News

Milford Haven couple narrowly avoid jail following nightclub fracas

Published

4 years ago

December 10, 2022

A MILFORD HAVEN couple who instigated violent scenes outside a Pembrokeshire nightclub have been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.

On Friday (Dec 9) Judge Geraint Walters said the behaviour of husband and wife Callum and Rihanna Hicks of Meyler Crescent, was unacceptable, and that they needed to think carefully of their role as parents.

On a large TV screen in the courtroom, the judge viewed CCTV footage of Callum, 27, and Rihanna Hicks, 25 leaving Eddie’s nightclub in the early hours of January 23 was played in the court room.

The footage showed that they were followed by Matthew Jones, 30, who was ejected from the club and followed outside by security staff.

“It was clear that there was tension between them and others at the nightclub,” said CPS lawyer Hannah George.

Ms George then proceeded to play CCTV footage depicting Rihanna Hicks pulling an unidentified male by the hair. She was pulled away from him by a bystander and immediately joined her husband and Matthew Jones.

“Rihanna was intent on becoming involved,” she said.

Matthew Jones, of Richard John Road, Milford Haven, was then seen punching a man to his face, causing him to fall backwards.

Callum and Rihanna moved towards the victim and continued the assault. Rihanna punched him to the face while Callum was seen punching him approximately seven times after which Rihanna struck him yet again.

Despite the onlookers’ attempts to pull him off, Callum continued to punch out at the victim.

Police were called to the scene and questioned both Rihanna and Callum Hicks about their involvement – who denied any wrongdoing.

PS Borman then grappled one of the men to the floor. Matthew Jones then kicked out, hitting the officer to his face, and then Callum kicked out, and again caught the officer on the face.

Rihanna kicked a female victim to the chest after she had fallen to the floor. The police officer and the female ended up in hospital as a result of the incident.

PS Borman was taken to A&E where he was treated for cuts, swelling and bruising. The female victim was also admitted to A&E after sustaining bruising to her chest, back and face and swelling to her knee.

In her victim impact statement she said that she is now anxious that she may bump into Callum and Rihanna Hicks whenever she goes to Haverfordwest. She also struggles to sleep, she said.

All three defendants pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assault causing actual bodily harm. Callum Hicks and Mathew Jones pleaded guilty to an additional charge of affray.

Jones was represented in court by barrister Jon Tarrant who said his client had no recollection of that evening’s events.

Callum Hicks’s counsel, Ian Ibrahim, said his client takes “Full responsibility at his behaviour – but he’s learned from this and moved. He is not that man which he used to be.”

Meanwhile Rihanna Hicks’s legal representative said that this was a “depressingly shameful incident which she regrets taking part in,” he said.

Callum Hicks and Matthew Jones were sentenced to 12 month in custody suspended for two years.

Callum must carry out 30 days of rehabilitation activity and 180 hours of unpaid work while Matthew was sentenced to ten days of rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Rihanna Hicks was sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for two years.

She must complete ten days of rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work.

Community

The gentle giant behind the tattoos

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire security worker Josh Davies praised for professionalism, kindness and proving first impressions can be wrong

JOSH Davies is hard to miss.

With tattoos across his head, face, neck and hands, he is the kind of man people notice before they know anything about him.

But those who know him, work with him, or have simply crossed paths with him after a long night on duty, tell a very different story.

They describe him as a gentleman. A grafter. A man with a big heart. Someone who would do anything to help another person.

Now Josh, who completed his Door Supervisor course with RM Training and Security Solutions last year, is being praised for the way he has built a career in the security industry and become a valued member of the team.

The Pembrokeshire-based company said Josh had gone “from strength to strength” since gaining his licence, working across licensed venues, events, customer-facing roles, response duties and other security work.

A spokesperson for RM Training and Security Solutions said: “From day one, Josh showed a natural ability for the security industry.

“Since gaining his licence, he has thrown himself into every opportunity presented to him, working across a variety of roles including licensed venues, events, customer-facing positions, response duties, and much more.

“There genuinely seems to be nothing Josh cannot turn his hand to. His willingness to learn, adaptability, reliability, and positive attitude have made him a valued member of the RM team.”

But it is not only his employers who have noticed.

After RM Training shared Josh’s success story online, dozens of people came forward to praise him, with many saying his appearance should never be mistaken for the man underneath.

One woman said she had met Josh on a Sunday morning after he had finished a night shift.

She said: “He was an absolute gentleman. Someone you would say from first impression of meeting, nice guy, good guy.”

Another person, who said she had known Josh since he was young and treated him like a son, said: “I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me in my life. He is one in a million.

“People look at him like a big boy, but he has got a heart and he will do anything to help anyone.”

Others described him as a “great bloke”, “absolute gentleman”, “sound bloke”, and someone who was “built to be a doorman”.

