News

Family brawl results in court case

Published

7 years ago

February 13, 2019

A 46-YEAR-OLD woman from Pembroke Dock was found guilty of assault following a trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 11).

Nadine Billington of Imble Street, had been accused of assaulting her ex-partner’s sister in June last year following an argument.

Prosecutor, Sian Vaughan, told the court: “The complaint was made on August 13. There is a history of family dynamics but we will try to stay away from that.”

Ms Vaughan explained there had been issue taken with the complainant after she bought a colouring book, crayons and chocolate for Billington’s son. She was also accused of smashing the complainant’s phone.

The complainant, Nicola Algeri, gave her evidence via video link to the magistrates.

She said: “My mum and myself were in the kitchen. My father was in the living room watching football. Nadine came in through the front door and I had a colouring book and crayons with me. I’d been downtown so I thought I’d bring them.

“She came into the kitchen and I said ‘there’s a colouring book and crayons there’, and she said ‘you might as well take them home with you’.

“She takes the crayons off me and slams them on top of the book. She threw the book first and it just missed my face, and then she threw the crayons at me but they didn’t hit me. It was quite a big book.

“She comes toward me and grabbed me by the throat, and she put her fingers down my throat. She had four fingers in my mouth. There was no need. It felt like she was going to strangle me. She was horrible and vicious.

“She cut my lip as well and scratched my arm. I wasn’t saying anything, I didn’t do anything, I didn’t provoke her. She just went off on one.

“She was just abusing me and being mouthy. My mother tried to split us up, and then my father came in and managed to get her out of the house.”

It was put to Nicola Algeri, that in her statement that she made on August 13, she claims that the colouring book hit her on the head but caused no injury.

Nicola claimed she could not remember.

When speaking of the assault, Nicola said: “She prised my mouth open and she had her bloody fingers down my throat.”

When asked why she didn’t bit down, she said: “I didn’t do nothing. I was scared.”

The court was shown a photograph of a bruise on Nicola’s arm following the incident, however there were no photographs of her mouth or her ‘cut lip’.

When asked why she didn’t take a photo of her lip, she said ‘no comment’, then later said she ‘didn’t have a camera to take a photo’.

Nicola’s mother, Ellen Algeri, took to the witness stand following her daughter’s cross-examination to give her account of what happened.

Mrs Algeri told the court that she saw a chocolate bar being thrown across the room and ‘hitting Nicola on the head’, however when she was pressed further, she said she couldn’t be sure it was a chocolate bar that was thrown, and she wasn’t entirely sure whether whatever was thrown did actually hit Nicola.

She also admitted she did not see Billington put her fingers inside Nicola’s mouth.

Albino Algeri, Nicola’s father, was next to speak to the magistrates. He said: “Nadine was trying to do as much damage as she could.”

When asked why he thought Billington would have her fingers down Nicola’s throat, he said: “That’s what I’d like to know! Why did she have her fingers down my daughter’s throat?”

He told the court that Nicola Algeri was crying following the incident, however was the only one to mention this during their evidence.

Finally, it was Nadine Billington’s turn to speak. She told the court that as she was leaving, Nicola Algeri said she had bought a gift for her son.

Billington suggested leaving the gift there, and said Nicola ‘became verbally aggressive’.

She said: “I chucked the book and crayons toward the bin. Nicola started shouting at me because she thought I threw it at her but I didn’t, I threw it diagonally. I threw it because she was being verbally aggressive.

“Nicola came around the table towards me so I pushed her away toward the sink. She looked very angry and aggressive. I thought she was going to hit me. I told her I had enough of the way she was talking to me and she was screaming and shouting, calling me names like slag and slut.

“Ellen Algeri followed me out and said that Nicola wasn’t right in the head and to ignore her. I didn’t strangle her, I just pushed her toward her neck away from me. I didn’t pull at her mouth, and I didn’t touch her phone. I didn’t even see it in her hand.”

After a short time deliberating, the magistrates at Haverfordwest Law Court felt there was a case to answer, and found Billington guilty of common assault.

Billington was handed a 12-month conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £600 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and £20 victim surcharge.

Farming

Plaid urged to move faster on farming reforms amid subsidy concerns

Published

10 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Welsh Conservatives accuse Plaid Cymru of failing farmers as ministers call for patience over changes to agricultural support

CONCERNS over the pace of farming reforms in Wales have intensified after the Welsh Conservatives accused the Welsh Government of failing to act quickly enough on promised changes to agricultural subsidy schemes.

The criticism comes after Welsh Government Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister, Llyr Gruffydd, urged farmers to be patient as major changes to support payments continue to be developed.

