News

Essex man sentenced for courier fraud targeting Pembrokeshire pensioners

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2023

A CRIMINAL from Essex who picked up cash and gold from three households in Pembrokeshire that had been conned out of tens of thousands of pounds has been sentenced at Basildon Crown Court.

Arnaldo Katalay, aged 24, of Gascoigne Way, Billericay, travelled to West Wales to carrying out a number of pick-ups from people he had helped con into thinking were helping the police and banks uncover corruption.

But what his con had done is trick them into buying gold so the scammers could line their own pockets.

His first victim, a pensioner, received a number of calls between 2 and 18 November 2021 from a man claiming to be DCI Paul Stewart from Paddington Police Station.

The fake officer said that a female had been arrested trying to use the victim’s bank card to purchase a Hotpoint washing machine in Argos.

As the calls continued the victim was persuaded to assist an investigation into ‘bad apples’ working at NatWest Bank in Canary Wharf.

This led to them placing two orders for gold bullion from an online retailer, where they spent £27,363.78. The gold was delivered to then on three separate days 9th, 10th and 16th November 2021.

The victim told “DCI Stewart” when each delivery was being made and he arranged for ‘a courier’ to collect them from their home address.

On 9th November at approximately 5.15pm, whilst she was on the phone to “DCI Stewart”, a male called at her home address to collect the gold, which had been delivered from earlier that day.

She handed the package, containing gold worth £10,000, to him and the male left.

On 10th November, following the delivery of the second amount of gold, a courier arrived and collected it. The value of the gold collected that day was £7,913.72.

On 16th November, following the delivery of gold earlier that day, a ‘courier’ arrived at their home to collect this third package. The total value of the gold collected on 16th November was £9,450.06.

Thereafter contact with “DCI Stewart” ceased and on 22nd November the victim had a sudden realisation they had been the victim of a fraud and reported it to Dyfed-Powys Police.

They lost their life savings in the con, however, they have since been reimbursed by the bank.

The second victims, married pensioners, received a number of calls between 2 and 26 November 2021.

The unknown caller purported to be DC Robert Lawrence, from a serious fraud squad at Charing Cross Police Station.

He persuaded them to withdraw £7,500 from their bank account on 9 November and that it would be collected by a courier in order to progress their investigation.

Following the collection of the cash “DC Lawrence” continued to maintain regular telephone contact with his victims until they were eventually persuaded to purchase £18,769.42 worth of gold online from a company on 15th November.

There were however delays in the gold being delivered and while “DC Lawrence” continued to maintain telephone contact with the couple the fraud failed.

Officers carrying out house-to-house enquiries from the first offence identified the couple had also been victims.

The gold was delivered, but because police had intervened, it wasn’t handed to a courier and was instead returned for a refund.

The third victim, an elderly person living alone in Pembrokeshire, was targeted between 26 November and 1 December 2021, this time from someone claiming to be DC Thomas Daniel from Paddington Police Station.

He told her the NatWest Bank were engaged in fraud and then handed her to his Sergeant, called Goodwood, who continued to tell her she needed to take action to assist them in her enquiries.

Following numerous telephone calls the victim went to her bank on Friday 26th November, having been told to withdraw £3,000 by the scammer.

The bank declined the full amount but let her withdraw £1,250 in cash.

When they told the ‘officer’ on the phone they had only been allowed to withdraw that amount the male became angry with her.

On Monday 29th November, following further phone calls from the suspect who demanded that she withdrew more money, the victim went to Carmarthen where they took out Euros 1,770 at a travel agent.

At about 6pm on Monday 29th November Mrs Phillips was told to meet a male outside her house. They handed both the sterling taken out on the 26th, and the Euros to the male.

They later realised she had been the victim of a scam and reported it to police on 1st December 2021.

Significant efforts by various teams across Dyfed-Powys Police, from the neighbourhood policing teams, the Economic Crime Team and detectives in CID was able to evidence that Katalay had been the man who collected the gold and cash from the victims.

Officers used phone records, and the fact that Katalay paid for a taxi he used to go to one of the victim’s homes by bank transfer to track him down and ultimately convict him.

The evidence they secured was shared with colleagues from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, which is based in the east of England, who convicted Katalay through the courts there.

DCI Cameron Ritchie said Katalay’s crimes had a profound effect on his victims.

“We’re pleased to have secured the evidence to convict Katalay and to have supported the victims who have come forward,” he said.

