Latest from Pembrokeshire Herald
Pembrokeshire Herald
3 days ago
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Sentence reduced for driver who caused baby's death outside Withybush Hospital
A WOMAN who caused the death of an eight-month-old baby outside Withybush Hospital has had her sentence reduced following an appeal. Bridget Curtis, aged 71, was originally sentenced to four years in prison in January for causing the death of Mabli Cariad Hall by dangerous driving. Curtis was also disqualified from driving for eight years. Bridget Curtis leaves court (Pic: BBC) The tragic incident took place on June 21, 2023, when Mabli was struck by a white BMW driven by Curtis, who had been at the hospital attending an outpatient appointment with her daughter. The court heard that Curtis had stopped the vehicle outside the hospital building. While attempting to help her daughter retrieve a handbag from the back of the car, Curtis inadvertently pressed the accelerator while the car was still running and not in park mode, causing the vehicle to accelerate rapidly to a speed of 29mph. The car following the accident at Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald) The car struck Mabli, who was in a pram with her father, Robert Hall, and his brother, Stephen. Mabli was airlifted initially to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before being transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where she died from severe traumatic brain injuries four days later. During the initial sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, Mabli's family expressed profound grief, describing life without her as 'horrendous.' Her mother, Gwen Hall, poignantly spoke of Mabli as 'so bright, so beautiful, so full of love and life.' Curtis, who had held a clean driving licence for over 50 years and had no previous convictions, appeared via video link from HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire for her appeal. Her barrister, John Dye, argued the incident was the result of a 'lapse of concentration,' describing Curtis as 'absolutely devastated.' On Tuesday, three judges at the Court of Appeal ruled Curtis' original sentence was 'manifestly excessive,' reducing it to three years, with a seven-and-a-half-year driving ban. In response, Mabli's family expressed disappointment in the sentence reduction but acknowledged the court's decision to uphold the custodial sentence. 'We still face a life sentence without her,' they said in a statement. 'We again thank everyone who has supported us and helped ensure justice for Mabli Cariad.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
4 days ago
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Carmarthenshire honours local heroes at British Empire Medal ceremony
A SPECIAL presentation ceremony took place at County Hall on 29 May to honour two remarkable individuals who have been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of their outstanding service. The event, hosted by the newly appointed Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Dot Jones, marked her first official engagement and was attended by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, who presented the honours on behalf of His Majesty The King. The British Empire Medal, first established in 1917 and reintroduced in 2012, recognises individuals who have demonstrated hands-on, impactful contributions to their communities. Nominations come directly from the people who witness these contributions every day; colleagues, neighbours and friends, making the honour personal and meaningful. Mrs Marian Louise Evans was recognised for services to business. As founder and Managing Director of Elevate Business Consultancy, Mrs Evans has delivered transformational change across the sector. As a multi-award-winning professional, she has been widely acknowledged for her leadership, particularly in championing women in business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she offered vital support to over 2,000 businesses through free resilience sessions and online content, reaching over 300,000 people each month. Her voluntary work has earned her titles such as UK Mentor of the Year and Inspirational Woman of the Decade. She received her medal from the Lord-Lieutenant and was presented with flowers on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council by Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Chloe Faulkner. Miss Judith Harvey received the British Empire Medal for services to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Having begun her career as one of the UK's first female wardens, she has dedicated her life to conservation, land management and inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders. As Head Warden since 2012, Miss Harvey has mentored countless apprentices and volunteers, led significant restoration projects and worked passionately to protect the park's ecosystems and heritage. She was presented with her medal by the Lord-Lieutenant and flowers from Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Zuzzana Radkowska, before addressing the audience in a moving speech. Closing the ceremony, the Chair of the Council praised both recipients for their service and reflected on the importance of role models in public life, especially for women and girls. She noted the growing presence of women in leadership roles, while recognising that progress must continue at all levels of local democracy. Their achievements, she said, lay a strong foundation for others to follow. Cllr Phillip Hughes, Cabinet Member for Organisation & Workforce, said: 'These awards are a true testament to the power of local action and leadership. Marian and Judith exemplify the values of dedication, service and inspiration. We are proud to celebrate their success and the example they set for others in our communities.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
GPs across Wales trained to spot endometriosis earlier
