News
Woman stole money from grandparents
A MILFORD HAVEN woman was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work after stealing £1,324.12 from her grandparents at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Jodie Farrow, aged 24, of Charles Street, pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud and a charge of theft after stealing a considerable amount of money from her grandparents, Harold and Jeanette Evans.
Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “Jeanette and Harold Evans had received a bank statement from their joint account and noticed there was £1,000 missing. She then realised that her bank card and her cheque book were missing.
“After checking their two previous statements, they noticed that cheques had been paid and cash withdrawals had been made other than somebody by themselves. Farrow’s grandfather contacted the bank, and found that a cheque for £150 had been paid to Gary Phillips. They realised then that their granddaughter was likely to be responsible, as Mr Phillips is her landlord.
“Farrow’s grandmother had previously been in hospital and saw that transactions had been made around that time and at other times when it couldn’t have been them. They also remembered that when they received their pin number, Mrs Evans was unable to read it, therefore asked Farrow to read it to her.
In custody, Farrow said: “The cheque book is in my old bedroom at my nan’s house”. She had disposed of the card. She was asked to provide an explanation, she said that she didn’t realise she had made so many transactions. The total taken from her grandparent’s account was £1324.12, a combined sum from the cheques and card transactions”.
Defence solicitor, Michael Kelleher said: “It’s a very sad case for all concerned. Her grandfather won’t speak to her and her grandmother is very disappointed and she was previously of clean character. It’s not a sophisticated crime and it’s difficult for her to explain why she did it. There were small amounts of money she owed and it was a way of paying it off”.
A full probation report was prepared by probation officer, Julie Norman, who said: “Farrow has been fully co-operative, and up until September led a normal life. She lost her job and had no money, and her boyfriend was in custody, therefore she was left in the flat on her own. She had debts and it was too embarrassing to speak to her grandparents. She does occasional bar work and is currently actively looking for work”.
The chair of the bench told Farrow: “I’m grateful you have been co-operative, but the sad thing is if you had have spoken to them, they probably would have given the money to you”.
Farrow was given 200 hours unpaid work and has to pay compensation of £1324.12. Farrow also has to pay £85 cost and £60 victim surcharge, which will be deducted from her benefits at £5 per week.
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
News
Fresh questions over fire that ravaged Manorbier school
A senior Pembrokeshire councillor is to be quizzed on what progress has been made in recouping a £200,000 insurance excess paid by the council following the 2022 fire at a Manorbier school.
Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.
Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a “school from school” was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while “hot works” were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability had been accepted to date.
Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on the £200,000 insurance excess.
A submitted question, by Councillor Aled Thomas, to be heard at the full council meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on May 9, will ask Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham “to update the chamber on what progress the Cabinet have made in recouping the £200,000 insurance excess paid following the devastating non-fault fire at Manorbier school”.
Councillors have previously been told by Cllr Woodham: “The legal issues are not straightforward but will be robustly taken forward.
“At this stage it’s still subject to legal discussion. The excess will be covered by a fund the council holds for insurance excess.”
He said that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.
Crime
Dafydd Llywelyn retains his post as our local commissioner
THE result of the election for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election has been declared.
Plaid’s Dafydd Llywelyn retains his role as commissioner. He has held the role since 2016.
The result of the election is as follows:
- Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 7,719
- Ian Harrison 19,134 (Con)
- Dafydd Llywelyn 31,323 (Plaid)
- Philippa Thompson (Lab) 18,353
Before the election, Dafydd Llywelyn promised: “As your current Commissioner, operational, front-line policing has, and always will come before party politics. I have a strong track record of delivering on my promises and of listening to the communities of Dyfed Powys. I am proud of what I have achieved since 2016, but there is still so much to do.
“I am an approachable individual and I believe in listening to all members of the community in order to shape a successful police force.
“Since 2016, I have increased resources whilst also retaining the lowest council tax levels in Wales. During that time, we’ve seen:
150 more Police Officers;
- 150 more Police Staff;
- A CCTV system that is monitored 24/7 by police staff;
- A dedicated rural crime team;
- A focus on county lines drug dealing to target organised crime;
- Investment in Youth Offending Teams to divert young people away from crime;
- A new Offender Diversionary Scheme to reduce re-offending.
If re – elected:
- I will safeguard Neighbourhood Policing resources retaining a visible local policing presence;
- I will invest in the Communications Centre to ensure an accessible service;
- I will continue to put the victim at the heart of the service and develop a truly victim led service;
- I will work with operational staff to keep local police stations open;
- I will invest in a new and refreshed School Police programme to deliver early intervention and preventative work;
- I will prioritise working in partnership with organisations and agencies to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.
“Your safety is my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police Force remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”
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