News

Llys Meddyg restaurant in Newport fined for falsely describing food

Published

5 years ago

December 22, 2020

LLYS MEDDYG restaurant in Newport has been fined a total of £2,100 for food safety offences, failing to display a food hygiene rating, and for falsely describing food.

Business operators Ed and Louise Sykes were fined £1,050 each.

Llys Meddyg had received a Food Hygiene Rating of ‘1’ following an inspection on 20th February 2019 by an Environmental Health Officer from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection Division.

But the court heard that on 4th September 2019, the officer visited the premises again, at the owners’ request, to carry out an inspection to ‘re-score’ the business and provide them with a new food hygiene rating.

On arrival, she saw that the current food hygiene rating sticker was hidden on an internal glass door behind a lantern. The company had already received verbal and written warnings, as well as a fine, for failing to display their score properly as required by law.

A subsequent inspection took place on September 30.

Although the standard of cleanliness was observed to be improved, there were still issues outstanding.

The business had a food safety management system in place designed to ensure that chilled food was cold enough and cooked thoroughly, and that cleaning was carried out, but there was inadequate evidence that staff were using it.

Flies were found crawling on equipment, surfaces and tables in all areas of the premises, attracted through an open door by a bin without a lid.

A vac packer had been used for packing both raw and cooked fish (separate vac packers should be used for raw and cooked foods) and a number of food safety controls described in writing had not been implemented.

Other aspects of the food preparation such as vac packing were not covered by the system at all, and access to the garden kitchen wash hand basin was blocked by a bin.

Bacon described as ‘local’ on the breakfast menu was labelled ‘Origin EEC’ and although it had been bought from a local butcher, it actually originated from outside Wales.

Food business operators Ed and Louise Sykes pleaded guilty to all offences, with the exception of falsely describing the bacon on the menu as ‘local’ and the case was heard by the District Judge Chris James at Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday 10th December. Despite the submission of some complex legal arguments by the defence solicitor, District Judge Chris James found both defendants guilty of that charge.

The District Judge accepted mitigation in that the business had taken steps to put things right, that they were of previous good character and commented that it was currently a difficult and unprecedented time for people working in the catering industry. He gave a third credit for the early guilty pleas. However, he said he had to have regard to the deterrent effect.

As well as the fine, costs of £5,000 were also awarded to the County Council.

After the case the Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Public Protection and Welsh Language, Cllr Cris Tomos, said: “This business was provided with several opportunities to rectify most of these matters, but they did not heed our advice or warnings and failed to attend interviews to which they were invited.

“It is hoped that in future they will take their obligations more seriously and act on any guidance or direction that they receive.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

31 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

36 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.