went on to carry out similar frauds at Briar Paddock, this time advertising the plots as suitable for houses or log cabins even though she didn’t even own the land.

Mr Rees said Henderson managed to achieve several sales, one alone for £25,000, before getting round to actually buying the land from Anne Marie Wilkinson for £53,000.

He said Henderson made £52,900 out of Hafod Wen and £94,500 from Briar Paddock.

Mr Rees said Henderson, apparently acting on behalf of Hafod Wen Organics, went on to commission a company to drill a water hole on land she owned at Wolves Newton, near Usk. But she refused to pay the £8,500 bill and, in an effort to avoid making payment, forged an invoice from another company in a bid to make it look as if they had carried out the work.

She admitted possessing an article in the use of fraud.

Mr Rees told a packed court room that Henderson’s previous convictions included one for the fraudulent importation of goods and for obtaining property by deception.

Her barrister, Nathanial Wade, said Henderson suffered from complex health issues, both physical and mental, and would find a prison sentence very difficult.

“Many people would like to see her punished, understandably so. She would like to repay them but cannot.

“She is now bankrupt and living in social housing. Hafod Wen has been sold or is about to be sold,” he added.

Judge Huw Davies said Henderson has been “cunning, bold, calculated and persistent” in her offending.

“You knew there was no prospect of getting planning permission because you had already had brushes with the planning authority.”

Judge Davies said many of Henderson’s victims had lost money they would not be able to replace.

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

7 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

7 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”