TWO teenagers have now fully admitted being involved in cocaine dealing and conspiring to obtain a handgun — including a youth who crashed a stolen Mercedes-Benz into a house in Milford Haven last year.

Harrison Billing, 18, of Jury Lane, Haverfordwest, and Danhiellen Raji, 18, of no fixed abode, appeared again at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Apr 4) for an adjourned plea and trial preparation hearing.

Billing had already admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between January 14 and February 13 this year, as well as conspiring to possess a handgun without a firearms certificate. He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine on February 12, and denied a charge of possessing a knife on the A477 in Pembrokeshire on the same day.

The court heard that the Crown Prosecution Service had now accepted his not guilty plea to the knife charge, and Judge Catherine Richards entered a formal not guilty verdict.

Raji, who had originally denied possession with intent to supply cocaine on February 12, changed his plea to guilty at the hearing. He had already admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and the firearm conspiracy, and had pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the A477.

Prosecutor Ashanti-Jade Walton confirmed that no trial would be required for Raji or Billing, and that the Crown would proceed to sentencing.

The court was told that pre-sentence reports would be prepared for both defendants. Judge Richards warned Billing that he should expect an immediate custodial sentence. “He’s fully aware of that,” said his barrister, Dyfed Thomas.

Billing is known locally for a dramatic crash on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, in December 2024, when he ploughed a Mercedes-Benz into a house during a high-speed police pursuit. A large zombie knife was discovered on the road near the scene the following day and was later recovered by officers.

The pair’s co-defendants — Casey Gregory, 28, of Cromwell Heights, Milford Haven, and John Phillips, 36, of Pen Puffin, Steynton — continue to deny charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine and a lesser alternative of simple possession.

Phillips has admitted a separate charge of possessing cannabis.

Gregory and Phillips were re-admitted to bail, with their trial scheduled to begin on August 4. Billing and Raji remain remanded in custody and will be sentenced following the outcome of that trial.

HOSPICSE across Wales are set to receive a further £5.5 million in funding to help continue delivering essential palliative and end-of-life care services.

The cash boost is in addition to the £3 million uplift in recurrent funding confirmed in the Welsh Government’s 2025–26 budget. The new funding will support Wales’ twelve NHS-commissioned hospices — including the country’s two children’s hospices — in managing financial pressures and ensuring fair pay for staff.

Hospices in Wales play a vital role in supporting patients, families and carers during the most challenging times, and are committed to providing dignified and personalised care outside of hospital settings.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “Hospices play a vital role in supporting families at some of the most difficult times.
We are committed to strengthening and improving palliative and end-of-life care to ensure everyone who needs hospice support receives dignified and personalised care, outside of hospital.”

Liz Booyse, Chair of Hospices Cymru, welcomed the announcement: “We welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment of funding. It is a testament to the importance of the hospice sector within our healthcare system, and we are immensely grateful. Our services provide vital care and support to over 20,000 children and adults affected by terminal illnesses each year.
This funding is a significant step forward, and we will continue working in partnership with the Welsh Government to achieve a sustainable funding settlement that will bring greater stability to the Welsh hospice sector.”

Matthew Brindley, Policy and Advocacy Manager for Wales at Hospice UK, added: “Recent years have been very tough for Wales’s hospices, amid a combination of rapidly rising costs and ever-growing need for end-of-life care.
We’re grateful to the Welsh Government for recognising both the pressure hospices are under, and the immense value they bring to Wales’ health and social care system.
It’s vital we continue to work together toward a more sustainable approach to hospice funding in Wales. Our population is ageing, with increasingly complex health needs. We need a strong, robust palliative and end-of-life care system — and hospices in Wales are ready to play their part.”

New electoral system and rising support for Reform could reshape political landscape in 2026

WELSH Labour’s long-standing dominance in Cardiff Bay could come to an end at the 2026 Senedd Election, with the latest projections showing the party only narrowly ahead of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Plaid Cymru in what is set to be the tightest race in a generation.

Cavendish, one of the UK’s leading public affairs and communications consultancies, today (Thursday, April 10) launched its new Senedd Seat Projector, revealing dramatic shifts in public support and the likelihood of a multi-party government.

Using polling data and modelling based on the new proportional voting system and enlarged Senedd, Cavendish forecasts that Labour may secure 28 seats—just one ahead of Reform on 27, with Plaid Cymru close behind on 24.

Under the reformed system, 96 members will be elected across 16 new constituencies, with each electing six MSs. The changes are expected to significantly alter how campaigns are run and how votes are converted into seats.

Coalition government likely

Cathy Owens, Director at Cavendish, said a coalition government appears almost certain.

“Our Senedd Seat Projector sets out a stark reality for Welsh Labour,” she said. “It shows a coalition between Labour and Plaid Cymru as the most likely outcome, potentially with joint First Ministers.

“Otherwise, a combination of the Conservatives, Reform, and Plaid Cymru would be needed to secure a majority—a scenario that seems politically unlikely.”

Cavendish says the data reflects a “seismic” shift in Welsh politics. For the past 25 years, Welsh Labour has polled consistently between 35% and 40%. But over the last year, support for Labour has dropped significantly, with Reform now regularly polling at similar levels.

The polling picture

Cavendish compiled projections from leading pollsters over the last 12 months. While Labour consistently leads, the margin is often razor-thin. A sample of projections includes:

Survation (April 2025):

• Labour: 28 seats (27%)
• Reform: 27 seats (24%)
• Plaid Cymru: 24 seats (24%)
• Conservatives: 15 seats (15%)
• Lib Dems: 2 seats (5%)
• Greens: 0

Beaufort (December 2024):

• Labour: 28 seats (27%)
• Reform: 28 seats (24%)
• Plaid Cymru: 20 seats (18%)
• Conservatives: 17 seats (17%)
• Lib Dems: 2 seats (6%)
• Greens: 1

YouGov (December 2024):

• Labour: 25 seats (23%)
• Reform: 25 seats (24%)
• Plaid Cymru: 24 seats (24%)
• Conservatives: 19 seats (19%)
• Lib Dems: 2 seats (5%)
• Greens: 1

Redfield & Wilton (June 2024):

• Labour: 38 seats (36%)
• Reform: 11 seats (11%)
• Plaid Cymru: 24 seats (22%)
• Conservatives: 20 seats (18%)
• Lib Dems: 2 seats (6%)
• Greens: 1

The variation highlights the volatility of Welsh politics under the new system, with small shifts in support having a significant impact on seat distribution.

Campaigns will need to adapt

Cathy Owens added: “The new system rewards efficient, geographically spread support. Parties will need to rethink their campaign strategies completely.

“There will be six types of marginal seats, and organisations that want to influence manifesto pledges will need to engage far more strategically than before.”

Cavendish says the Senedd Seat Projector offers a unique insight into the upcoming election and will be an essential tool for journalists, analysts, campaigners and the public.

The tool is now live on the Cavendish website, along with a full report on Senedd reform.

Cavendish will also host a LinkedIn Live event featuring Cathy Owens and fellow director Nerys Evans, in conversation with journalist Will Hayward, to discuss the findings and what they mean for the future of Welsh politics.