'Iconic' Pembrokeshire building vandalized AGAIN
On April 26, the old library on St James Street in Narberth was allegedly broken into.
This comes after the derelict library was to be sold at an auction.
The incident was reported on April 26. (Image: Cllr Marc Tierney) Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Wellbeing of Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney said: 'We think somebody vandalised the library on April 26.
"Entry was seemingly gained by kicking in the side door, causing damage to the glass door and the external glass window.
'Crockery was smashed up and graffiti is there. We don't how much it will cost to clean and repair. The building was always going to be sold and is up for auction with John Francis.
'We all have stretched financial budgets, and this kind of criminal offence will cause taxpayers to pay more money. The incident feeds into this recent craze of people breaking into and destroying old derelict buildings.
'There seems to be a trend for people to come and poke about in these places. The police have been informed, and we don't need to be tolerating this kind of behaviour, especially on a residential street.
'I am quite disappointed myself. It's quite an iconic building which locals are familiar with. People are quite saddened that this happened."
Police saw broken windows and graffiti inside the building. (Image: Cllr Marc Tierney) According to Cllr Tierney, this is the first time the library has been vandalized, and Pembrokeshire County Council are keeping an eye on the property.
Police have confirmed they received reports of vandalism at the old library and revealed there was noticeable damage.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 'Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a burglary and vandalism at the old library on St James Street, Narberth, on April 26.
'Officers identified broken windows and graffiti inside the vacant building. Enquiries are ongoing.'
Following the incident, Cllr Tierney also posted on Facebook, stating the vandalism seen at the library has no place in Narberth and how the town prides itself on its sense of community.
Cllr Tierney wrote: 'This will be upsetting news for those who have fond memories of the building and for local residents. Ultimately, the cost of repair falls back onto local council taxpayers.
'The old library on St James Street will be sold at auction shortly following a recent cabinet decision. I hope there is still a chance it can provide a place for the community in future but until any sale is completed I have asked that security be stepped up.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Coward' jailed for robbing elderly deaf woman at Westminster Tube station in central London
A 'cowardly' robber has been jailed for targeting an elderly deaf woman on the escalators of Westminster Tube station in central London. Liam McGuicken, 53, stalked the victim in her 80s from behind as she travelled down towards the platform. Her companion, also deaf, was unaware of what had been occurring behind them. McGuicken put his hands against the woman's chest, pinning her against the handrail. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but turned her face away in fear. McGuicken reached into a coat pocket and stole her wallet before getting off of the escalator at the bottom. As he got an escalator back up to the London Underground station's exit, CCTV footage shows him rifling through the purse. McGuicken, of no fixed address, was arrested a month later at Sutton railway station after he was stopped by officers in connection with fare evasion. At Inner London Crown Court on Friday, he was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. British Transport Police Detective Inspector Alan Judd said: 'McGuicken sickeningly targeted an elderly deaf woman as she was making her way through the station, cowardly choosing to target a vulnerable woman for his own gain. 'I'm very pleased with the result, and I sincerely hope McGuicken takes this opportunity to change. 'His conviction sends a strong message that robbery will not be tolerated on the railway network.' Anyone who is the victim of a robbery or who witnessed one, can call BTP on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016.
