THE HAVENS Electoral Ward in Pembrokeshire is set for a by-election on October 10, following the sad passing of the popular Councillor Peter Morgan.

This election has sparked significant interest due to the candidacy of controversial figure Mike Harris, alongside other notable candidates who bring diverse experiences and ambitions to the fore.

Mike Harris, who previously served as a councillor in Pontypool until 2017, is well-known for his controversial term, particularly for a Facebook post that wrongfully linked a local man to Jimmy Savile, suggesting a paedophilic connection.

This led to his censure by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and severe criticism from the ethics and standards committee for actions that brought his office into disrepute.

He faced backlash for derogatory comments about refugees, which were exposed in a WalesOnline report, highlighting his use of the term ‘rapefugees’ on social media.

Last week he defended his controversial comments on the Facebook group Pembrokeshire Musings, stating unremorsefully: “Turns out I was not far of the mark way back then!”

In regards to the false claims about a man being a sex offender he wrote: “Members of the group were supporters of known local paedophiles. Hence the link to Saville. They were miffed I exposed them. I hope that clears it up for you.”

He says that he has now changed his mind on gay adoption, saying he is now for it, and that his previous views, despite being controversial, had been supported by an Archbishop.

Since 2018, Harris and his wife Clare have operated Newgale Campsite. They have focused on enhancing guest facilities while maintaining the coastal charm, offering a variety of activities and welcoming families, groups, and pets.

Challenging Harris are candidates like Jony Griff, an independent focused on local issues, and Thomas James Hughes from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, who advocates for enhanced community services.

However, it is Nick Neumann of the Welsh Conservative Party who stands out with his impressive background and visionary projects.

Pembrokeshire-born Nick Neumann and his wife run Newgale Holidays, a self-catering, camping and beachside cafe located in one of Pembrokeshire’s most stunning coastal areas.

With a degree in agriculture and business, Neumann spent eight years developing Pembrokeshire Agrisolutions, a farming business that he established in July 2000, focusing on combinable crops, livestock, and residential property interests.

His career took him to China in 2008, where he worked for British Sugar plc as an agriculture development manager and later as director for the Asia Pacific region, gaining significant international experience.

Upon returning to Pembrokeshire in 2021, Neumann continued to expand his local business ventures.

His tourism enterprise at Newgale, which includes a 205-acre farm and a property portfolio under Assured Shorthold Tenancy, has recently gained planning approval for a holiday lodge development.

As the by-election approaches, the voters of The Havens face a big decision. The election not only serves as a reflection on the candidates’ past actions but also on their visions for the area’s future services, development and sustainability.

This by-election represents a pivotal moment in that small coastal community, at a time when key issues such as the future of road through Newgale, and the proposed DARC deep space radar project in Brawdy are being discussed.

Watch this space.

A 21-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest who breached a sexual harm prevention order and possessed a burner phone containing indecent images of children has been jailed for 16 months.

Euwyn Draper, of Goat Street, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, 26th September. This follows his previous conviction for making and distributing indecent images of children. In April, Draper had received a six-month suspended sentence and was ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

As part of his sentence, Draper was also subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. The order prohibited him from using any internet-enabled devices not registered with the police, deleting internet history or applications, and holding social media accounts under false names.

During his initial registration, Draper informed police that he only owned an Xbox and a mobile phone capable of internet access. However, he was later advised to delete a second Instagram account, which he had registered under an alias, and a Snapchat account due to the app’s auto-deleting messages.

In an earlier hearing, the court was informed that between 5th May and 10th July, the e-safe software on Draper’s registered phone flagged multiple screenshots showing the Snapchat logo. The defendant admitted to having used Snapchat on his phone, despite knowing this was in breach of his prevention order, before deleting the app.

A subsequent police visit to Draper’s home uncovered a second, unregistered phone hidden under his pillow. The accounts on this phone matched those on his registered device. Draper claimed it was an old phone he had “forgotten about” and believed to be non-functional.

Officers discovered a total of eleven indecent images of children across Draper’s devices. Seven of these were classified as the most serious Category A images, three as Category B, and one as Category C. According to Prosecutor Emily Bennett, these images were created in November and December 2023, prior to the imposition of the sexual harm prevention order.

Draper pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and four counts of making indecent images of children.

In his defence, it was argued that Draper had not yet had the opportunity to engage in rehabilitation work to address his offending. “He now acknowledges he has an unhealthy interest and a compulsion to view the material,” said defence barrister Dan Griffiths. The court also heard that Draper had spent two months in custody and had been evicted from his home.

On Thursday, Draper was sentenced to 16 months in prison for the breaches of his sexual harm prevention order and for making indecent images of children.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is looking to secure a stronger economic future for the county with the approval of the Celtic Freeport final business case on Thursday 3^rd October.

The Freeport represents a new opportunity to help Wales continue to develop a globally competitive, inclusive and sustainable economy.

Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller, cabinet member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Approval on Thursday will represent the next step in our journey to delivering the Celtic Freeport.

“The Celtic Freeport is part of our close collaboration with both UK and Welsh Governments and is designed to create the right conditions for investment and growth both here in Pembrokeshire and across the South West Wales region.

“The scale of the opportunity ahead for the Milford Haven Waterway and for Pembrokeshire is enormous and we are determined to ensure we maximise the opportunity this coming energy revolution offers to grow the Pembrokeshire economy, to secure investment and to create and sustain jobs.

“Nationally, the Celtic Freeport will unleash the full green industrial potential of Wales, accelerating the decarbonisation of our most carbon intensive industries and bringing new opportunities to our communities.”

The Cabinet will take place on Thursday, October 3 at 2:00pm and people can watch via webcast.