News
Preparation ahead of IRONMAN Wales event in Pembrokeshire next month
THOUSANDS of athletes will be heading to the county next month as they ‘face the dragon’ at IRONMAN Wales Pembrokeshire in Tenby.
Residents and visitors can prepare for the main event on September 22nd when full and partial road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of competitors and road users.
There will also be restrictions in Tenby town centre on Saturday 21st when IRONKIDS from across the county take part in their running races.
Start times are 30 minutes later this year due to the tide, with the swim 2.4mile starting at 7.30am at North Beach.
This will push back the predicated last finisher time to around 1am.
After their swim competitors take on a 112mile bike ride before finishing with a 26.2mile run.
Full information outlining road closures and alternative routes available across the course is available on the IRONMAN website (opens in new window) to help residents plan their travel ahead of the event.
The A40 and A477 will remain open and are unaffected to facilitate access east-west throughout the event.
Emergency services will maintain full access.
The bike course closure map (opens in new window) and run course closure map can also be downloaded from ironman.com
IRONMAN Wales is in the top five global athletes’ choice and it has been confirmed it will be returning for a 14th year in 2025 – keep an eye out for entry after this year’s event.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “As the excitement for this year’s IRONMAN builds it is important for anyone who thinks they may be affected by road closures to plan ahead and check the comprehensive maps made available online.
“IRONMAN Wales is in the top five globally when it comes to athletes’ choice and it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what Pembrokeshire has to offer but we also want to ensure that all our residents have any disruption reduced wherever possible.”
A park and ride shuttle bus will be running on Saturday and Sunday from Carew Airfield and Saundersfoot.
If you have any IRONMAN Wales access questions, please contact [email protected] or call 03330 11 66 00 and provide the following details:
• Name
• Telephone Number
• Journey Start Postcode
• Journey End Postcode
• Time of Departure
• Details of Enquiry
Please note the e-mail address will not be monitored on the event weekend so please plan ahead.
Crime
Swansea Crown Court to deal with Narberth rape case
A 46-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest man has appeared before a District Judge charged with raping a woman at an undisclosed location in Narberth.
Richard Murray, recently of Hill Street, Haverfordwest is accused of raping the woman on August 25, 2022. He is further charged with sexually assaulting a woman and of causing a female to engage in sexual activity without her consent. Both offences are alleged to have been committed on the same date, August 25.
Murray denied all three charges when he appeared before District Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, September 17.
Judge Layton declined jurisdiction in the matter and the case will now be heard at Swansea Crown Court.
Murray was released on conditional bail, the condition being not to have any direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim.
The matter will next be heard at Swansea Crown Court on October 14.
Crime
Pet running loose in Milford Haven was a banned fighting dog
A DOG that was seen running loose on a main road in Milford Haven was found to be an unregistered fighting XL Bully which, according to police experts, had the strength to cause someone ‘substantial injury’.
Officers were called to a property in Milford Haven on March 24 following numerous reports from members of the public that a dog was running loose on the road, causing what the Crown Prosecution described as ‘a hazard’ to drivers. There they found the dog enclosed in a front garden.
This week it’s owner, Megan Pouparrd, 20, of Sunningdale Drive, Hubberston, pleaded guilty to possessing or having custody of a fighting dog.
“It was a typical XL Bully dog in relation to its appearance and size,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
The dog, which had wandered approximately one mile from its owner’s home, was caught and taken away by officers for further examinations to be carried out to confirm its breed.
A police statement read out to Judge Layton stated that the dog was ‘very restless and curious’.
“He made no attempt to jump on us and was more interested in finding out about his new surroundings,” said the report.
“He was a very relaxed dog, but was also extremely strong, and could easily have knocked someone off their feet.”
A destruction order for the dog was submitted to the court by the police, however following a request by District Judge Mark Layton, this was delayed pending a behaviourist report to be carried out on the animal.
Sentencing was adjourned to October 8.
(Image: File)
Crime
Letterston man in court over ‘silly neighbours’ dispute’
A NEIGHBOURS’ dispute reached the courts this week when Letterston resident Stuart Wing pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to his neighbour’s car.
“It was a silly dispute,” the 59-year-old told a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
“We used to be good neighbours, but it was the stupidest of things. I’d put his bin bags back but then he fell out with me, giving me hand signals and calling me a scumbag.”
The incident took place on June 21, 2023 at Spring Gardens, Letterston.
“The victim [Clark Gretton], had left his property and entered his vehicle,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Judge Mark Layton.
“[The victim] said, ‘I’ll be glad to get away from these scumbags’, but the defendant was near and must have heard him, because he picked some gravel up and threw it at the car, causing chip marks.”
Ms Jackson said that the cost of the criminal damage to Mr Gretton’s Nissan Qashqai totaled £660.
After pleading guilty to causing criminal damage, Stuart Wing was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £660 compensation to Mr Gretton.
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