News
Pembrokeshire County Council Leader’s coronavirus update (Jan 15)
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Leader, Councillor David Simpson, has provided a further coronavirus update for Friday, January 15, as follows:
‘Welcome to my weekly update, I hope you are all well and staying safe
‘This week I want to reach out and thank everyone that has been adhering to the guidance to stay at home and exercise from your house.
‘I really do appreciate that these restrictions are affecting our lives but they are in place for a reason – to protect everyone one of us and to protect our NHS.
‘I’m aware of so many people that have not seen their family for months.
‘The vast majority of people are following the rules and it is important that is recognised.
‘The sacrifices we are all making is hard but necessary, so thank you for being considerate and staying safe
‘We are now all aware of how quickly the virus is spreading and the new strain is impacting far more on our lives than last year – so we all need to take extra care and look after ourselves.
‘Every day we all have to make a decision. Every day we have to decide whether our journeys are essential and necessary.
‘I want to remind everyone that it is not permitted to drive to an area to exercise – exercise should be done from home.
‘We are aware that some ‘hot spots’ are seeing high volume of people.
‘Remember, these locations will be there when we get out of lockdown for you to enjoy – now is not the time to visit.
‘If you need to go out, plan your journey to minimise the interaction with others to stop the spread of the virus.
‘The vaccine roll out is a leap forward, however, this will take time and we need to keep doing what is right for our families and communities.
‘Please keep up to date with our news and updates by visiting our website https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/resident or following us on Twitter and Facebook – our social media messages and articles will keep you updated.
‘I’m very pleased to see that more people are now linked up with the Authority through My Account and connecting with us through our social media sites – thank you.
‘On a personal note I want to conclude this week by saying a huge thank you to those of you who are working together to reduce the spread of the virus.
‘However, there are some people that are still not following the guidance. To those people I would say: Please ask yourselves some simple questions
Am I doing the right things?
Am I helping to fight this virus?
Can I do more to stop the virus spreading?
Remember
Stay at home
Work from home if you can
Wash Your Hands regularly
Wear a mask when required
‘If you have Covid symptoms then you need to be tested. Call 119 to arrange a test or go to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
‘Please everyone – stay safe, look after yourselves and stay home.’
‘
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/.
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