News

Haverfordwest: Ten years in jail for causing brain damage to baby

Published

7 years ago

August 12, 2019

Stephen Carl Smith, 29, of Townhill, Swansea, but previously of Pembrokeshire, has today (Aug 12) been jailed for 10 years at Swansea Crown Court for causing catastrophic brain damage to a baby.

Smith, who at the time of the offence lived in Hywel Road, Haverfordwest, had denied causing GBH with intent on August 18, 2016.

Following a trial in April, in which the expert opinion of a consultant paediatrician called upon, Smith was found guilty.

A jury decided he had shaken her and he was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Bayleigh-Lee suffered a bleed to her brain and is now virtually blind.

Smith still maintained he was innocent and refused to apologise.

Judge Peter Heywood said Smith had lost his temper when Bayleigh-Lee was crying.

A momentary loss of control had led to tragic consequences and permanent disability for the baby.

“The results were catastrophic and life changing,” he added.

The jury heard how Smith and Mr Taylor had been friends and Smith would sometimes help out Mr Taylor, a self employed delivery driver.

On August 18, 2016, they asked Smith to babysit while they fished off Milford Haven pier.

During the night Smith sent them a text message saying Bayleigh-Lee was having breathing difficulties.

When they arrived home Bayleigh-Lee was sitting in a chair and appeared to be asleep.

While Miss Reed was in the kitchen the baby let out ‘a piercing scream.’

Miss Reed picked her up to find her limp and lifeless.

The child was taken to Glangwili Hospital and then the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where doctors found there had been bleeding to the brain.

“She will need medical care for the rest of her life,” said Judge Heywood. “Something went disastrously wrong that evening.”

He said that while he could accept an expert’s opinion that the brain damage could have been caused by a momentary loss of control by someone who did not intend to harm the baby, he had to also bear in mind the terrible consequences.

John Hipkin, the barrister representing Smith, told the judge that all he could say on his behalf was that he had not offended in a similar way before.

An NSPCC Cymru/Wales spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Smith was responsible for protecting baby Bayleigh-lee but abandoned that duty of care and inflicted catastrophic injuries on her.

“Babies and young children are completely dependent upon the adults who care for them and it is vital that anyone worried about a child’s welfare raises concerns as it could save them from serious harm.

“The NSPCC offers help and support to parents via our website – nspcc.org.uk – and our helpline on 0808 800 5000.”

Education

Welsh-medium provision to be expanded in some urban areas of Carmarthenshire

Published

12 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH has welcomed Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to expand Welsh-medium education provision in some of the county’s urban areas.

The Council’s Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee approved a recommendation to consult on making a regulated change to Welsh-language provision in the following primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The decision will go before the Cabinet on Monday (29/06/2026) for final approval.

A spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Carmarthenshire Region said: “We are very pleased that the Council intends to expand Welsh-medium education provision in these schools, moving closer to the goal of ensuring that no pupil is deprived of the ability to work and communicate confidently in both languages.

“We particularly welcome the changes at the large urban school, Ysgol Bro Banw. However, we seek clarification regarding the decision to introduce bilingual provision at the school, rather than converting it into a fully Welsh-medium school. Research shows that Welsh-medium education is the only way to ensure bilingualism among young people.

“It is worth noting that there are seven bilingual primary schools in the county, in addition to those mentioned in the report, and several of these provide only Welsh-medium education during the Foundation Phase. We therefore encourage the Council to continue the work of converting all these bilingual schools into Welsh-medium schools and to address gaps in Welsh-medium education provision in areas such as the south-west of the county and the town of Carmarthen as well.

“At the same time, we are disappointed that the Council is removing Welsh-medium education from our rural communities. Although they are increasing capacity in St Clears, they are simultaneously losing Welsh-medium capacity in the area through their plans to close Ysgol Meidrim. We therefore call for a new and sustainable strategy for rural education.”

The spokesperson added: “We look forward to the Council’s next announcement, when the names of four additional schools will be revealed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that we have to wait until the autumn for that announcement. We respectfully ask the Council to accelerate the process in order to prevent the ongoing injustice whereby pupils are being deprived of the ability to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English.”

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Business

Main Street Music to close retail shop as owner focuses on handmade guitars

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Pembrokeshire music shop is changing the way it operates, with Main Street Music confirming it will no longer trade as a retail shop from September 1.

The business said there will be an immediate 15% sale on all stock, but stressed that Main Street Music is not disappearing completely.

The owner said the decision had been made “with a heavy heart”, adding that the shop’s closure as a retail outlet would be a loss for Pembrokeshire as the county’s last professional guitar dealership.

He said his long-term passion had always been making musical instruments, something he had done since his teenage years, later receiving scholarships and a fellowship for his studies.

After college, he was given the opportunity to buy the business at the age of 24.

He said: “I have had an amazing time running this shop, giving it everything I’ve got, met some wonderful people and sold some incredible guitars.”

Although the business itself remains successful, he said tighter retail margins, dealership pressures and rising costs had made it difficult to grow in a way that would allow him to employ others and spend more time in the workshop.

The shop will eventually reopen as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

Current repair work will continue on a case-by-case basis by appointment only.

Main Street Music thanked customers for their support over recent years, saying the owner was proud of where the shop had been taken.

Caption:

Main Street Music will close as a retail shop from September 1, but will continue as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.