News

Former police inspector subjected partner to a ‘sustained and bloody attack’

Published

5 years ago

April 1, 2021

A former police inspector subjected his partner to a sustained and bloody attack, repeatedly punching and kicking her before arming himself with a knife and striking her with it.

A drunk Paul Bonning was “frothing at the mouth” and screaming and shouting at the woman before dragging her off the sofa and assaulting her following a night out together.

The 54-year-old then told the bleeding woman not to go to bed as he did not want her blood on his white sheets, and warned her not to report the assault to the police as he knew people “high up” in the force.

Swansea Crown Court heard that prior to the attack Bonning had served 30 years with the Met Police in London and with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Ian Wright, prosecuting, said on the evening of Sunday, July 1, 2018 Bonning and his then partner had been out for the night before going back to the defendant’s home in Pembroke.

He said the defendant continued drinking alcohol as the couple sat on the sofa talking, with the former inspector consuming beer, wine, gin, and whisky.

However, Bonning suddenly lost his temper following a comment the woman made about taking a woman back to his address, and he began shouting and screaming at his partner.

The court heard the victim described how the defendant “lost it” and was “frothing at the mouth” before dragging her off the sofa and repeatedly kicking and punching her to the body.

Mr Wright said Bonning then retrieved a black-handled knife from the kitchen and brandished it at his partner and as the woman tried to leave the room he struck her on the back of the head, it is thought with the handle of the weapon.

The court heard the head wound began bleeding profusely, and Bonning told her she needed to go to hospital – but he then went to bed, telling her not to join him as he did not want blood on on his white sheets.

The following morning the defendant went to work – at the time he was working as an Asda delivery driver – and told his partner to lie to doctors about the injury, and say she had hurt herself by falling over.

After talking to a friend the victim went to Haverfordwest’s Withybush Hospital where she did what Bonning had told her to, and told staff she had been involved in an accident. However, when medics questioned her and saw the extent of the bruising on her body they suspected there had been a domestic violence incident and contacted police.

The court heard the woman suffered a 10cm cut to the top of her head along with bruising to the upper arms – bruising which “had the appearance of finger marks” – and bruises and tenderness to her back and shoulder.

Bonning gave a “no comment” interview to police, the woman did not make a complaint of an assault, and no further action was taken.

Mr Wright said following the attack the pair met on a local beach with Bonning telling the woman not to go to the police, telling her she was a bad liar, and adding “the police will suck it out of you – that is what they do”.

The prosecutor said Bonning was subsequently served with a domestic violence protection notice but once that expired the couple stayed in touch and, though there was no further physical violence in the relationship, the defendant was verbally abusive. The relationship finally ended in January 2019, and later that year the victim went to the police to report the earlier assault.

The court heard the woman told officers that Bonning had said he “knew people high up in the police force” and she had been concerned about the consequences of reporting an assault by a former officer, was worried nobody would believe her. She also said she felt the defendant had “emotionally blackmailed” her into saying nothing.

In a victim impact statement read to the court the woman said while the physical scars had healed, the emotional ones had not. She said she had felt too ashamed about what happened to ask her family for help, relives the attack every day, and has been left feeling “vulnerable, betrayed and worthless”.

Bonning, of East Back, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, had previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions.

Dean Pulling, for Bonning, said prior to the assault the defendant had 30 years “distinguished service” as a police officer in the Met and then Dyfed-Powys Police.

He said his client was, to use his own words, “almost burnt out” by the time he retired from policing, was suffering with stress and depression and potentially from post-traumatic stress disorder, and for the first time in his life had been drinking to excess.

The barrister said a pre-sentence report concluded Bonning posed a low risk of re-offending, and said beyond punishment a term of immediate custody would serve little or no benefit.

Recorder Ifan Wyn Lloyd Jones told the defendant domestic violence was a serious problem in society, and one which the courts took seriously.

He told Bonning he had subjected his partner to a sustained attack, and said a woman had suffered injury at his hands.

The recorder said the defendant had thrown away his good character but that he was satisfied Bonning was now remorseful for his actions, and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in in his case.

Giving the defendant credit for his guilty plea the recorder sentenced him to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete a rehabilitation course and a building better relationships course. The recorder also ordered Bonning to pay his victim £2,000 in compensation, and to pay £720 towards prosecution costs.

Community

Rescue bid planned for lambs stranded below Stack Rocks cliffs

Published

50 seconds ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Tree surgeon preparing 150ft descent after live firing delayed rescue attempt

A MAJOR rescue operation is being planned this afternoon to reach two lambs stranded below the cliffs at Stack Rocks.

Local tree surgeon Callum Jones is preparing to descend around 150ft using rigging and harnesses in a last-ditch attempt to bring the animals to safety.

The lambs, believed to be this year’s stock and less than 12 months old, have been stranded below the cliffs for more than 24 hours.

Their rescue has been complicated by live firing at Castlemartin Range during daylight hours. Concern had grown on Tuesday as the tide rose, but there have since been unconfirmed reports that the animals survived the night.

The Herald understands that firing at the range is due to finish at 4:30pm today (Wednesday, May 6), allowing the rescue attempt to go ahead.

Callum, of Mighty Oaks Tree Care, told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “It’s going to be difficult, but when you’re in this profession, every job is difficult in its individual way.

“My plan is to try and get my jeep down, as this will make it much easier to rig off the vehicle and get down the cliff.

“Obviously I’ll have multiple ropes to back myself up, and if all goes well, I’m hoping to use a haulage system to bring the lambs up.

