News

Legal high user now ‘a much better person’

Published

9 years ago

August 7, 2015

PAUL QUINN of Wesley Court in Pembroke Dock pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jul 21).

Lesley Harbon, prosecuting, told the court that the police were on duty at a treatment room in Withybush on June 17 at around 6pm. Quinn was there for mental health reasons and it was decided that he no longer needed to stay there.

“The defendant picked up some tissues and stuffed them in his mouth,” said Ms Harbon, “He then took a deep breath. The officer ran towards him and pushed at his pressure points, saying ‘Spit it out!’ The defendant continued to try and swallow, so the officer had to slap him on the back several times.”

38-year-old Quinn from Wesley Court in Pembroke Dock is then alleged to have pushed the officer back and punched him in the chest before he was restrained.

Ms Harbon explained that the injuries that the officer received (a small graze to the inner elbow) were not consistent with a punch and the defendant says that he did assault the police officer but not in the manner described.

“This was a very sorry time in Mr Quinn’s life,” said Mike Kelleher, defending him, “His brother and best friend has both died of a legal high overdose and he himself was rescued by police in bed, and was only one of three who survived. He took this extremely badly.”

Mr Kelleher explained that his client was arrested under the provisions of a mental health act and said “he exhibited some quite bizarre behaviour at the hospital.” He said that Quinn wished to apologise to the officer and thank him for saving him.

“This was not the act of a well person,” he added, “He is an entirely different person today than the one I saw at the police station when he was in a bad state. He has been prescribed medication by the doctors after the incident, but it didn’t agree with him and he feels that it resulted in this event. Since, he has stopped taking it entirely and you can see simply by looking at him that he is a much better person now.”

Magistrates fined Quinn £75 and ordered that he paid a further £75 in compensation to the officer. The bench said: “Hopefully you’ve now recovered from your problems and we won’t see you again.” Quinn will also have to pay a £20 victim surcharge, £85 in prosecution costs and a £150 criminal court charge.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

9 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

16 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

17 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.