
Nerys Lloyd jailed for Haverfordwest paddleboarder deaths
Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, organised the stand-up paddleboarding tour on the River Cleddau in October 2021, despite 'extremely hazardous conditions' and weather warnings.
She failed to warn the group about a weir on the route or how to navigate it.
The participants were swept over, with some becoming trapped under the fast-moving water.
Paul O'Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, died.
Paul O'Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, died (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
Lloyd, from Aberavon, was the owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, which organised the tour.
The prosecution, Mark Watson KC, told the court that Lloyd and Mr O'Dwyer, who helped act as an instructor, were 'not remotely qualified' and that the stretch of river had a 'real potential for danger.'
David Elias KC, defending, quoted a statement written by Lloyd to the court on Wednesday.
He said: "I take full blame (for the incident) that meant four extremely special individuals are not here today.
"The pain for me has been unbearable but the pain for the families unmeasurable.
"There were nine people on the river that day and every one of them is a victim."
She admitted four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act in March.
She was handed the jail sentence by Mrs Justice Dame Mary Stacey at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, April 23.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
Dog kills five lambs and attacks sixth near Powys village
Five lambs have been killed in a suspected dog attack on common land near a Powys village. The farm animals were set upon on Llanbister Common sometime between Monday (June 2) and Wednesday (June 4). A sixth lamb is likely to euthanised by a vet due to the severity of its injuries, police have said. Dyfed-Powys Police said its officers are investigating and have shared distressing photos of the lambs on social media. The livestock worrying incident has prompted a strong warning from police to dog owners. Police emphasised that livestock worrying, where a dog attacks or chases livestock causing injury or suffering, is a criminal offence. "This isn't just a threat to a farmer or landowner's livelihood, it's also a dangerous situation for the animals involved, and could lead to more risk if the animals get onto the road," police said. "Always keep your dog under control around other animals and if you see a dog on the loose worrying animals, report it to us. "Additionally, the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act requires all dogs to be on a lead on public access land." Anyone with information about the livestock worrying incident at Llanbister Common is asked to report it to police online, emailing 101@ or by telephoning 101 quoting reference 25000459625


Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Police found counterfeit tobacco in his car but it was nothing next to what they discovered at home
Police found counterfeit tobacco in his car but it was nothing next to what they discovered at home Kieran Pritchard's car was stopped by police but it led officers to search his home as well Kieran Pritchard (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) The discovery of counterfeit tobacco in the back of a man's car led police to discover he was a cocaine dealer, a court has heard. Officers found scores of packages of counterfeit tobacco in Kieran Pritchard's car which he said he was buying cheaply from abroad and selling on. An investigation showed he had also been dealing cocaine over the previous 18 months. Swansea Crown Court heard Pritchard got involved in dealing to pay off debts incurred by his brother following his sibling's incarceration, and that "he believed he was doing the right thing". David Singh, prosecuting, told the court that on December 29, 2023, police stopped Pritchard's Vauxhall Astra on the road between Llandysul and Pencader and found 73 packages of what was purported to be Golden Virginia and Amber Lead tobacco. He said an examination of the tobacco found it to be counterfeit. Pritchard told the officers he was buying tobacco cheaply from overseas and selling it on at a profit, making £5 per pack. The court heard that police subsequently carried out a search of the defendant's house and found a quantity of cocaine, empty bags, weighing scales, and £29,000 in cash. Pritchard's phones were seized and examined and they showed not only his dealing in tobacco but his involvement in cocaine supply over the previous 18 months. Article continues below The prosecutor said that in his police interview the 33-year-old defendant told officers he had turned to dealing as he felt "obliged" to pay debts owed by his brother following his incarceration. The defendant also said he had bought the cocaine "from a lorry driver" to be sold on at a profit. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter Keiran Pritchard, of Heol y Gaer, Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply counterfeit tobacco, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and possession of criminal property - namely cash - when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions. Kate Williams, for Pritchard, said it was unlikely the defendant would have become involved in the offending had he not felt obliged to pay off his brother's debts, adding: "He believed he was doing the right thing". She said her client had a good work ethic and said a period of immediate incarceration would have a significant impact on his young daughter. Recorder Christopher Felstead said he was sorry for the impact a custodial sentence would have on Pritchard's daughter but told the defendant that was something he had brought on himself when he chose to get involved in Class A drug dealing. With a one-quarter discount for his guilty pleas Pritchard was sentenced to 40 months in prison. He will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. A proceeds of crime investigation will now be launched into the defendant's finances. Article continues below


Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Powys County Times
A470 in Powys closed after Volkswagen crashes into wall
A main road in Powys was closed by Police after a Volkswagen crashed into wall. Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that the A470 near Builth Wells was closed both ways after reports of a 'single vehicle collision'. Officers attended the scene this morning (June 4) at 8am and found that a blue Volkswagen Tiguan Estate had crashed into a wall on the road between Builth Wells and Erwood. The road was closed in both directions until 9am however Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the one carriageway would remain closed while debris from the crash was cleared. A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 'Police attended a single vehicle road traffic collision which occurred at 8.10am, this morning, Wednesday June 4. 'A blue Tiguan Estate collided with a wall on the A470 near Builth wells. 'No injuries reported. 'The road was closed with one carriageway opening at 9.10am. 'The second carriageway remains closed while the vehicle is recovered and debris removed.'