News

RNLI in Wales reveals coastal fatality figures during campaign launch

Published

10 years ago

July 9, 2015

Porthcawl RNLI volunteer Chris Page, rescued bodyboarder Jerome Kirby and RNLI volunteer Chris Missen.

COASTAL fatality figures released today (9 July) by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) show 19 people lost their lives around Wales’s coast last year – but over two-thirds (68%) didn’t even set out to enter the water.
The number of near-misses was even higher, with the RNLI’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards in Wales saving 84 lives in 2014.

The figures are revealed as the charity today launches its 2015 national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, warning people that our coastlines and waters can be dangerously unpredictable. The charity is releasing two hard-hitting campaign films, which will be shown in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from tomorrow (10 July).

In south Wales, Jerome Kirby who was plucked from the water in a dramatic rescue off Rest Bay in Porthcawl, launched the campaign by unveiling a tonne of water at Mermaid Quay, Cardiff. Jerome was caught out by a rip current while body-boarding and is now warning others about the unpredictable nature of the sea.

In Aberystwyth, RNLI lifeguards and volunteer RNLI crew joined forces to reveal the cubic metre of water on north promenade, to help people realise how heavy a relatively small volume of water is.

The five-year figures show an average of 18 people die around Wales’s coast each year. Of the 89 people who died over the past five years, over half (57%) were taking part in activities like walking, running, climbing and boating and were, therefore, unlikely to have intended to be in the water. Over the past five years, slips and falls while walking and running contributed to the most coastal deaths in Wales, accounting for 31% (28).

Swimming, jumping in and general leisure use accounted for 25% (22) of the coastal deaths in Wales over the five-year period; angling 8% (7), and commercial use 7% (6).

Men are far more prone to getting into danger at the coast than women – they accounted for almost three-quarters (74%) of the deaths over the five-year period.

The RNLI is aiming to halve the number of coastal deaths by 2024. The charity’s national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, is this year warning people – particularly adult men – to be aware of the dangers of the coastline, as well as the water itself.

In the Cardiff area the RNLI and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWRFS) are also running a joint ‘Get a taxi not our boat’ safety campaign encouraging people to find a safe journey home.

Then on Friday 17 July the team will hit St Mary Street in Cardiff city centre to promote the ‘Get a taxi not our boat’ message between 6pm and 9pm.

Those interested in finding out more about the dangers of the coast can visit the Respect the Water website and see for themselves at www.rnli.org/respectthewater or search #RespectTheWater on social media.

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

31 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

33 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

35 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.