“If I can’t get them inside a harness, then I’ll have to get them up in a ton bag.”

Callum will be supported by two members of his Mighty Oaks Tree Care team.

He added: “They’re exceptionally competent lads who are used to rigging up difficult things, so rescuing the lambs from Stack Rocks shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

“As soon as I found out about the lambs’ situation, I knew I had to do as much as possible to try and save them.

“Their plight has prompted so much concern throughout the county, and we’re determined to do everything we can to get them back to dry land.”

The coastguard has urged members of the public to stay back from the cliff edge and not to attempt to look down at the animals.

Meanwhile the RSPCA said they would not help. In a statement sent to The Herald they said: “We need to focus our dedicated frontline officers where they can help as many animals as possible, so we have made the difficult decision to cease our sea boat and rope rescue operations.

“These teams have done some amazing work over the years but the reality is we deploy these services very infrequently and they are very time and resource intensive.

“After careful consideration, we decided the considerable costs of training staff and maintaining equipment for this service, at a time when there are unprecedented demands on our services, can be better redeployed into other areas of our work.”

HM Coastguard attempted to rescue the animals on Tuesday (May 5), but were unable to complete the rescue due to live firing exercises.

The RNLI were also contacted.

Community

Firefighter experience days planned in Haverfordwest and Newtown

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hands-on sessions will give potential recruits a taste of life in the fire service

PEOPLE interested in becoming firefighters are being invited to take part in special Firefighter Experience Days being held by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service this June.

The events will take place at Haverfordwest Fire Station on Wednesday, June 3, and at Newtown Fire Station on Friday, June 5. Both sessions will run from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers almost two-thirds of Wales, says the days are designed to give people a practical introduction to life in the fire service in a relaxed and informal setting.

Around 75 per cent of the service’s fire stations are crewed entirely by on-call firefighters, who play a vital role in protecting communities across the region.

Visitors attending the experience days will have the opportunity to try on firefighting kit, learn how equipment is assembled, and take part in practical exercises alongside serving crews.

Firefighters from both stations will also be on hand to explain the realities of the role, answer questions, and offer guidance on the recruitment process.

Topics covered during the sessions will include the modern role of a firefighter, fitness requirements, personal protective equipment, career pathways within the service, and what applicants can expect during recruitment.

Booking is essential for anyone wishing to attend.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Lily Evans, Digital Marketing Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, by emailing [email protected].

News

Local Windsurf instructors ride the waves with Welsh Sailing Impact awards

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Local windsurfers who support the Windswept Watersports are riding the waves this month after being presented with their Welsh Sailing Impact Awards.

Volunteer instructors David Picker, Bob Jones, Leslie Burton and Graham Smith

have all been recognised for their commitment to encouraging the next

generation of windsurfers at the community watersports centre in Dale.

The dedicated team has played an essential role in supporting the Windswept

Warriors youth windsurfing club since its launch more than four years ago.

Sarah Bagley, Director of Windswept Watersports, said: “A huge congratulations go to

our windsurf volunteers on being chosen for Impact Awards – Bob, Leslie, Graham

and Dave have supported us so much by making our Windsurf Warrior sessions

happen every week, and they couldn’t deserve this more.

“They have made a huge impact in making the club what it is today and we’re able

to grow the club’s numbers and keep the costs down due to them giving up their

Sundays. Since the club started they’ve been so enthusiastic about inspiring

the next generation of windsurfers and their passion for the sport really is

Infectious.

“What’s more, the club has gone on to win medals at windsurfing national

championships and none of this would have happened without our superstar

volunteers.”

Windswept Watersports is a Not-For-Profit organisation which aims to make

activities accessible for all, including delivering outreach sessions to local schools,

youth and community groups, and running a variety of clubs encouraging local

people to enjoy getting on the water.

The Windswept Warriors group enables young people aged 10-19 to learn the

sport and take their skills to the next level, with Sunday morning sessions for just

£10 a go, including all equipment and tuition thanks to its volunteer instructors.

Impact Awardee Leslie said: “I didn’t start windsurfing until my late 30s so I really

love helping the juniors to progress. It’s great to see their confidence grow by just

having fun on, and in, the water. We just love sharing our sport with youngsters

and seeing the enjoyment they get from it, whether that’s improving and

progressing their skills or just having a go occasionally.”

Explaining their enthusiasm for giving back to the sport, fellow Impact Awardee

Graham said: “I’ve had some fantastic times and I’ve met some amazing people while

windsurfing and by volunteering I get the opportunity to give those chances to

others. I also love it when I see people progress and what it means to them.”

Award-winning team members Bob and Dave likewise sum up the satisfaction

and rewards of seeing young windsurfers progress from beginner to intermediate

to themselves becoming instructors.

Bob said: “I love coaching the junior club, seeing their progression week by week, especially those big ‘Hallelujah, I did it’ moments. I’m super proud to be a colleague of Windswept’s young instructors who were part of the junior crew not so far back.”

Welsh Sailing Impact Awards are presented by RYA Cymru Wales to recognise the

hard work of individuals and organisations who go the extra mile to support

activities afloat, in line with the governing body’s Together on our Waters strategy

to create a connected, inspired and inclusive sailing and boating community.

Hester Walker, Club Development Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: “This team

commit a huge amount of time to supporting the youth windsurfers at Windswept

Watersports. Their time allows for the training to be offered at a lower rate, helping

to remove the barrier of cost and enabling more young people to get on the

water. Dale has become one of the most active windsurfing communities thanks

to Windswept Watersports and the fantastic support of these volunteers.”