News

Pembrokeshire College students bring home the medals

Published

4 years ago

April 4, 2022

Skills Competition Wales Finalists

AN INCREDIBLE 41 Pembrokeshire College students made it through to this year’s Skills Competition Wales finals with 20 securing medals – making them some of the country’s best young trainees in their chosen disciplines.

With 61 competitions, across five industry sectors, Skills Competition Wales aims to inspire and upskill future generations by developing young people’s vocational skills while celebrating their achievements.

This year over 1,100 learners from colleges, universities and private training providers took part in the competitions, with 41 students from Pembrokeshire College making it through to the finals across a broad range of curriculum areas from culinary arts to horticulture, childcare and media production.

In a virtual awards ceremony hosted by Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales, 20 Pembrokeshire College students were announced as medal winners securing five gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals. Medal winners and finalists were then invited to an awards presentation hosted by the College last week to receive their medals and certificates from PLANED CEO and Pembrokeshire College Chairman, Iwan Thomas.

During the awards presentation, the College Corporation Board Chairman Iwan Thomas, alongside Principal Dr Barry Walters, congratulated the learners on their achievements noting that their medal haul places the College fifth in the medal league table which is a huge achievement for the learners, the lecturers and the College as a whole. Dr Walters also told the inspiring story of former learners Sam Everton and Chris Caine who recently competed in the WorldSkills international finals winning Medallions of Excellence.

Before calling the finalists up onto stage, Dr Walters commented: “It is a huge pleasure to be able to celebrate your incredible achievements in front of your family and friends. Your achievements place you amongst the most talented young people in Wales and give you a unique platform on which to continue to grow and develop your skills even further. We now look forward to some of you following in the footsteps and Sam and Chris and competing nationally and indeed, internationally.”

Subject to another round of applications, the finalists could now go on to compete in the national and international competitions at WorldSkills UK, EuroSkills and WorldSkills international.

Speaking at the virtual awards evening, Minister of Economy, Vaughan Gething stated: “Young people in Wales hold the key to this country’s future success so it is great to see initiatives such as Skills Competition Wales and the Inspiring Skills project celebrate and showcase young talent.

“Skills Competition Wales helps to equip young people with the experience and skills they need for personal and professional development. It offers individuals the opportunity to build up their confidence and employability skills while allowing employers to teach job-specific skills.

“It’s vital we invest in our future generations and continue to provide opportunities such as Skills Competition Wales so that there is a platform for young people to showcase their abilities. Skills competitions provide a platform for people to progress and develop into highly skilled workers, therefore feedbacking back into the economy.”

Health

Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession

Published

50 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.

Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).

The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.

Harassment campaign

Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.

Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.

She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.

Police assaults

The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.

Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.

Shop theft and XL Bully

Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.

In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.

Restraining orders imposed

District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.

The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.

Jailed for 26 weeks

Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.

The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

57 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.

Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.

The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.

The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.

District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.