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Fijian father will return to work after immigration struggle

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Over the moon: Sam is delighted he can go back to work

A FORMER British Soldier, whose family life in Pembrokeshire was at risk after he was refused a citizenship visa by the Home Office, has been given a lifeline thanks to MP Stephen Crabb.

Sam Cataki, who is 36 and was born in Fiji, has been told that he can return to work.

He has previously served in the British Army for 12 years and was based at Colchester, Nottingham and Brawdy in 2007, before moving back to Neyland in 2014.

He is a father of two children, Mesake, 5, and Jared, 1, but was told that he could no longer work in the UK legally despite having lived and worked in the country since being recruited by the army age 20.

However, on Monday, MP Stephen Crabb released a statement saying: “After speaking with Sam on Friday (Jun 23), I briefed the Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis, and this morning (Jun 26) I was very pleased to hear from the Home Office that Sam is allowed to return to work, and that his application to remain in the United Kingdom is being treated with urgency.

“This is very good news for Sam, his family and the people of Neyland and who have shown strong support for him. Hopefully the whole matter will be resolved shortly.”

Sam plays rugby in Neyland and his team mates, friends and family have all come out in support of Sam by calling on the Home Office to grant his visa.

He has worked for Milford Haven Port Authority as a search team operative at Pembroke Dock port since November 2014 and he says he really enjoys his job. Sam’s wife Seini also works at a nearby nursing home.

Each time they apply for a citizenship visa they have to pay between £800 and £1200.

MP Crabb helped him when he returned to Pembrokeshire from North Yorkshire and Sam said that his wife has also been affected as her citizenship visa was rejected as well.

A petition was also set up in support of Sam and his family which already has nearly 30,000 signatures.

Mayor of Neyland, Cllr Simon Hancock said: “Sam is strongly supported by the community of Neyland. His service and loyalty to our country means he has earned British citizenship. He is a great asset to our town and we want the Home Office to recognize that.”

Speaking to the Herald, Sam said this was the second time that this had happened and that he was waiting for the outcome of his application which is open until December 23, but could be sorted before that time.

He added: “If I came illegally, I would say. But I came here in 2002 from Fiji when I was recruited to join the army.

“I served until I left in 2014 and before I left I applied for citizenship. One of the criteria is that you have to have been living here for five years.

“All I had was three points on my driving licence but I was told I couldn’t attend a speed awareness course because I had just come out of rehab after a knee operation.

“In February, I was told my application was void. I thought ‘how is my application inappropriate?’

“I am really grateful for the amount of support I have received over the last few days from the people of Neyland, Milford Haven and across Pembrokeshire, even from England. The support is tremendous, I can’t thank them enough.”

He went on to say: “I hope they change the way they do things. Being in the armed forces speaks for itself. If they can do it now, it will help those who are still in the forces.”

Crime

Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub

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Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an incident reported at Sands Nightclub in Saundersfoot in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).

An 18-year-old man was arrested after officers were called to the venue, which is a popular late-night spot in the seaside village. The allegation relates to events said to have taken place during the early hours of the morning.

Joshua Probert, aged 18, has since been charged with one count of rape. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 18).

The complainant is entitled to lifelong anonymity under law, and no further details about the allegation can be reported at this stage.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. Officers are understood to have carried out initial investigative work shortly after the report was made, including speaking to witnesses.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

  • Anyone affected by sexual assault or rape can contact the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line, run by Rape Crisis England & Wales, on 0808 500 2222. Calls are free and confidential.
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Local Government

Mayor visits Milford Haven Library Christmas event

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THE MAYOR of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott, paid a visit to Milford Haven Library on Tuesday morning to attend its festive Mince Pie and a Cuppa event.

The event brought together library staff and local residents, with the Mayor thanking staff for their work supporting the community throughout the year. During the visit, Cllr Elliott also spent time speaking with residents who had come along to the event or were visiting the library to borrow books.

Milford Haven Library is part of the Pembrokeshire Libraries service, which provides access to books, information, and community activities across the county.

The Mayor wished residents a Merry Christmas at the close of his visit.

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Crime

Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers

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A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been jailed for three years and six months.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced on Wednesday (Dec 16) at Swansea Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Campbell had been in a relationship with his partner, Miss Cox, for six years. On the night of the offence, he returned home highly intoxicated and became argumentative.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court, with the judge describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

Prosecutor Rieve Nesbitt-Marr told the court that Miss Cox advised Campbell to go upstairs and sleep off the alcohol. Instead, he began poking her and told her not to tell him what to do.

Campbell then launched what Miss Cox described as “a flurry of punches that rained down on her.”

Neighbours contacted police after hearing the disturbance. When officers arrived, they found a smashed bowl on the floor and Miss Cox lying on the sofa under a blanket, covering her face.

Body-worn camera footage played in court showed Campbell threatening officers, telling them: “I will turn this place into a f***ing murder scene.”

As officers attempted to separate the parties, PC Thomas placed her arm out to create distance. Campbell grabbed her wrist with force, an assault captured on body-worn video.

He then attacked PC Jones, climbing on top of him and punching him repeatedly, again recorded on police body-worn footage.

PC Thomas later attended Withybush Hospital, where she received four stitches under local anaesthetic. Miss Cox suffered severe facial bruising, with one eye swollen almost shut.

The court was told that Miss Cox’s ten-year-old daughter was upstairs at the property during the incident.

Campbell has 27 previous offences. In mitigation, the court heard that he accepted alcohol turned him into a different person, telling the court: “I’m an ugly person when I drink. I’m a different person when I’m sober.”

Sentencing Campbell, the judge said he knew better than anyone how alcohol affected him.

“You came home in a bad mood and almost predictively, you assaulted her,” the judge said.
“The noise and aggression was such that the neighbour called the police.”
“You gave her a bruise on her face that can only be described as a large shiner.”
“In short, you have injured three people. Your conduct was utterly pathetic, like an overgrown child.”

The judge also referred to Campbell’s violent history, describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

While acknowledging that Campbell had previously complied well with a suspended sentence after removing his own alcohol tag, the judge said custody was unavoidable.

Campbell was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.

Warning him about his future, the judge added: “If you carry on with this behaviour you will spend a lifetime in prison. The only person who can change this is you.”

The court also granted a restraining order for five years.

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