GPs across Wales are being trained to better recognise the symptoms of endometriosis as part of a national initiative to improve women's health and reduce diagnostic delays. Endometriosis affects one in 10 women in Wales and is a key priority in the Welsh Government's Women's Health Plan, launched six months ago. The condition—often painful and difficult to diagnose—can significantly impact women's daily lives, careers, and relationships. The new expert-led training programme, delivered through Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), has already led to a 43% increase in participating GPs' knowledge of endometriosis. It has also improved their confidence in discussing symptoms and treatment options with patients. Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, said: 'Women have told us they feel unheard and their symptoms dismissed. This training helps ensure women's voices are at the heart of their healthcare, empowering GPs to provide better, more responsive care. Endometriosis can have a devastating effect on women's lives. Through our Women's Health Plan, we are committed to delivering real improvements and tackling inequality.' Dr Mirka Slavska, obstetrics and gynaecology consultant at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, who led the training, said: 'We were pleased to deliver training that covered differential diagnosis, referral pathways, and the latest diagnostic and treatment options. We also introduced the Endometriosis Cymru symptom reporting tool. The positive feedback we received underlines the importance of practical, up-to-date training for frontline healthcare professionals.' Endometriosis is one of eight priority areas identified in the Women's Health Plan, which aims to improve care and support for women and girls across Wales. Since the plan's launch in December 2024, key milestones include: Early-stage work to develop a women's health hub in every health board area by March 2026 Establishment of Wales' first Women's Health Research Centre, funded by Health and Care Research Wales A dedicated research call focused on communication in women's healthcare At the Everywoman Festival in Cardiff today (Saturday, 7 June), Dr Helen Munro, Clinical Lead for Women's Health in Wales, provided an update on the development of the new health hubs: 'Meeting women's needs throughout their lives will be at the core of our new women's health hubs. These hubs will bring together professionals and services in community settings, with local population needs and existing infrastructure shaping their design and delivery.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Reform councillor hits the ground running in Carmarthenshire
Michelle Beer outlines first initiatives and vows to bring fresh energy to West Wales politics REFORM UK councillor Michelle Beer has wasted no time settling into her new role after a shock by-election win in the Lliedi ward of Llanelli — launching a series of community initiatives and pledging to be 'visible, accessible, and accountable' to local people. Less than two weeks after her election to Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Beer has begun holding meetings with residents, responding to casework, and setting out her plans for the ward — including a new monthly litter-picking scheme and a pledge to host open-door surgeries. Her first public surgery is due to take place on Monday, July 7 at Llanelli Town Hall from 10:00am to 11:30am. 'This isn't about party politics — it's about people,' said Cllr Beer. 'Lliedi deserves a councillor who shows up, listens, and works hard. I'm already speaking with residents, local businesses, community groups and public service teams to understand where the problems are and how we can start addressing them together.' Political shockwaves Beer's win — Reform UK's first council seat in Carmarthenshire — has caused ripples beyond the ward. Her 42.6% share of the vote not only unseated Labour from a previously safe patch but has also raised questions about whether Reform's support could now spread to other parts of South Wales. 'This result wasn't just a protest,' a local Reform supporter told The Herald. 'People feel let down by the status quo and are responding to someone who speaks plainly and turns up.' Some Labour activists privately admit they were 'caught off guard' by the scale of the swing, which saw their candidate pushed into second place with just 23.4% of the vote. From ministry to council chamber Cllr Beer's journey into politics is far from conventional. A former marketing consultant and mother-of-four, she stepped away from business to attend the Bible College of Wales and support her family, including her husband Gareth — a Reform UK parliamentary candidate in 2024. Now, she says, her focus is squarely on community service and delivering on local issues, not national debates. 'I've always believed in servant leadership,' she said. 'That means being present, being transparent, and making decisions in the interests of the people who put their trust in you.' Ward priorities Top of her list are improvements to street cleanliness, stronger links with community policing teams, and exploring how local services can better support families and older residents. She also plans to work closely with fellow Lliedi councillor Rob James — an independent — and says cross-party cooperation is essential: 'I'm not here to argue for the sake of it. I want to work with anyone who puts Lliedi first.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Youth custody crisis : Parc Prison offers rare progress amid widespread failures
