A MILFORD HAVEN digger driver who hurled racist abuse at his female black neighbours on repeated occasions has been remanded in custody.

Body-worn footage captured by police officers following Ian Thomas’s arrest shows him asking the question, “Am I being done for beating up a black c***?”

Thomas, Hamilton Terrace, was brought before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being remanded in custody, following a spate of offences committed on May 4 and May 5.

“The victim and the defendant are neighbours who reside in the same block of flats,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.

“Initially, when the victim first moved in, there were no issues between them, but then he started coming home drunk, shouting, swearing, and banging on her door.”

On May 4 the victim heard Thomas returning home.

“He was clearly intoxicated and appeared to have wet himself,” continued Ms Jackson.

“He started banging on her door and then she heard him shouting ‘Black bastards’.  She knew it was him because she recognised his voice.”

The following day, the victim returned to her home after attending a church service. 

Once again Thomas subjected her to racial abuse.

“She had placed a black bin bag outside her flat and the defendant kicked it, causing it to split, with rubbish being strewn all over the hallway,” said Ms Jackson.

A victim impact statement was read out the court 

“This has left me feeling very scared,” said the victim. 

“I really don’t know what he would do if he had the chance, and since this happened, I haven’t left my flat.  The racist comments really hurt me and I’m really upset by it.”

Ms Jackson said that when police arrived at Thomas’ flat for questioning, he answered the door holding a knife which he was pointing downwards.  As a result, he was arrested.

“When he was taken into custody he told the officers that he had ‘black c***s’ as neighbours and asked why he was being arrested for beating up a black c***,” added Ms Jackson.

She informed magistrates that Thomas has 26 previous convictions for violence issues, public order offences and weapon offences. 

She said that Thomas is also alcohol dependent.

Thomas pleaded guilty to three charges – causing his victim to fear violence; using threatening words and behaviour and racially aggravated words, affray and causing criminal damage to the bin bag.

Sentencing was adjourned until May 21 and Thomas was remanded in custody, despite a request by his solicitor, Michael Kelleher, for him to be released on bail.

“Generally, he gets on fine with the victim,” he said.  “Unpleasant words were said that day, but they were not intentional. 

“He is not a racist but he was clearly under the influence.”

Thomas was remanded in Swansea Prison until his sentencing.

A VIP audience greeted Pembroke and District Male Voice Choristers when they took stage at Pembroke Town Hall at the invitation of the town’s Mayor, Councillor Aden Brinn.

The concert, in aid of the Mayor’s charities – the Welsh Guards charity and the VC Gallery – was very well supported and the choir were in fine harmony, guided by Musical Director Juliet Rossiter and Accompanist Carole Rees.

Guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Sharron Lusher, MBE, Stephen Crabb MP, Sam Kurtz MS, Councillor Tom Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, and County Council Leader Councillor David Simpson.

Two Welsh Guardsmen, in full ceremonial uniform, reflected the close connections between the Mayor and the town with the Regiment’s 1^st Battalion.

Busiest chorister on the night was MC Matthew John. To his reputation for jokes, which had preceded him, he added poetry and, in a surprise to colleagues, joined soloist Alyson Griffiths in a delightful duet. They sang a medley of musical and wartime songs, accompanied by Carole.

In Alyson’s solo spot she played on flute ‘Moonlight serenade’ and ‘A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’.

Audience wholeheartedly joined in ‘Men of Harlech’ and a medley of World War I songs and the choir’s 12 items were warmly received.

Choir and audience were thanked by the Mayor – this was the final fundraising event of his memorable year in office.

Next choir concert is on Friday May 10^th at Tabernacle Church, Pembroke, 7.30 pm in aid of Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders – a fully trained volunteer team who give their time to respond to life threatening calls in support of the Welsh Ambulance Service.

AN exhibition at Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre will conclude with an exciting farewell event, featuring renowned illustrator Jackie Morris and award-winning poet Mererid Hopwood.

The Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words exhibition has been on display since June 2023, captivating visitors of all ages and backgrounds with its vibrant illustrations and thought-provoking poems that explore the relationship between language and the living world.

Based on the award-winning book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, the touring exhibition, organised by Compton Verney, with Hamish Hamilton and Penguin Books, brought together, for the first time ever, the original artwork by Jackie Morris alongside the English language poems by Robert Macfarlane and Welsh language poems written by Mererid Hopwood.

With the exhibition now approaching its final weeks, the farewell event offers a unique opportunity to engage with two of the creators behind its magic, gaining insight into the creative processes that brought it to life.   

There will also be a chance to hear about Jackie’s latest project, with a preview of her work in progress for The Lost Birds.

Manager of Oriel y Parc, Rachel Perkins, said: “The success of the Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words exhibition has been truly remarkable, captivating audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

“It’s been wonderful to be a part of this experience, which seeks to reintroduce the fading faces of nature to our vocabularies. We hope that many have been inspired to join the fight to reverse their plight and look forward to welcoming them as we bid farewell to this memorable exhibition.”

The farewell to The Lost Words – Geiriau Diflanedig exhibition will take place at Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre on Saturday 25 May, between 2pm-3.30pm. Although the event is free, booking in advance at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events is essential due to limited capacity at the venue.

Further information about exhibitions and events at Oriel y Parc can be found at www.orielyparc.co.uk.