“We’re talking about people who have been tricked into handing over life savings, so their confidence has taken a huge hit.

“It is cruel and completely unfair but I hope they can get over this. They have had some or all of their money back but the damage done to their confidence in immeasurable.

“During this time period we received more than 80 calls reporting unsuccessful claims, so we know they were pushing hard in the Pembrokeshire area at that time.

“It is unfortunate that these people were conned but these scammers are very cunning, careful and clever criminals who have worked to exploit three people that we know about.

“This conviction is the result of the efforts of our investigators in CID working with the economic crime team and Ersou to get the evidence needed to prove Katalay had been involved in tricking people into handing over £88,000 in just a month in Pembrokeshire.

“Police would never ask any members of the public to purchase gold or other valuables nor ask for cash to be handed to a courier. If you have any concerns please contact police on 101, online or in an emergency 999.”

Katalay pleaded guilty to all charges in January 2023 and on Thursday, 2nd March, he was sentenced to seven months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

3 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

News

Late Griffiths strike caps dramatic Clarby fightback in nine-goal thriller

Published

5 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Herald Sport

CLARBESTON ROAD staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Pennar Robins in a breathless Division One contest that delivered nine goals, wild swings of momentum and a hat-trick that ultimately counted for nothing.

Despite falling behind on three separate occasions, Clarby showed resilience and attacking intent to secure a 5–4 victory, sealed late on by Emyr Griffiths after the hosts had earlier trailed 3–1 in the first half.

For Pennar, the result was a bitter one. Jack Jones struck three times and the Robins led at 1–0, 3–1 and 4–3, but each advantage slipped away as Clarby refused to lie down.

The opening exchanges hinted at little of what was to come. Ben ‘Rocky’ John tested Pennar goalkeeper Ryeley Clark early on, while Tom Davies dragged an effort wide at the other end. The game burst into life after nine minutes when Pennar opened the scoring following a slick team move. Nicholas Willis drove forward down the right, combined neatly with Kieran Smith and Noah Davison, and was tripped inside the box. Jack Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Clarby responded almost immediately. Player-manager Matthew Ellis, keen to atone for conceding the penalty, rose to head home Travis Jones’ corner at the near post just two minutes later.

Pennar regained control midway through the half. Tom Grimwood’s curling corner was met by Jones, who nodded in at the back post, and moments later the same duo combined again as Jones completed his hat-trick, finishing from close range after Grimwood beat his marker and cut the ball back.

Crucially, Clarby struck back before the break. Matthew Bowen delivered an inviting cross from the left and John powered a header past Clark to give the hosts renewed belief heading into half-time.

With the wind at their backs, Clarby came out flying after the restart. John levelled matters by cutting inside and firing low into the corner, before sustained pressure saw Matthew Davies have a goal ruled out for offside and substitute Josh Woods flash a shot across goal.

Against the run of play, Pennar edged back in front on 69 minutes when substitutes combined — Adam Phillips delivering a cross that Conner Phillips met unmarked to head home.

Once again, Clarby refused to fold. Jack Ashman drove forward from the edge of the area and thundered a high finish into the net to make it 4–4, before the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Griffiths broke through the Pennar back line and showed composure to lift the ball beyond Clark, completing a stunning turnaround.

Clarby managed the closing stages well to see out a vital win ahead of the Christmas break.

Man of the match: Jack Jones
Despite ending on the losing side, Jones’ clinical finishing and constant threat were impossible to ignore. Kieran Smith and Noah Davison were also influential in Pennar’s first-half dominance, while Ben John was central to Clarby’s revival before limping off with a knee issue.

Clarby player-manager Matthew Ellis said: “It’s a huge three points. After nine goals your head’s spinning a bit, but you’ll take it when you’re on the right side of the result. Pennar caused us problems early on, but we really turned it around after the break.”

Pennar manager Craig Butland said: “The second half wasn’t good enough. Individual errors are hurting us and conceding just before half-time changed the momentum. We’ve got to see games out better.”

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Matthew Bowen, Greg Brown, Matthew Griffiths, Samuel Hurton, Jack Ashman, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (capt), Matthew Ellis, Ben John (Jake Wesley 62), Travis Jones. Sub not used: Joseph Jones.

Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Nick Willis (Ryan Walters 80), Alex Wheeler (Adam Phillips 53), Ethan Ball, Bobby Jones (Conner Willis 53), Connor Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Kieran Smith (capt), Noah Davison, Jack Jones, Toby Davies.

Referee: Stefan Jenkins.