News

Jail for gang who plundered Narberth businesses

Published

10 years ago

September 3, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Swansea Crown Court

THE LEADERS of a gang who plundered almost an entire enterprise park at Narberth have been jailed today.

Anthony Jones, aged 28, and Llewellyn Luce, 37, spent four hours rampaging through businesses on the Rushacre park in Redstone Lane before driving away with more than £40,000 in cash, tools and equipment.

Swansea crown court heard how they got away in a stolen £12,000 Volvo transporter van that was never seen again.

And the vast majority of the stolen items were never recovered.

Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said the pair broke into Apple Blossom cleaners, Rushacre Garage, Premier Stoves, Tradeframe Manufacturers and Silverstone Green Energy, and tried to get into two other businesses and a storage shed, in the early hours of December 22 last year.

They stole £1,650 in cash from Apple Blossom and caused more than £5,000 worth of damage. They also broke into Christmas presents and took a distinctive bottle of wine that detectives would later find on top of a wardrobe at Luce’s home.

From Rushacre garage they stole the van and more than £20,000 of tools and equipment, of which £10,000 worth was not recoverable via insurance.

At Silverstone Green Energy the pair “destroyed” an antique safe and got away with £1,200 in cash and £3,100 worth of tools while causing £1,650 worth of damage.

Jones and Luce also stole cash, cameras, stamps and other valuables from Premier Stoves and Tradeframe Manufacturers.

Mr Pulling said the burglaries were not discovered until the following day but detectives were able to track the transporter van on CCTV cameras along the M4 motorway.

They noticed it seemed to be in convoy with a Ford Fiesta belonging to Lisa Jones. And CCTV coverage of her at a service station put her in company with other members of the gang.

Police then examined mobile telephone traffic between them—and found the tell tale bottle of wine at Luce’s home.

Anthony Jones, aged 28, of Lister Street, Accrington, Luce, of The Woodlands, Penygarn, Pontypool, Lise Jones, 25, of Snatchwood Court, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, and her then boyfriend, James Lawson, 25, of Whitegate Close, Padiham, Burnley, each admitted five burglaries and three attempted break ins.

Jones was jailed for four years and Luce for 21 months.

Lisa Jones and Lawson were jailed for two years, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Lisa Jones and Lawson said they had acted as look outs.

Judge Paul Thomas said Anthony Jones, who had 43 previous convictions, was a “prolific, professional and undeterrable burglar” of commercial premises who only stopped when he was in prison.

Despite living in Accrington his previous offending included burgling businesses in Pembrokeshire.

He said all four had gone into a “large scale, organised, commercial burglary expedition with their eyes wide open.”

Those who play with fire, he added, get their fingers burned.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

6 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

6 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.