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Street preacher who lost Spectator libel case to challenge High Court ruling
An Islamic street preacher who lost a High Court libel case against The Spectator and the magazine's associate editor has said he will be appealing against the decision. Mohammed Hegab, known online as Mohammed Hijab, sued the publication and Douglas Murray over an article that alleged he was a 'street agitator' who whipped up his followers and made disparaging comments about Hindus in the wake of the 2022 Leicester riots, which he denied. In a ruling last week, Mr Justice Johnson found that the article from September 2022 was 'defamatory' at common law, but dismissed the claim. He said: 'The publication has not caused, and is not now likely to cause, serious harm to the claimant's reputation. 'In any event, it is substantially true, and it is not materially inaccurate.' The judge also found that, as a witness, Mr Hegab was 'combative and constantly argumentative'. In his written judgment, he said: 'He sought, at every turn, to debate with counsel, responding to questions with rhetorical questions of his own, arguing his case rather than giving straightforward responses, and denigrating the character of the second defendant to whom he bears palpable personal animosity. 'I am satisfied that he lied on significant issues, with the consequence that his evidence, overall, is worthless.' In a YouTube video posted on Wednesday, Mr Hegab said he had 'learned a lot' from the process, adding that he would be appealing against the ruling. He said: 'I didn't expect it to go that way. I was very disappointed, very disheartened with the ruling.' He added: 'I will be appealing this judgment.' In the clip, Mr Hegab also accused the judge of being biased, adding that he had made the mistake of 'putting a bit too much trust in the justice systems in the West'. The defamation trial centred around a video Mr Hegab made amid violence between Muslims and Hindus in Leicester in the summer of 2022, which was sparked after India won a cricket match against Pakistan in August that year. In it, he said: 'If they believe in reincarnation … what a humiliation and pathetic thing for them to be reincarnated into some pathetic, weak, cowardly people like that. 'I'd rather be an animal. I'd rather be reincarnated as a grasshopper…' During the trial in London, Mr Hegab claimed it was clear from the context that he was not talking about Hindus, but Hindutva, an extremist far-right ideology. But Mr Justice Johnson said that Mr Hegab 'knew exactly what he was doing' and 'chose his words deliberately'.
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What we know as Paul Doyle faces 24 new charges over Liverpool car incident
Doyle, 53, of the West Derby area of Liverpool, is set to face trial in November. Paul Doyle, the man accused of being the driver who ploughed into crowds at the Liverpool FC victory parade, is facing an additional 24 charges. Doyle, 53, appeared via videolink from prison for the hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday. He was in tears as the charges, including two relating to alleged victims who were babies, were read out to him. He was originally charged with seven offences after the incident on Water Street in the city centre just after 6pm on Monday, 26 May. Doyle, wearing a grey T-shirt, did not enter any pleas during the hearing, which lasted about 20 minutes. He appeared to be struggling to speak through tears as he confirmed his name at the start of the hearing. Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC adjourned the case until 4 September, when Doyle is expected to enter pleas. Earlier this year, a provisional trial date was fixed for 24 November, and the case is expected to last three to four weeks. Doyle is reported to be a local businessman who has three children. He is believed to be a former Royal Marine who went on to become an IT security consultant. What happened during the Liverpool trophy parade crash? On 26 May, Liverpool's Premier League victory parade was the location of a a crash in the centre of the city. At around 6pm, Doyle allegedly drove a grey Ford Galaxy minivan into a crowd on Water Street, just after the open-top bus carrying Liverpool players had passed through the area. The vehicle, which had followed an ambulance through a temporarily lifted roadblock, struck pedestrians, injuring 134 people, including four children. Fifty people, among them an 11-year-old and a 17-year-old, were hospitalised, with four initially in serious condition. Firefighters lifted the vehicle to free three adults and one child trapped underneath at around 7pm – an hour after the crash. Merseyside Police ruled out terrorism before Doyle was arrested and later charged on 29 May. What is Paul Doyle charged with and what are the punishments? Doyle, whose full name is Paul Desmond Sanders Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, was previously charged with six counts that are all contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against The Person Act 1861. But the new indictment, which was not read out in court, has 31 counts relating to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77. Doyle is charged with 19 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, three counts of wounding with intent, one count of dangerous driving and one count of affray. Sentencing for the grievous bodily harm and wounding with intent offences can range from two to 16 years in prison, with a maximum of life imprisonment. Sentencing for these crimes depends on the court assessing the level of harm caused to the victim, both physical and psychological. Any aggravating factors can also affect a sentence, including whether a suspect has any previous convictions, any motivations for the offence and who it was carried out against, as well as the presence of children, and whether the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The court will also take into account mitigating factors like remorse, positive character, and any difficult personal circumstances. Dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, with sentencing ranging from a community order to the maximum two years. Someone convicted of this offence will also be disqualified from driving for a minimum of a year. Affray, a public order offence involving violence or the threat of violence, carries a maximum sentence of three years in custody in the UK. However, sentencing can range from a fine to a custodial sentence, depending on the severity and aggravating factor The CPS said the charges would be kept 'under review as the investigation progresses'.