Children held in English youth prisons face long cell time, little trust in staff – but Bridgend's Parc offers glimmer of hope A MAJOR report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons has exposed alarming failings across the youth justice system in England and Wales – revealing that many children held in custody feel unsafe, isolated, and unable to build basic trust with staff. The report, published on Tuesday (June 10), followed inspections at three Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) – Wetherby in West Yorkshire, Werrington in Staffordshire, and Parc in Bridgend, Wales. While conditions in the English institutions were found to be deteriorating, inspectors described Parc as a clear outlier, with more structured routines, stronger staff relationships, and significantly more time spent out of cells. CHILDREN LOCKED UP, IGNORED AND FAILED At Wetherby and Werrington, children reported being locked in their cells for up to 21 hours a day, often alone and without any meaningful conversation with staff. Many said they did not feel safe. The use of segregation was widespread, with some children spending over 100 days separated from others, in conditions bordering on solitary confinement. The report concluded that chronic staff shortages, excessive redeployment, and poor implementation of national care frameworks had eroded any chance of building positive relationships. In some cases, boys were only spoken to when being escorted between rooms. Dining alone in cells was the norm, and staff were frequently rotated, breaking continuity of care. One boy told inspectors: 'I haven't had a proper conversation with a single officer since I arrived.' PARC: A DIFFERENT PICTURE In sharp contrast, HMP & YOI Parc in Bridgend, operated by G4S, was praised for providing more stability and structure. Children at Parc typically spent 7–9 hours out of their cells on weekdays, and up to 8 hours even on weekends — double the freedom seen in English YOIs. Officers at Parc worked in consistent units, enabling them to build familiarity and trust with the boys they supervised. The report said: 'Children were out of their cells for much longer every day, the rules were well established, and relationships were stronger.' Staff at Parc had a better understanding of the Framework for Integrated Care, and children could access education, health support, and therapeutic activities. Importantly, even children placed in separation units at Parc continued to receive education and were not locked in cells all day — a standard not met in England. However, inspectors still found room for improvement at Parc. Literacy and numeracy outcomes remained below expectations, and while staff were more consistent, not all were effectively trained in trauma-informed care. NACRO: SYSTEMIC FAILURE MUST BE ADDRESSED Reacting to the report, the crime reduction charity Nacro said the youth justice system is now in a 'growing state of crisis.' Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Nacro, said: 'Self-harm, violence and isolation are all major issues in the youth estate. Children need adults they can trust – yet this report shows they are being failed. The number of children who say they feel unsafe in custody has doubled in a year. That must change.' Nacro, which operates in more than 40 prisons across the UK, including Wales, urged the Government to ensure that youth custody is used only as a last resort, and that all children in detention are given a safe and rehabilitative environment. EDUCATION FAILURES ADD TO THE PROBLEM In addition to prison conditions, the report drew attention to widespread failures in education provision within the youth estate. A separate December 2024 progress inspection at Parc noted reasonable progress on most issues, but flagged persistent shortcomings in teaching quality, literacy strategies, and reintegration planning. The education watchdog Estyn, in its annual prison report, also raised concerns about inconsistent teaching and leadership at Parc and HMP Cardiff. Despite some pockets of good practice, inspectors said many learners were not reaching basic levels of literacy or numeracy and that opportunities for purposeful education remained too limited. Inspectors recommended that education providers and prison staff work more closely together to identify learning needs, plan better lessons, and give young people meaningful qualifications before release. WEAPONS, VIOLENCE AND RISING DANGER IN ENGLAND The severity of the problems in England was underscored by new data from Wetherby, where nearly 900 improvised weapons were seized in a single year. Staff recorded over 1,100 restraint incidents, and classroom time was lost on more than 12,000 occasions due to fights, lockdowns, or unsafe conditions. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: 'This report sets out in stark terms the failure by the Youth Custody Service to create environments in which children in YOIs can form positive, appropriate relationships with authoritative, well-trained and well-supported staff.' He added: 'In 2018, my predecessor reported that children who had these relationships with staff were likely to be motivated to engage with behaviour management schemes. Seven years on, behaviour management is an increasing challenge.' WALES: A MODEL FOR REFORM? Despite Parc's relative success, campaigners warn it must not be seen as a reason for complacency. Children in Wales are still subject to the same overarching policies and pressures from the Ministry of Justice and Youth Custody Service. And while Parc offers some of the best practice in the UK, its lessons have yet to be properly implemented elsewhere. The report calls on the UK Government — and by implication, the Welsh Government in its devolved responsibilities — to: End long-term cell confinement of children Ensure every child receives at least 15 hours of education per week Improve staff training in mental health and trauma-informed care Phase out harmful segregation and separation practices Reduce custodial use and invest in community alternatives Parc is not perfect — but it is proof that a better approach is possible. While most YOIs across England continue to fail children, Wales has the opportunity to lead by example. With political will and investment, Bridgend's example could be the start of a much-needed transformation in how we treat the most vulnerable young people in custody.
