News
Public urged avoid Preseli Hills as further snow is forecast
THE NATIONAL PARK, Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council are urging people to stay home and avoid travelling to the Preseli Hills with more snow forecast in the coming days.
The current Alert Level 4 restrictions in Wales require people to stay at home and not to travel without reasonable excuse. Exercise should begin and end at home and you must not drive to a location away from home for this purpose, unless you need to due to specific health or mobility issues.
National Park Authority North Area Ranger, Richard Vaughan said: “Already this year hundreds of people have headed to Preselis after a period of snow. Despite the fact they should not have been there in the first place, people were trespassing on private land including fields where livestock is present and leaving litter behind for somebody else to clean up.
“There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the snow on the Preselis once restrictions are lifted, but for now please stay home and protect each other, the emergency services and our farming communities.”
Superintendent of Pembrokeshire Division, Anthony Evans added: “We understand that this is a very difficult time for everyone, and that beauty spots such as the Preseli Hills are particularly tempting, especially with the forecast of snow. But there is very good reason for the level four restrictions and the requirement to stay at home.
“It’s been disappointing for officers carrying out high-visibility patrols in areas such as this, when they’ve seen scenes where hundreds of vehicles are present, and some had travelled considerable distances too. I must emphasise that everyone has a personal responsibility to adhere to Welsh Government essential travel lockdown restrictions at this time due to the risks posed. Where engagement with people fails, fixed penalty notices have and will be issued to blatant breaches.”
Cllr Phil Baker, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “Travelling to the Preseli Hills or anywhere else following snow fall is not essential travel, no matter how tempting. Driving in slippery conditions also makes the chances of being involving in an accident far greater at a time when our health services are already stretched.
“During snow and icy conditions our Winter Maintenance teams will be out gritting roads and inconsiderate parking also makes it far more difficult for them to carry out their important work.
“Please take responsibility for keeping yourself and your family safe by staying home and not putting others at risk should you break down or require rescue.”
For full details of what you can and can’t do under the Welsh Government’s Alert Level 4 restrictions please visit https://gov.wales/alert-level-4.
For the latest covid-19 service updates from the National Park Authority visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/coronavirus.
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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