BRUCE Nankervis, of Flat 3 Farmers Arms, Whitland, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court facing charges of fraud by false representation. The court heard that Nankervis committed the offences in April and May 2023 by accessing the bank account of Angela Chatfield, intending to cause her loss.

On 24th April 2023, 25th April 2023, and 2nd May 2023, he dishonestly accessed Chatfield’s account without her knowledge or permission, taking advantage of his position of trust. Nankervis pleaded guilty to the charges on 28th August 2024.

The magistrates sentenced Nankervis to a suspended custodial period of 24 weeks, with a supervision period of 12 months, citing his flagrant disregard for people and their property and the fact that the offences were committed against a vulnerable person. The sentence was suspended to allow for his rehabilitation, maintain his recently acquired home, and enable him to reconnect with his daughter. He was also ordered to comply with rehabilitation activity requirements for up to 15 days and perform 50 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

Additionally, Nankervis was ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, a £154 surcharge, and £1,484 in compensation to Angela Chatfield. Payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £40 starting from 16th October 2024.

A SOUTH Wales prison where 10 inmates have died this year has made “considerable progress” in its management, according to a Welsh government minister.

Jane Hutt, the Social Justice Minister, stated that HMP Parc in Bridgend, which houses man prisoners from Pembrokeshire, is now “much, much more stable.” The prison, operated by security company G4S, has faced allegations of drug misuse but maintains it has a “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.”

Minister Hutt said she received reassurances from Ian Barrow, who oversees the management of Welsh prisons, that there had been significant improvements at Parc following the appointment of a new director in June.

The minister announced plans to visit Parc later this month alongside the UK government’s prisons minister, Lord Timpson.

Will Styles was appointed as the new director of Parc after Heather Whitehead stepped down. Styles, who has been with G4S for a year managing HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, took over the role following Whitehead’s departure. G4S stated that her immediate exit in August 2023 was “not in response to one single incident.”

Since February, 10 inmates have died at the prison, with at least four of the deaths believed to be drug-related. In June, three prisoners were also hospitalised following disorder at the facility.

South Wales Police reported in March that a synthetic opioid, Nitazene, had been identified in connection with all four drug-related deaths, with another synthetic drug, Spice, also identified in two of the cases. G4S reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs” in response to these findings.

The deaths have sparked protests from the families of inmates who died while in custody. In May, they demonstrated outside the prison, demanding answers from authorities regarding claims of drug misuse within the facility.

At the Social Justice Questions session in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday, Conservative Senedd member Altaf Hussain expressed concerns about healthcare at Parc. In response, Jane Hutt extended her thoughts to the staff and families affected by the “deeply concerning” deaths in custody earlier this year.

Hutt stated that she met Ian Barrow last month and received “reassurances on the progress made at Parc” since the new director’s appointment. “My understanding from that meeting is that Parc has made considerable progress since the spring,” she added. “It’s now much more stable.”

She confirmed her upcoming visit to the prison with Lord Timpson on 30 September.

However, the minister’s comments have been met with criticism. Zack Griffiths, a former inmate of Parc Prison who was first sent there in 2016 after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, has spoken out. Griffiths now runs the HMP Prisons’ Justice Group UK Facebook page, which has over 6,000 members, including many families of those who have died at Parc or have loved ones currently incarcerated there.

In a statement to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Griffiths challenged the minister’s assessment of the situation:

“In response to the misleading statements made by Jane Hutt, the Social Justice Minister, regarding the stability of HMP Parc, I must state that her view is not only inaccurate but appears to be intentionally so. The HMP Prisons Justice Group continues to receive daily reports of significant issues, including drug abuse, corruption, and widespread harm inflicted upon inmates by both staff and senior management of the prison.

“I urge the Minister to engage directly with the prison’s management and visit a unit within the prison to speak with the inmates themselves. It is crucial that she seeks the truth from those living this reality, rather than presenting a false impression to the public.

“It is utterly unacceptable that the Minister fails to acknowledge the 27 families who have lost their loved ones under the care of G4S. Both she and G4S should hang their heads in shame for their negligence and lack of accountability.”

Griffiths’ statement suggests a disconnect between the official narrative presented by the government and the experiences reported by inmates and their families. This tension highlights ongoing concerns about the prison’s management and the challenges faced in ensuring the safety and well-being of those incarcerated at HMP Parc.

HMP Parc is one of the UK’s largest category B prisons, housing convicted male adult and young offenders, as well as convicted sex offenders or those awaiting trial for sex offences.

IN a determined move to protect the welfare of young people, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dafydd Llywelyn has reaffirmed his commitment to funding the dedicated Schools Programme across Dyfed-Powys, following the controversial decision by the Welsh Government to withdraw financial support earlier this year.

The decision, made in January, to cut funding caused widespread concern among schools, parents, and the community, as the programme has long been integral in providing dedicated Schools Police Officers. These officers deliver essential educational and well-being support to pupils aged 5 to 16 through a bilingual curriculum. The service not only safeguards students but also plays a crucial role in their personal development and pastoral care.

PCC Llywelyn expressed his dismay at the government’s decision, particularly noting the lack of formal consultation with police forces across Wales. Nonetheless, he swiftly intervened to ensure the continuation of the Schools Programme in the Dyfed-Powys region until the end of the previous academic year.

Having secured re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner in May, Mr Llywelyn has since worked closely with local and national partners to devise a long-term plan to secure the future of the Schools Programme. This commitment was highlighted during his visit to Ysgol Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen on Wednesday, 18th September, where he observed the implementation of the newly launched School Service.

During the visit, Mr Llywelyn stated, “The safety and well-being of our children is paramount, and the role of the School Police Officers has been vital in creating safe, supportive environments in our schools. Any reduction in support for this service risked compromising the development and security of our young people. That is why I made it a priority to ensure that the Schools Service continues in our area.”

He further emphasised, “This was one of my top commitments during my re-election campaign, and I stand by my promise to support our schools and young people. Maintaining the Schools Service is essential not only for the immediate safety and support it offers but also for the future success and well-being of our students. I will continue to fight for its future and to protect the best interests of our children.”

The importance of the Schools Programme was also supported by Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis, who highlighted the positive impact of the Schools Police Officers’ work. “I’m a strong believer in the work conducted by our Schools Police Officers – when you spend time speaking to the teams and to the schools who receive the service, their true value is clear,” said Dr Lewis. “While they do the important work of delivering lessons that help children and young people better understand complex societal matters such as violence against women and girls, they also submit referrals on matters of concern and ensure demand to our frontline response teams is cut in several ways – all while preventing unnecessary criminalisation of children.”

He added, “I share the Police and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to the Schools Service and I am delighted we are able to maintain this critical service in Dyfed-Powys.”

The Schools Programme, originally supported by the Welsh Government, has been a vital resource in delivering educational support and ensuring the well-being of students across the region. Now, thanks to Mr Llywelyn’s intervention, the future of this service appears secure in Dyfed-Powys, safeguarding the safety and success of young people for the foreseeable future.