News
81-year-old pensioner who was kept in custody over 999 calls now granted bail
AN 81-YEAR-OLD lady, who had been remanded in custody until her trial in July, has now been granted bail.
Appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court via video link from Swansea Prison on Tuesday, June 25, Beryl Billington, of St Davids Road in Letterston, maintained her not guilty pleas.
Billington is charged with breaching a criminal behaviour order and failing to surrender to court at the correct time.
She had been due to appear in Court on the morning of June 18, but did not turn up and was brought to Court later that afternoon.
Magistrates decided to keep her in custody until her trial date on July 15 but an application was made for her to be given bail.
Prosecuting, Mr Vaughan Pritchard-Jones said: “It is the Prosecution’s application that she should be further remanded in custody.
“If she isn’t in custody she will not turn up. She has been before the court a number of times in the last 18 months and apart from one occasion she has had to be brought to the Court under a warrant.”
Arguing her case for bail, Peter Jones said: “Her record does not assist her, she is 81-years old but until 2014 she led a blameless life.
“She has been something of a nuisance but this is the first time she has been remanded in custody, she has been there for a week and I trust that she would not want to go back there again.”
Magistrates said they had listened very carefully to what had been said but added that they had noted she had a ‘very poor’ track record of complying with orders from the Court.
Speaking to the Magistrates about her time in prison, Billington said she had people helping her around and that she had good companionship with those who were helping her.
She went on to say that she was ‘ashamed’ of herself for ending up in prison adding that she needed help at home.
Magistrates then sought assurances that she would turn up for her trial on July 15 and Billington gave a ‘100% assurance’ that she would.
Billington was released on unconditional bail.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
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
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
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.
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