News

Editor vows to fight to get case dropped

Published

9 years ago

September 15, 2016

14249300_10157391074495405_2081410912_n THE EDITOR of The Pembrokeshire Herald is continuing his fight to get prosecution against him for naming a 17-year-old dropped. Thomas Sinclair, 37, of Hamilton Terrace, Miford Haven, is charged of one offence, contrary to Section 49 (1) and (3A) of the Children’s and Young Persons Act 1933, which is punishable by way of a fine.

In his latest representations to the CPS, the Editor affirmed that he considers the prosecution of this case conspicuously unfair and constitutes an “abuse of the Court’s process.”

Mr Sinclair says: “The agency which prosecuted the teenager in the original proceedings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court have themselves released sufficient material to identify the defendant, but face no action from the Court or CPS.”

In the four page document, Mr Sinclair has again written to the CPS requesting they review the case against him, in particular to satisfy themselves whether or not the public interest test was satisfied.

The latest court hearing, reported in last week’s Herald, was adjourned on September 8 so that the prosecution could consider their position.

District Judge Simon Morgan commented that the CPS “should decide whether they were going to take a sensible and pragmatic approach to the case.”

Representations to the CPS were prepared by top Cardiff barrister Matthew Paul of Civitas Law.

Mr Sinclair has again pointed out that Milford Haven Port Authority, which prosecuted the youth in the Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, ‘committed a clear and unambiguous breach of the law when it published details which led to the youth’s inevitable identification in any event.

“To be clear, Mr Sinclair does not consider that it would be in any way in the public interest to prosecute the Port. However, it is in these circumstances impossible to make a meaningful distinction between the public interest in prosecuting the Port Authority, and taking action against the Herald.

“What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, and the CPS should conclude that both offenders should be prosecuted, or neither.

“In Mr Sinclair’s submission, it is conspicuously unfair and an abuse of executive power to prosecute him for an offence which appears also to have been committed, with impunity, by the agency that prosecuted the youth in the first place.”

Speaking today (Sep 15) Mr Sinclair told The Herald that he emailed Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, to reaffirm that, contrary to the impression fostered in a competitor, he did not wish to see the Port prosecuted.

The issue remains one of consistent application of the rules and procedural fairness.

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

15 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

41 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

56 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.