News

Rogue Pembrokeshire roofer handed suspended prison sentence

Published

3 years ago

November 7, 2023

A rogue roofer who carried out work that wasn’t required on the home of a vulnerable couple and charged them thousands of pounds has been sentenced to a suspended prison term of 15 months.

Toby Price of Broadmoor was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, November 6th following a successful investigation and prosecution brought by Pembrokeshire County Council Trading Standards.

Price admitted four charges of fraud and one offence of engaging in a misleading commercial practice by omitting contractual information including cancellation rights.

The Court heard that Price was trading as ‘Best Price Roofing Services’ when he was contacted by the victim about a slipped roof tile which had caused a damp patch on an upstairs ceiling.

Price visited and quoted £800 for the work, falsely claiming that the high cost was for insurance in case he had an accident.

An independent contractor later said the repair should have cost about £80 plus VAT.

While there Price claimed he had noticed the chimney stack to be leaning or warped and estimated a cost of repair to be £8,000. He told the victim that he would do the work for between £4,000 and £5,000.

When the victim said he would think about it, Price said the chimney stack could fall and potentially injure the victim’s wife who was largely confined to the living room due to health conditions.

The victim felt pressured and concerned about his wife’s safety and agreed to the repair.

Price spent around 30-45 minutes on the roof with a trowel and a bucket of cement. He charged £4,500 for the work.

An independent contractor later examined the chimney and stated that it was safe and not leaning or warped.

Rendering work of poor quality had been carried out and estimated to have cost approximately £100 plus VAT.

The fraud was discovered when the victim’s usual maintenance company later attended and contacted the Council.

A telephone number on a business card provided by the defendant did not work and when contacted by

Trading Standards on another number provided to the victim, the man who answered claimed it was a wrong number.

The impact on the victim and his wife has been profound, causing them stress and concern about a loss of their savings.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “I welcome the sentence handed to Price today and thank the Trading Standards team for their diligent work on this prosecution.
“Price targeted a vulnerable couple and charged them an extortionate amount for work that did not need to be carried out.
“The victims have been left badly affected by Price’s actions and I hope this case shows that the Council will not stand for this sort of callous behaviour.”

Price was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Price must also pay the victim £900 in compensation.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.