News
Pembrokeshire County Council leaders update, May 6th
Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Councillor David Simpson,
has provided a further coronavirus update for Wednesday, 6th May,
as follows:
‘We continue with lockdown and need to listen to the advice given.
‘I appreciate that over the last few months we have been faced with
very distressing news on a daily basis. Every day we see scenes and
hear updates from all over the world highlighting the human and
economic costs that this pandemic has enacted on us.
‘In Pembrokeshire we also hear of businesses being closed during
lockdown, people losing their lives and the way the pandemic has
affected us.
‘We could never have dreamt or imagined the unprecedented times
that we are in, and we could never have contemplated being under a
lockdown for such a duration
‘Normality now seems strange and I’m sure that some people will be
anxious about venturing out again. However, others will be very keen
to start returning to “normal life”.
‘I want to re-emphasise that we are still under lockdown and we are
not yet ready to start going out and about. We do need to be mindful
that undoing this hard work would be against government advice and
could impact on lives.
‘I’m also aware that what you see outside your window each day is
the same as it was back in early March. However, we need to be
prepared to slowly get back to normal again following all the expert
advice that will be given when that time comes.
‘This weekend we will be celebrating the 75 th Anniversary of VE day.
But remember, if you are going to celebrate you need to stay at home
and remember social distancing still applies – it is not the time for a
street party.
‘I want to highlight a point to you all about where we are now and
about taking time to evaluate and consider what to do next.
‘With Covid-19, we will need to slowly rebuild, grow confidence back
and support each other. Families, friends and communities will need
time to grow again. I can assure you that this will happen and we will
hopefully become stronger having reflected on what we have been
through.
‘In life, unfortunately, we are met with challenges and this has been a
huge challenge. I am very proud of the way everyone in
Pembrokeshire has reacted and worked together to ensure we get
through this.
‘I would again remind everyone that we still need to follow the rules. I
know that some people are arranging “street parties” this weekend.
But this is against the advice issued regarding gatherings and social
distancing still applies.
‘Everyone please be patient, stay calm and most of all consider how
your actions may affect or impact others.
‘Our care teams and health workers are toiling to keep our most
vulnerable safe; so please continue to play your part and stay at
home and stay safe.
‘I find it difficult to comprehend why anyone would disregard the
government advice. You would not walk into a burning house, so do
not risk catching this virus by ignoring the advice.
‘I urge you all to stay at home this weekend; the time to get back to
normal is coming but not yet. Do not undo all the hard work.
‘The following press release has been issued since my update
yesterday:
Stay Away Plea:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/visitors-urged-
not-to-come-to-pembrokeshire-over-bank-holiday
‘Public Health Wales is updating and adding to their resources
regularly. Please find all assets here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-
covid-19/coronavirus-resources/
‘Also, please keep an eye on our newsroom at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom
‘And to get daily email updates, log onto our website and sign into My
Account at:
https://myaccount.pembrokeshire.gov.uk
‘Don’t risk catching or spreading the virus, why risk it? Remember:
Stay Strong, Stay Safe and Stay at Home. Thank you.’
Useful links:
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/coronafeirws
https://phw.nhs.wales/
Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru – Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19)
– Cyngor hunan-ynysu
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-
19-list-of-guidance
Business
Thousands of homes in rural Wales gain from faster 4G boost
RURAL Wales is seeing a major upgrade in mobile connectivity, with faster 4G now live in several areas. Seven locations across North, South West, and West Wales are benefitting from new 4G mast upgrades funded by the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), aimed at closing the digital gap between rural and urban areas.
The upgrades, which went live on Thursday (Nov 14), bring improved 4G coverage to communities including Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Penmaenpool, Tabor, Snowdonia National Park, and Bontgoch. Local businesses, emergency services, and residents are expected to benefit from faster internet access, which supports daily communication, business opportunities, and economic growth.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Fast, reliable connectivity is essential for modern life and should be available from Cardiff to the remotest parts of Wales. Today’s upgrades bring us closer to making this a reality.”
SUPPORTING DIGITAL INCLUSION
As part of the rollout, Peter Kyle and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant visited Ebbw Vale to discuss digital inclusion with charity and industry leaders. They met with representatives at BGfm, a digital inclusion hub in Blaenau Gwent, to learn about how connectivity impacts daily life in Welsh communities.
