News

A very busy Bank Holiday Weekend for Tenby’s volunteer lifeboat crew

Published

5 years ago

August 29, 2021

SIX straight hours at sea and 136 miles covered for Tenby’s all weather lifeboart, The Haydn Miller on Bank Holiday Saturday (Aug 28).

The rescue boat managed to clock up 136 miles at sea, with three shouts – including a sprint half way to Ireland, when a 6.5m boat started taking on water in the Irish Sea.

The first shout of the day came just after midday, when the Coastguard received a call stating that two kayaks were in difficulty off Stackpole.

The volunteer crew made best speed to the area and quickly located the kayaks. After making sure the occupants were unhurt, they were returned to Stackpole.

Soon after dropping off the kayakers, the lifeboat was then tasked to a yacht that had suffered engine and electrical failure off Linney Head.

They were unable to sail due to light winds.

As the crew were passing the tow to the yacht, an urgent call came in from a 6.5 metre vessel which had a cracked hull and was taking on water in the Irish Sea, around 50 miles south-west of Haydn Miller’s position.

As the yacht was not in any danger, the Haydn Miller was re-tasked to the sinking vessel, whilst Angle lifeboat was launched to assist the yacht.

After steaming into the Irish Sea for 90 minutes, the volunteer crew arrived alongside the casualty vessel just after the fellow Tamar class lifeboat from Kilmore Quay in southern Ireland. Following a discussion with their Irish RNLI colleagues, it was decided that the vessel would be towed back to Ireland, so the Tenby lifeboat started the two hour journey back to station, arriving just after 6pm.
In total, they’d covered 136 miles over their six hours at sea.

One of those rescued Ashley Bell posted his thanks on social media, saying: “A big thank you from all of us on the yacht with the engine and electrical failure!
“Angle lifeboat was with us soon after and got us back to Dale.
“We were all feeling a bit embarrassed at having to be rescued on such a beautiful day, and the warmth and friendliness from the crews of both lifeboats was really wonderful!”

On Friday, The Haydn Miller assisted with treatment of casualty with broken leg on Coppet Hall beach
The lifeboat launched at 7.05pm following a request from an off-duty nurse that was assisting RNLI beach lifeguards and HM Coastguard Tenby in treating a person with a suspected broken leg on Coppet Hall beach.
The volunteer crew were soon on scene and launched the Y-boat with medical kit and went into the shore to where the casualty was located. They assisted by providing pain relief until the casualty was more comfortable.
Once it was confirmed that an ambulance had been tasked, the Y-boat returned to the Haydn Miller for the short trip back to Tenby, arriving at 8pm.

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

22 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.