News

Whitewell Caravan Park plans signed off

Published

11 years ago

May 1, 2015

WHITEWELLCARAVAN DEVELOPMENT of the Whitewell Caravan Park will take place following a debate over the signage of the park at a meeting on Wednesday (Apr 15).

Cllr Michael Williams said the current signs were unpleasant and added that a condition to amend the signs should be included as part of a number of conditions on the application.

Cllr Bob Kilmister said that he felt uneasy about imposing the condition and when it was put to a vote, members did not support the addition of a signage condition.

The National Park’s Development Management Committee considered plans for the Caravan Park in Penally, Tenby, where the applicant has applied to change the use of one his fields to provide 17 static pitches, 16 touring pitches and ten tent pitches to replace the existing provision.

There have been problems with the site in the past as campers have been allowed to camp on a field adjacent to the proposed site and an enforcement notice had been issued in relation to this matter.

The agent also told his client that this was not acceptable and told the committee that the application was made to rectify the problems.

A neighbour to the site, Mr Joseph, urged the committee to accept the plans saying that the development would solve the issues that neighbours had.

He said: “Both myself and my family have experienced disruption and a loss of amenity due to unlicensed camping taking place in the field opposite our property. When we brought the property we expected some disruption from neighbours and the manner in which the applicant has sought to increase the intensity of the business through unauthorised development over six years has created an imbalanced situation which has adversely affected us. If approved, this application will hopefully remedy these issues. We’re surrounded by land owned by the park and we have a tolerable level of disruption from the existing developments. This proposal offers a balance in that it allows the business to grow in a way that preserves the amenity for our household and will actually enhance the appearance of the area. Overall we support the application and it will solve our issues as neighbours.”

Agent Ken Morgan said: “I have advised my client very early that he had to address these issues concerning neighbours. He is trying to improve his park substantially in both the buildings and by the provision of more camping facilities. The standards of caravans that are now made in this country are far superior to the original ones. This gives the holiday park improved environmental aspects which is enjoyable for the tourists in the park as well as the wider environment. More importantly we can control what used to happen in the front two fields. I have said to my client no caravans in the left hand field. What we have come up with is a good compromise.”

Tenby Councillor Michael Williams said: “Departures do concern me but there are real planning gains to be made with this application. The key here is landscaping because this is critical to the success of this development. I have concerns about road signage and particularly in my view, it looks unpleasant. It has to be particularly well designed to suit the landscaping. I think it is very important that the conditions are complied with and they are enforced. The front two fields, this must never be allowed to happen again. I would like to complement the officer and architect for coming to an agreement on this site which will sort out some of the problems and it shows what can be achieved when architects and officers meet before and come to an agreement.”

Cllr Williams moved approval and also added that the signage should be looked at as part of the conditions.

Cllr Bob Kilmister disagreed saying: “I am really uneasy about that. I don’t think it’s a material part of this planning consideration and I think we are overstepping the mark.”

Cllr Tony Wilcox added: “The original sign has been up for some time and it has not attracted any complaints until today so it seems a bit harsh.”

The plans with Cllr Williams’ added condition of signage were then voted on but it was defeated by nine votes to six. The original recommendation was then put to the vote and that was approved unanimously.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

1 hour ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

8 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.