Speaking to ITV Wales, Mr Gruffydd acknowledged that “change is difficult” as the government seeks to reshape agricultural support across rural Wales. The comments come at a time of growing unease among parts of the farming community over the future of post-Brexit subsidy arrangements and concerns about financial pressures facing farms.

The reforms centre on replacing previous support systems with a new approach intended to balance food production, environmental sustainability and rural resilience. However, some farmers and unions have warned that uncertainty over payments and policy changes risks damaging confidence in the sector.

Reacting to the minister’s remarks, Welsh Conservative Shadow Farming Minister, Andrew RT Davies, said Plaid Cymru was not moving quickly enough to deliver on commitments made to Welsh farmers.

Mr Davies said: “Change is not difficult – contrary to Plaid Cymru separatists’ claims.

“If the will is there, there’s no reason reforms can’t be implemented immediately.

“Plaid Cymru separatists must fulfil their promises to Welsh farmers now.”

The comments reflect wider political tensions over the direction of farming policy in Wales, with opposition parties arguing that delays and uncertainty are creating anxiety for agricultural businesses already facing rising costs and economic pressures.

Farming remains a major part of the Welsh economy, particularly in rural counties such as Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, where many communities rely heavily on agriculture and associated industries.

The Welsh Government has previously said changes to support schemes are aimed at creating a more sustainable long-term future for farming, though ministers have acknowledged the transition period will take time and may prove challenging for some in the industry.

The debate over subsidy reform is likely to remain a key political battleground as the government finalises details of its future support model and seeks to reassure farmers concerned about their livelihoods.

Community

Milford paddling pool could close after rowdy adults seen throwing glass bottles

Published

10 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has warned that the town’s paddling pool could be drained and closed if anti-social behaviour continues.

The warning follows an incident today in which rowdy adults were reportedly drinking alcohol from glass bottles inside the pool enclosure and throwing a glass bottle around.

The council also said people were seen smoking cannabis just outside the gate.

In a statement, Milford Haven Town Council said the behaviour was “highly dangerous, irresponsible and inconsiderate” and “cannot and will not be tolerated”.

The council warned: “If this sort of behaviour continues we will have no choice but to consider draining and closing the pool.”

The paddling pool is run voluntarily by a dedicated group of councillors for the benefit of local families and visitors.

The council is now urging people to act responsibly so the facility can remain open and be enjoyed safely by everyone.

Business

WestJet’s first Toronto flight lands at Cardiff Airport

Published

11 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New seasonal service restores direct link between Wales and Canada after nearly 20 years

CARDIFF AIRPORT has welcomed the first WestJet flight from Toronto, marking the return of a direct air link between Wales and Canada for the first time in almost 20 years.

The inaugural service from Toronto Pearson International Airport landed at Cardiff on Saturday (May 23), officially launching a new transatlantic route between South Wales and North America.

Passengers on the first arrival were greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, while Penarth choir Criw Canu welcomed the crew and customers with Welsh songs at the aircraft steps.

The new route will operate four times a week using WestJet’s Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. Cardiff Airport said the service would open up new opportunities for tourism, business, investment and cultural links between Wales and Canada.

Toronto Pearson is also a major hub, offering onward connections to more than 100 destinations across Canada and the United States, including Calgary, Halifax, Vancouver and Florida.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price MS, attended the launch alongside guests including Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr Lis Burnett, Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith, Ontario’s Agent-General in London Sophia Arvanitis, Visit Wales and aviation industry partners.

Mr Price said: “WestJet’s inaugural flight from Cardiff to Toronto is a powerful signal to the world that our nation is open for business.

“Direct transatlantic connectivity like this is exactly what Welsh businesses need to reach new markets, attract investment and grow and it reinforces our ambition to make Wales one of the best-connected economies in the UK.

“Cardiff Airport is a vital piece of our economic infrastructure, and today’s milestone is something to celebrate.”

Jon Bridge, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Airport, described the launch as a landmark moment for the airport and for Wales.

He said: “The arrival of WestJet’s direct service gives customers easier access to Toronto and onward destinations across North America. It firmly strengthens Cardiff Airport’s position as the international gateway for Wales.

“We are proud to welcome WestJet and excited about the long-term potential of this partnership.”

Chris White-DeVries, WestJet Senior Manager Hub Strategy and Airport Affairs, said the route was an important addition to the airline’s transatlantic network.

He said: “WestJet’s new seasonal offering makes it easier for more people to discover everything South Wales and Canada have to offer, while staying closely connected to friends, family and business opportunities.

“Cardiff plays an important role in our growing transatlantic network, and we are proud to offer our guests from Wales more convenient access to Canada.”

The Cardiff to Toronto service departs Cardiff at 11:35am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Toronto to Cardiff flights depart at 10:10pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.