News
Five shouts in seven days for Angle Lifeboat Station
VOLUNTEER crew at Angle Lifeboat Station had a busy week with five shouts in seven days, and three of those shouts took place within twenty-four hours.
The crews were paged shortly before 9am on the morning of Monday 29 July which turned out to be the first of five shouts in the next seven days. The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch to a 30-foot fishing vessel, with two crew aboard, that had fouled their propeller off Great Castle Head near Dale.
Angle’s lifeboat arrived on scene and once a tow was rigged the fishing vessel crew managed to release themselves from the obstruction, but the propeller was still fouled.
The casualty was towed to Neyland Marina where they were safely berth alongside their berth an hour and half later.
As the crews were rehousing the lifeboat shortly after 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon (July 30) after spending a day afloat carrying out training assessments with new crew members, a PanPan from a motor cruiser was received and the lifeboat was requested to launch. The 30 foot vessel had lost engine power off South Hook LNG Terminal jetty, the owner had deployed his anchor, but it wasn’t holding, and the vessel was drifting towards the jetty. As the lifeboat was proceeding to the casualty, and the anchor was now holding, a tow was rigged and the lifeboat proceeded to tow the motor cruiser away from the jetty towards Milford Marina.
Whilst heading up towards Milford Marina the owner managed to get the engine going and was happy enough to motor itself to its mooring upriver, so the tow was realised and the lifeboat provided an escort as far as Neyland and then returned to station.
Friday afternoon (August 3), shortly before 3pm, the crews were requested to launch to person in difficulty in the water off the entrance to Milford docks. As the lifeboat arrived on scene the person had managed to make their way safely ashore, but their dinghy was still anchored some distance off the entrance. The casualty was taken back to their dinghy by the lifeboat where the anchor was recovered, and they made their way to the mackerel stage pontoon and the lifeboat returned to station.
Shortly after 2am, in the early hours of Saturday morning (Aug 3), the crews were woken up by their pagers alerting them to persons in the water off the Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal. Angle’s lifeboat launched and was proceeding at best speed to the area and once on scene it was confirmed that the persons had been recovered from the water. The lifeboat released and returned to station.
Just after 12pm on Saturday afternoon the lifeboat was launched to its fifth shout of the week to a 37 feet yacht with engine failure and some issues with their sails off Linney head. The yacht had two persons aboard, with one crew member suffering with sea sickness, and was continuing to sail towards Milford when the lifeboat arrived and scene.
A crew member was then transferred to the yacht from the lifeboat to assist the skipper in getting the sail stowed and a tow rigged. Once completed a course was set for Milford Marina.
At the Marina entrance the yacht was taken alongside the lifeboat and placed on the Mackerel Stage pontoon. Once secured, the lifeboat was released and returned to station some two hours after launching.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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