News

Pembrokeshire schoolgirl encourages young people to register to vote

Published

4 years ago

March 28, 2022

A NATIONAL campaign to encourage 16-17yr olds and qualifying foreign nationals to register to vote in the upcoming May 2022 local elections is underway to ensure that all eligible voters embrace the opportunity to have their say and to make a difference, on both a local and national level.

For 16-17 year olds this will be their first ever opportunity to vote in local elections following the Welsh Government lowering the voting age, but they must register before the deadline – midnight on the 14 April at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

A nationwide advertising campaign to encourage voter registration is already being rolled out by Welsh Government, and one Pembrokeshire student is urging young people to have their say under the #BecauseICan campaign banner.

18 yr old Anna Long is a pupil at Haverfordwest High School and is very passionate about advocating for voting amongst young people in Wales and is a member of the Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly,

“There is a perception that it is only older people that are interested in the democratic process but I know that people my age want to help make a difference so that our generation are also represented. I would like to encourage anyone to get involved in helping make their local communities better places to live. Register to vote and use your vote – make a difference!”

Schools and libraries across the country are getting involved by setting up bespoke registration points with staff on hand to guide anyone through the simple registration process.

At Ysgol Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen. they feel it is important to encourage the students to be part of the democratic process as Gareth Jones, subject leader in Government and Politics, explains,

“It is becoming more and more important that young people feel they can play an active part in the community and we feel it is our role to ensure they have the appropriate skills and knowledge to be able to participate in the process. At the local elections, matters are discussed that impact on their daily lives and we aim to impress on them the importance of voting and how easy it is to register to do so.

“On a very positive note, many of the young people are very engaged in the democratic process and play a key role in influencing their peers.”

Key social media influencers have also been recruited to communicate the need to register, and vote, with their young followers. TikTok sensation Ieuan Cooke has recorded a series of messages for his 400,000 followers,

“This is a great opportunity for young people to have their voices heard and it’s free and simple to do. I hope that young people hear these messages and that they not only resonate with them, but are also inspired to register and vote in the election.”

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on the 14 April and the local elections will be held on Thursday, 5 May. You cannot vote if you have not registered by this date.

To register to vote go to: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

5 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

5 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

5 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.