Crime

Wrongly convicted Pembrokeshire postmaster’s delight at new baby

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE sub-postmaster who was unjustly prosecuted in the infamous Horizon scandal has expressed his joy over the birth of his new baby, marking a hopeful new chapter in his life.

Tim Brentnall, from Roch, Pembrokeshire, faced prosecution in 2010 for false accounting after a £22,000 shortfall was discovered at his branch. He is among the 736 former Post Office managers wrongly accused due to the flawed Horizon computer system.

The ordeal compounded the stress of trying for a baby, but now Mr Brentnall and his partner Steph are celebrating the arrival of Lando, born three weeks ago, describing him as “a dream come true”.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Brentnall shared, “Ten years ago, I would never have thought it possible to be this happy and have this new life. We wanted a child for many years, and with Steph going through cancer and treatment, we had to wait for a while.”

Reflecting on the scandal’s impact, he noted, “Living next to the Post Office is a constant reminder of what happened. I was in my early 20s when we took it on, and that was going to be my future. It was all ripped away from me after five years.”

Mr Brentnall, 22 at the time, had bought the shop with his parents, aiming to secure an income and remain in his hometown. In 2009, auditors uncovered a discrepancy, leading to his suspension and subsequent interrogation at Haverfordwest police station. “It was horrific. I felt totally alone and helpless,” he recalled.

Despite knowing he had not taken any money, Mr Brentnall’s family felt pressured to cover the alleged debt, with his parents taking out a loan. Nevertheless, he was prosecuted for false accounting and, advised to plead guilty, received an 18-month suspended sentence along with 200 hours of community service.

“I really started to feel like I was trapped in a nightmare,” he said. “I felt like I was watching myself do it because I knew I didn’t do anything wrong but I was in front of a judge in Crown Court pleading guilty to a crime I didn’t commit.”

In 2021, his conviction was overturned, and he provided testimony to the Post Office inquiry in March 2022. Now, with baby Lando, Mr Brentnall and Steph are looking forward to a brighter future.

“It has been a real joy to be able to start to build towards the next chapter,” he said.

Mr Brentnall’s journey from wrongful conviction to new fatherhood underscores a remarkable resilience in the face of profound adversity. As the Horizon scandal continues to unfold, stories like his highlight the human cost behind the technical failures and institutional missteps.

For Mr Brentnall and his family, baby Lando symbolizes not just a new life, but the beginning of healing and hope after years of turmoil and distress.

Image: BBC News Hub

Crime

Police standoff ends after four-hour incident in Pembroke Dock

Published

42 minutes ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ELIZABETH COURT SCENE STOOD DOWN AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A FOUR-HOUR police standoff in Pembroke Dock has ended with a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident at Elizabeth Court has now been stood down and the scene released.

The man has been taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “I want to thank local residents for their patience while we dealt with this incident. I understand that such a large police presence in a residential street is concerning to see, and I’m grateful to everyone who co-operated with our officers at the scene.

“I’d like to offer my reassurance that our units responded to an isolated domestic incident, and there was no further threat posed to the wider community. The scene has now been released, and we will investigate the full circumstances of this morning’s incident.”

Officers were called to the address this morning (Saturday, May 9), with a large police presence remaining in the area for several hours.

Eyewitnesses told The Herald that police were asking a man upstairs to come down, with tasers drawn during the incident.

Police dogs, specialist officers and what appeared to be a negotiator were also seen at the scene.

The incident lasted from around 11:00am until about 3:10pm.

Crime

Teen denies attempted murder of Milford Haven teacher

Published

4 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TEENAGER REMANDED AHEAD OF JULY TRIAL

A 15-YEAR-old boy has denied attempting to murder a teacher during a stabbing incident at Milford Haven School.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 8).

He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding with a knife.

The charges relate to an incident at Milford Haven School on Thursday, February 5, when emergency services were called after reports that a teacher had been assaulted by a pupil carrying a weapon.

The school was placed into lockdown and pupils were later safely evacuated.

The injured teacher was taken to hospital with stab wounds, but was discharged later the same day.

Police said at the time that specialist officers were supporting the victim and the wider school community.

The teenager was remanded in custody following Friday’s hearing.

A trial is due to begin on July 6.

Crime

Racial abuse suspect barricaded himself inside Johnston lodge

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ARMED police were called to a supported accommodation building in Johnston after a man allegedly barricaded himself inside a room while behaving aggressively and racially abusing staff.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were called to Silverdale Lodge at around 8:55am on Saturday (May 2) following reports of disorder involving a resident.

According to police, the man allegedly acted aggressively towards staff members and made racially abusive comments before barricading himself inside a room at the property.

The force said armed officers were deployed to ensure the safety of staff, other occupants and the man himself.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police was called to Silverdale Lodge in Johnston at approximately 8.55am on May 2 following a report of a male behaving in an aggressive manner and being racially abusive towards a member of staff.

“Officers attended the scene and the male had barricaded himself in a room.

“In order to ensure the safety of the male, staff members and other occupants of the building, armed officers attended the scene.

“The man was detained and arrested. There were no injuries to members of staff or officers reported. There is currently no ongoing threat to the public.”

Police confirmed Billy Pitman, aged 29, has been charged with racially aggravated public order offences, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Pitman was remanded into custody and appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Monday (May 4).

We will bring you the court result as we receive it.