In an industry where first impressions, calm judgement and public confidence matter, RM Training said Josh’s professionalism had become one of his strongest qualities.

The company added: “What stands out most is his professionalism. Whether dealing with members of the public, clients, colleagues, or challenging situations, Josh consistently demonstrates the highest standards expected within our industry.

“He represents both himself and RM Training & Security Solutions exceptionally well at all times.

“We are incredibly proud to have Josh as part of the team and look forward to watching his continued growth and success within the security industry.”

Security staff are often seen only when something goes wrong, but much of the work involves preventing problems before they happen, reassuring the public, supporting event organisers, and knowing how to deal with difficult situations calmly.

Josh’s story has struck a chord because it challenges the quick assumptions people can make.

To some, the tattoos may be the first thing they see.

To those who know him, they are simply part of a man who has worked hard, taken his chance, and earned respect through his attitude and actions.

One supporter summed it up simply: “Life loves a grafter.”

Photo caption:

Josh Davies has been praised by RM Training and Security Solutions and members of the public for his professionalism and kindness (Pics: DarthMartyMedia).

News

150 years of Mothers’ Union marked at St Davids Cathedral

Published

5 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SPECIAL service has been held at St Davids Cathedral to celebrate 150 years of the Mothers’ Union.

Members and officials gathered for the anniversary celebration on Sunday (Jun 21), where Bishop Dorrien welcomed those attending and spent time speaking with the Provincial Chaplain.

The occasion had particular significance for Bishop Dorrien, who is the third generation of his family to be a member of the Mothers’ Union.

The organisation, founded in 1876, continues to support families, communities and church life across Wales and around the world.

Those attending said the celebration was a fitting tribute to the work of generations of members, with hopes expressed for the next 150 years.

Caption:

Celebration: Members and officials gathered at St Davids Cathedral to mark 150 years of the Mothers’ Union (Pic: Diocese of St Davids).

Entertainment

Harbour Fest to bring music, food and maritime magic to Milford Waterfront

Published

6 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Free family festival will celebrate Milford Haven’s seafaring history and coastal community

MILFORD WATERFRONT will burst into life on Saturday, June 27, as the first Harbour Fest sails into town for a day of music, food, family fun and maritime celebration.

The free event will run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Mackerel Quay and across the waterfront, bringing together local traders, live entertainment, coastal organisations and independent businesses for a packed day beside the water.

Organisers say the festival will celebrate everything that makes Milford Haven special, from its seafaring history and working harbour to its growing reputation as a destination for food, shopping, culture and family days out.

Visitors will be able to browse stalls from local makers and producers, enjoy street food and live performances, and explore a Marine Zone featuring organisations involved in sea safety, marine conservation and coastal life.

The Marine Zone will include Seagrass Network Cymru / Project Seagrass, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, NCI Wooltack Point, Rudders Marine Training, RNLI Milford Haven and RNLI Angle Lifeboat.

RNLI Angle Lifeboat is expected to be based on the Mackerel Stage, while the Sea Cadets will be giving rope-tying displays at Milford Haven Museum, where craft activities will also be taking place.

Live entertainment will run throughout the day, with performances from Tom & Abz, Will Scott, Ryan Bristow, Milford Haven Town Band, Kyle Kirkhouse and ShantyJacs Sea Shanties.

Businesses across the waterfront are also joining in. All Pets Vet Care will hold a family-friendly open day with a bouncy castle, treasure hunts, quizzes, craft activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Aurora Artisan Crafts will host vocal performances, Biffy’s Bar & Restaurant will feature solo acoustic music from Laurence Lewis, and Martha’s Vineyard will offer seafood street food with live music from Ryan Bristow and Steve Bartram.

At Tŷ Milford Waterfront’s outdoor plaza there will be face painting, children’s activities, pop-up artists and an afternoon DJ set, while Phoenix Bowl and Pirate Pete’s Adventure Play will have inflatables and glitter tattoos outside.

The Waterfront Gallery will host introduction to felt-making workshops with textile artist Carole Fletcher, giving participants the chance to create a woollen felt flower pin brooch or phone/glasses case. The workshops start at 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm and cost £5 per person.

A wide range of traders will also be attending, including 5th Flock Spirits Co, Cinnamon Grove Distillery, Cwm Deri Wines & Liqueurs, Ferncraft, Get Loaded, J.J. Pottery, Major Nuts, Orange Garden Design, Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm, Pembrokeshire Gold, Pembrokeshire Lottery, Plumstone Welshcakes and SlateArtSJ.

With music drifting across the marina, food stalls lining the waterfront and lifeboats, sea safety teams and coastal groups adding a strong maritime flavour, Harbour Fest is expected to bring a lively summer atmosphere to one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known waterside destinations.