News
Nigerian men were stowaways in tanker headed for Milford Haven
IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS have detained four foreign nationals at a Pembrokeshire oil refinery jetty, who were discovered as stowaways in petrochemical tanker.
The ship had arrived at Valero Milford Haven, from Lagos, Nigeria, when they were handed over to Border Force by the captain.
The four men, all believed to be Nigerian nationals said they swam out to the stern of the Elka Glory whilst docked in Lagos, and hid inside the rudder compartment.
They were hitching a ride undiscovered for eight days until they got into trouble and made themselves known – much to the surprise of the crew – in Atlantic Ocean not too far from Portugal.
Their only preparation for the three week voyage was bottled water and a packet of biscuits.
There were, according to a source close to Valero, originally five stowaways – but the fate of one of the men is as yet unknown.
When the men had been at sea for eight days they were heard banging on the hull to be allowed inside the ship.
On arrival at Milford Haven on Thursday (Oct 26), the captain handed over the stowaways to the authorities.
This is not the first time Nigerian economic migrants have tried to climb onboard commercial vessels. In 2015, three stowaways were found in the container ship Petra, heading from Nigeria to JaxPort, Florida. They were spotted near the rudder after two weeks at sea by eagle eyed fishermen.
The Greek registered vessel, with a gross tonnage of 27,600, is currently heading south from Milford Haven, whilst the four stowaways remain in custody. It had been docked at Valero berth 7.
Crime
Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags
A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.
The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.
“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.
Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”
Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.
Crime
Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven
A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.
“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.
“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”
Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”
Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.
Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Goodwick driver fined for crashing into van and outbuilding
A 21-YEAR-OLD motorist has been sentenced for driving on a Pembrokeshire B road and colliding with a parked van and an outbuilding.
Luke Harvey was driving a blue Ford Fiesta along the B4313 at Llanychaer, near Fishguard, at around 11:30pm on May 16, with a male passenger in the car.
“A call was made to the police, reporting that he had hit a van as well as an outbuilding,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
“The people living at the property advised him to stay at the scene, but he insisted on going home. He managed to free his vehicle and drove off towards Fishguard.”
Police traced the car to an address in Fishguard and located Harvey. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, using a vehicle without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Magistrates fined Harvey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.
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