News
Adams wields his axe
IN a surprise move Jamie Adams has sacked the cabinet spokesperson on housing, Cllr David Simpson JP.
The Authority’s press release on the departure of both Cllr Simpson and another cabinet member, Cllr David Pugh reads as follows:
The Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Jamie Adams, has announced a number of changes to the Authority’s Cabinet.
He has asked Councillors Rob Lewis and Huw George to step down as Deputy Leaders. Both Councillors will remain in the Cabinet.
The Leader has asked Councillors David Pugh and David Simpson to leave the Cabinet.
He thanked all four Councillors for their support over the past three years.
Councillor Adams said he would be considering new appointments to the Cabinet over the coming weeks.
While Cllr David Pugh’s departure from the Cabinet had been widely anticipated, and it is understood that the Begelly/Kilgetty representative had placed his seat at his leader’s disposal, the decision to ditch the experienced and widely respected David Simpson is a surprise.
The Herald understands that Jamie Adams’ hand was forced by rumours that Cllr Simpson, who was the Cabinet spokesperson on housing, was preparing to resign from the Cabinet.
It is known that Cllr Simpson was touted by others, although not by himself, as a potential replacement for Jamie Adams ahead of the recent no-confidence vote in the Council Leader. Ahead of that vote, Cllr Simpson made it clear that he would not seek to contest Jamie Adams’ leadership of the IPPG as long as Jamie Adams wished to remain leader. He is believed to have indicated a preparedness to run for leader if Jamie Adams stepped down.
In the time after Bryn Parry Jones’ dramatic “period of absence”, the Herald understands that Cllr Rob Lewis was actively rallying support for his own leadership bid in the event that Jamie Adams stood down.
Cllr Lewis has been at the centre of revelations about his and the IPPG’s activities in the run up to the last Council election in 2012. Both he and Maenclochog councillor Huw George might also be casualties of Jamie Adams’ recently expressed wish to create a broader administration. It is noteworthy that both have remained within the Council’s cabinet for the time being.
Crime
Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags
A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.
The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.
“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.
Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”
Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.
Crime
Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven
A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.
“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.
“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”
Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”
Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.
Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Goodwick driver fined for crashing into van and outbuilding
A 21-YEAR-OLD motorist has been sentenced for driving on a Pembrokeshire B road and colliding with a parked van and an outbuilding.
Luke Harvey was driving a blue Ford Fiesta along the B4313 at Llanychaer, near Fishguard, at around 11:30pm on May 16, with a male passenger in the car.
“A call was made to the police, reporting that he had hit a van as well as an outbuilding,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.
“The people living at the property advised him to stay at the scene, but he insisted on going home. He managed to free his vehicle and drove off towards Fishguard.”
Police traced the car to an address in Fishguard and located Harvey. He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, using a vehicle without third-party insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Magistrates fined Harvey £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.
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Dave Edwards
September 26, 2014 at 4:47 pm
As a farmer , Jamie should realise that bolting the door after the horse has gone is not a good idea.