News
Leisure centres and libraries to close
ALL Pembrokeshire County Council leisure centres and libraries will close at 3.15pm on Friday, 20th March until further notice.
The Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies ceased its front-line service at 5pm last night (Wednesday, 18th March).
At Scolton Manor, the Museum, Tea Room and Visitor Centre will close at 3.15pm on Friday, but the grounds and play areas will remain open.
The closures are as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the need to increase social distancing and the requirement to redeploy staff.
- Leisure
Leisure centre users have been reassured that all existing memberships will be frozen and no further deductions taken from direct debits during the closure period.
Club and pre-paid bookings / will be refunded or alternatively be moved to other suitable, future dates.
- Libraries
The libraries closure includes the Mobile Library service.
All existing items on loan from the library service will be extended for the period of closure.
There will be no need to return items during the closure period and there will not be any overdue fines for these items once normal service is resumed.
Library users can access ebooks, audio books, emagazines and ecomics online, 24-7 at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/
- Archives
The research room has closed until further notice.
However, the service will continue to respond to remote enquiries and correspondence, although responses may be delayed.
Archives users are encouraged to keep in contact via the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/
Paul Miller, the Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure & Culture, said: “I have today, based on the best advice available to me, agreed to the closure of the county’s libraries, leisure centres, and the Manor House museum at Scolton with effect from 3.15pm on Friday 20th March.
“In addition, I have also agreed to the closure of the archive search room from 5pm Wednesday 18th March.
“This has been done firstly to minimise the risk in relation to the spread of the coronavirus and secondly to enable us to release non-critical staff to support the Council’s wider response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“All leisure members will have their direct debits frozen (we will not collect payment for services that are not available) and these will resume when service is restored. For those customers who have paid for an annual membership, an extension to that membership in line with the closure period has been agreed. We will also refund any payments for bookings which will not now take place.
“These closures will be reviewed regularly and services will resume once the advice suggests it is safe to do so.
“We will continue to do all we can to keep our communities safe.”
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/.
-
News4 days ago
Police investigating after woman found dead on beach near Pennar
-
News4 days ago
Police discover body in search for Luke Stephenson, 19
-
News4 days ago
Councillors block Milford Haven boxing event – promoter to appeal
-
Crime5 days ago
Llandissilio man accused of making hundreds of child abuse images
-
News3 days ago
Beautiful, funny and lovely: Family pay tribute to Sian Batchelor
-
Business5 days ago
Lidl GB eyes Pembroke Dock for new larger supermarket
-
News5 days ago
Search efforts continue for missing teenager Luke Stephenson
-
Community7 days ago
Survey of Picton Castle reveals groundbreaking medieval architecture