News

Third time in jail for pensioner who keeps making nuisance 999 calls

Published

6 years ago

December 23, 2018

A 72-YEAR-OLD pensioner from Templeton will be spending Christmas behind bars. She was arrested after her dog bit a police officer who arrested her for making a multiple nuisance 999 calls.
Regular offender Ann Gateley of Little Chapel Hill, Cold Blow, pleaded guilty to owning a black Labrador which injured a police officer while being dangerously out of control on December 16.
Magistrates activated 10 weeks of Gateley’s suspended sentence and imposed a further 15 weeks in custody.
An order was made that her dog must be kept under control, and she was fined £440 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the officer, £85 court costs and a £115 surcharge.
This is not the first time the same pensioner has been locked up.
Last year Gateley, of Chapel Hill pleaded guilty to using a communications network to cause annoyance or needless anxiety at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
On Saturday, Jan 21, 2017, Gateley made several calls to the 999 and 101 telephone numbers. The prosecution said that ’11 calls were made in total from 9.20am until 4pm.’
She had committed similar offences in the past, which led to her serving 18 weeks in custody leading up to Christmas. During this time, her husband passed away.
Prosecuting, Sian Vaughan said: “The nature of the calls was that someone had taken money from her handbag and people were banging on her door.
“She has a history of similar offences going back for some considerable time.”
Jonathan Webb, who was defending Gateley, said that the defendant had a history of alcohol problems and was seeking help.
However, her probation officer, Julie Norman, said that Gateley had not co-operated with the guidance and support offered.
Mr Webb said: “She is telephoning the police and making complaints that there are people trying to get into her house, and that people are after her.
“When she drinks, she gets this impulse, but does not know why.”
Gateley was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £65 in court costs and a £115 surcharge.
In 2015 Gateley was sent to prison on for breaching a suspended sentence by once again making nuisance phone calls to the police.
The then 69-year-old has been given many warnings in the past for wasting police time by making 999 phone calls while drunk.
After many “final warnings”, Gateley was issued a suspended sentence on April 7.
On September 15, she reappeared in Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court facing four charges of persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety between July 3 and 11.
Gateley was told that she would be going to prison on the day if she pleaded guilty, and so she pleaded not guilty.
However, on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 , she entered no plea and Magistrates activated her 12-week-long prison sentence. On top of that she will serve a further 12 weeks for the offences in July.
Upon release, she will have to pay a £150 criminal court charge and an £80 victim surcharge.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.