Telecoms Minister Bryant said: “We are working tirelessly to make sure rural communities aren’t left behind online.
“These upgrades mean businesses can now operate without connectivity limitations, 999 services are better equipped to respond, and residents and tourists can stay connected across the Welsh countryside.”
ADDRESSING CONNECTIVITY GAPS
An estimated 1.5 million homes across the UK remain without internet access, limiting people’s ability to access essential services such as banking and healthcare. In addition to the SRN upgrades, the Chancellor has allocated over £500 million in next year’s budget for digital infrastructure expansion, targeting these underserved areas.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the importance of this investment, particularly for rural Wales, where fast, reliable internet can be transformative.
“Connectivity is critical for day-to-day life in rural areas – from supporting local businesses to ensuring emergency services are just a call away,” Stevens said.
The upgraded masts, previously limited to EE customers and emergency 999 calls, now serve a wider user base, bringing essential internet access to more people without requiring new infrastructure.
Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, said: “With the activation of five new SRN sites, Wales is seeing the tangible benefits of the Shared Rural Network, bringing crucial connectivity to rural communities.”
GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN REMOTE WALES
The improvements come alongside a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties, helping future-proof digital access in even the most isolated locations.
The latest upgrades mark another step in the Government’s mission to improve mobile coverage and close the connectivity gap across Wales, creating opportunities and supporting economic growth across rural communities.
News
Milford Haven man admits to downloading indecent images of children
A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced after admitting to downloading over 1,000 indecent images and videos of children, including highly explicit content involving young children. Gareth MacDonald, now 23, appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images and videos across various devices.
The court heard that police visited MacDonald’s home, which was the scene of protests after his arrest, last year following intelligence suggesting that child abuse images had been accessed there.
Officers spoke with MacDonald’s mother at the door before entering to conduct a search.
During the operation, two mobile phones, a tablet, a laptop, and two hard drives were seized.
MacDonald initially spoke to one of the officers privately, admitting to downloading the images and saying, “It’s me.” Later, in formal interviews, he revealed that he had grown “bored with legal pornography” roughly a year earlier, knowing that what he was doing was illegal but continuing regardless.
Prosecutor Emily Bennett informed the court that MacDonald’s devices held 15 Category A images, the most severe classification, 26 Category B images, and 960 Category C images. Some content depicted children as young as nine, and the most serious material involved pre-teen children in distressing situations.
Bennett also noted that MacDonald had briefly joined an online group where members self-identified as paedophiles, although he left without sharing any material. Cleaning software was also found on his devices.
Defense counsel Dan Griffiths acknowledged that MacDonald’s actions had crossed the custodial threshold, but argued that there was “a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.” He highlighted MacDonald’s cooperation with police and his willingness to comply with rehabilitation programmes.
Judge Geraint Walters, presiding over the sentencing, addressed MacDonald, saying, “For some considerable time, you have accessed this kind of imagery, fully aware of the harm it represents.” He acknowledged that MacDonald largely isolated himself and stayed at home, factors he considered in the sentencing.
MacDonald was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and participate in the Horizon programme. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.
News
Welsh teenager jailed for creating 3D-printed gun at home
A TEENAGER who assembled parts for a viable semi-automatic firearm using a 3D printer has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.
Owain Roberts, 19, purchased nuts, bolts, steel barrels, and metal rods online, constructing components of an FGC-9 gun with the aid of a 3D printer.
Detectives said that this case marks the first of its kind in Gwent, where Roberts admitted to manufacturing a firearm component. He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday (Nov 14).
In April, firearms officers executed warrants at two Newport addresses connected to Roberts. Seized items included a 3D printer, two laptops, six plastic reels, and parts for an FGC-9 firearm.
PC Tom Meazey, from Gwent Police’s East Serious Organised Crime team, stated: “Illegally-held firearms can lead to tragic consequences and devastate innocent people’s lives. To own a firearm, including a printable one, is illegal in the UK without a valid firearms certificate. Roberts’s reckless actions in buying items capable of manufacturing a firearm placed people at direct risk.”
This rare and complex investigation involved support from the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Roberts received a prison sentence of four years and nine months.
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