News

Trecwn businessman ‘robbed Peter to pay Paul’

Published

7 years ago

July 11, 2018

A TRECWN businessman who ‘robbed Peter to pay Paul’ but also his wife and aunt has been made the subject of a suspended prison sentence.

Matthew Andrew Creed, aged 50, transferred £166,000 without telling the bank he owed more than £300,000 too.

His main company, Pembrokeshire Estates Ltd., later went under and after Natwest had sold the firm’s properties the bank was still owed £222,400.

Creed, of Ordnance House, was convicted after a trial of four offences under the Insolvency Act.

They were of making transfers of £114,000 to Gwaun Developments and £8,000 to AAA Management Ltd., two of his other companies, £25,000 to Annette Marshall, his aunt, and £19,000 to Nicola Creed, his then wife.

The court heard that Pembrokeshire Estates suffered a fire at one of the firm’s properties. The firm received an insurance payout of £247,786 but Creed paid the money into a new Santander account Natwest were not aware of.

Creed secretly made the offending payments from that account leaving Pembrokeshire Estates in financial difficulties.

His barrister, Paul Hobson, said Creed had not spent the money on high living but in a desperate attempt to keep his businesses afloat.

He had always intended to repay mortgages taken out with Natwest and his dishonesty took place when both his businesses and his marriage were heading for the rocks.

Creed, he said, had been made bankrupt and had signed an agreement not to act as a company director before 2025.

Mr Hobson said Creed now had a job with an internet marketing company and earned £680 a month.

The Judge, Mr Recorder Peter Griffiths, told Creed he had robbed Peter to pay Paul and if he suspected he had spent creditors’ money because of personal greed he would be going to jail.

He told Creed, who arrived in court with a bag ready for jail, he had driven a coach and horses through the Insolvency Act but he accepted he had found himself in a desperate situation.

Creed was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work for the community.

He was also ordered to contribute £1,000 at the rate of £100 a month to the costs of his prosecution.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.