News

Healthy workplaces win top awards

Published

11 years ago

March 27, 2015

DEPUTY Health Minister Vaughan Gething presented awards to businesses and organisations who have increased physical activity in the workplace at a special event in Swansea on Thursday (Mar 12).

Employers gathered at the Liberty Stadium to show how they are helping their staff become more active and improve their health at the Healthy Working Wales awards.

Healthy Working Wales is a Welsh Government initiative, which aims to improve health in the workplace, prevent people being made ill at work. It also encourages the rehabilitation of people who become ill as a result of their work.

More than 2,400 organisations have received support and advice through the programme, supporting almost 31% of the working population of Wales.

Organisations receiving awards include Aberystwyth University, Hortech Limited, Morgan Sindall plc, Rhondda Housing Association, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Cwm Taf University Health Board.

Mr Gething said: “It is great to recognise companies and organisations, which are doing such a good job in helping their staff become more active and improving their health. Increasing physical activity can have benefits, including increased productivity. Employers involved in Healthy Working Wales have reported reductions in sickness absence by up to 30%.”

Sue Wing, principal public health practitioner, at Public Health Wales, said: “The workplace can have a positive affect on employees’ health and wellbeing as people spend around 60% of their waking hours at work. There are numerous opportunities to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity throughout the working day, including the commute to and from work. Public Health Wales and partners can provide advice about this to any employer in Wales.”

All employers in Wales can access free professional support and advice about any work and health issue at www.healthyworkingwales.com.

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

7 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.