Latest news with #GwentPolice
North Wales Live
4 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Anger as family of 10 'barged their way out of Welsh pub without paying bill'
A family of ten "barged their way" out of a popular Welsh pub without paying their full bill, the landlady has claimed. Kelly Jollife, who runs the Greyhound Inn in Usk, said the family visited the pub on Sunday, July 27. She alleged they each ordered a starter and a main course and consumed them completely before refusing to pay for anything other than the drinks. Kelly claimed they then "barged past" the pub's chefs before departing in two vehicles. Kelly, 49, who has been the landlady at the pub for eight years, said she was horrified by the "brazen" act of "selfishness". Police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of theft. Kelly said: "They looked at me as they were walking out as if to say, 'you can't do anything anyway so, tough'.", reports Wales Online. "When they first came in they were not particularly nice to begin with. I had explained to them it was table service but they kept insisting on coming up to the bar. That kind of thing. They were gonna do it their way. "So they ordered starters, mains and ate all the starters, then half way through their mains the waiter went to check if everything was ok, and they said, 'no it is all s**t. Everything is s**t. It is all just shocking'. "Then the waiter said 'do you want me to get the manager' to which they said, 'yes, but after we have finished'. "They proceeded to eat everything. We had 150 people in house, and 140 of them left happy. Everybody, was happy. "I was then called and I said 'they are going to have to come and speak with me. I want full payment - they have eaten everything'. "The waiter told them this and they replied with 'no - we are not paying. We will pay for the drinks but we are not paying for the food'. This was obviously unacceptable. "All of a sudden they started walking out. I went straight to the table with the card machine to say 'you need to pay this bill' - it was £328 worth. They put £44 on the table in cash, and walked out. "I followed them down the path with some of my chefs as they are bigger than me, and one of the older guys in the family started fronting up the chefs. "The chefs just said 'look, you are an embarrassment, just pay the bill'. "There was not a fist fight or anything, it was mainly verbal. As I was shouting 'you need to pay your bill' they got in the car and left the property." Kelly said she is in contact with Gwent Police regarding the allegation, and said there had been an overwhelming response on social media after she posted about the incident. She said the post was aimed at "embarrassing" those allegedly involved, adding: "It is not the way to behave." She added: "But the response I had on Facebook was just phenomenal. Everybody is so supportive." A Gwent Police spokesperson said: "We're investigating an allegation of theft in Usk Road, Llantrisant, which occurred around 3pm on Sunday 27 July. "Officers are speaking to several people to establish the circumstances and enquiries continue."
South Wales Argus
7 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Gucci bag 'full of crack cocaine' found on man near school
Gwent Police were called after an alarm went off at a primary school in Gilfach at 3.27am on June 1. When officers attended, Declan Gordon was spotted on a path near the school entrance. He gave the officers his name, but bolted when they went to search him. Gordon was tackled to the ground and arrested. He was found to have a Gucci bag underneath his clothes, and inside was a 134.48 gram rock of crack cocaine, as well as £815 in cash, weighing scales, empty snap bags, and two smaller rocks of crack cocaine totalling 30.03 grams. They also seized 0.57 grams of cannabis and an iPhone. The prosecution said the larger rock of crack cocaine had an estimated value of £13,448 if sold in street deals, whilst the remaining amount was worth £3,030. His home was searched, and police seized a set of nunchucks. Declan Gordon had crack cocaine worth over £16,000 stashed in a Gucci bag. (Image: Gwent Police) Gordon, 25, of Bryn Teg in Bargoed, gave a no comment interview, but later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. Mr Rees, appearing for the defendant, said Gordon was 'lightly convicted' – having only one previous conviction and no cautions or convictions for drug trafficking. He said Gordon's time in custody had been made more difficult due to his 'cognitive limitations' and 'learning difficulties'. A probation service report deemed Gordon was at low risk of reoffending, Mr Rees added. Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Gordon to a total of 27 months imprisonment.
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Family of 10 'barge out' of pub in brazen dine and dash after £320 meal
Kelly Jollife, landlady of the Greyhound Inn in Usk, has claimed a family of ten ate at the pub on Sunday, July 27, before refusing to pay their bill and leaving The landlady of a well-known Welsh pub has accused a family of ten of "barging their way" out without settling their £320 bill. Kelly Jollife, who manages the Greyhound Inn in Usk, recounted that the family visited the pub on Sunday, July 27. She alleges they each ordered a starter and a main course, consumed them fully, but then refused to pay for anything other than their drinks. Kelly claimed they then "barged past" the pub's chefs before departing in two cars. The 49 year old, who has been the landlady at the pub for eight years, expressed her shock at the "brazen" act of "selfishness". Police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of theft. Kelly said: "They looked at me as they were walking out as if to say, 'you can't do anything anyway so, tough'. "When they first came in they were not particularly nice to begin with. I had explained to them it was table service but they kept insisting on coming up to the bar. That kind of thing. They were gonna do it their way. So they ordered starters, mains and ate all the starters, then half way through their mains the waiter went to check if everything was ok, and they said, 'no it is all s**t. Everything is s**t. It is all just shocking'. "Then the waiter said 'do you want me to get the manager' to which they said, 'yes, but after we have finished'. They proceeded to eat everything. We had 150 people in house, and 140 of them left happy. Everybody, was happy. "I was then called and I said 'they are going to have to come and speak with me. I want full payment - they have eaten everything'. The waiter told them this and they replied with 'no - we are not paying. We will pay for the drinks but we are not paying for the food'. This was obviously unacceptable. "All of a sudden they started walking out. I went straight to the table with the card machine to say 'you need to pay this bill' - it was £328 worth. They put £44 on the table in cash, and walked out. I followed them down the path with some of my chefs as they are bigger than me, and one of the older guys in the family started fronting up the chefs. "The chefs just said 'look, you are an embarrassment, just pay the bill'. There was not a fist fight or anything, it was mainly verbal. As I was shouting 'you need to pay your bill' they got in the car and left the property." Kelly revealed she has contacted Gwent Police about the alleged incident, and said there had been a tremendous reaction on social media after she shared details of what happened, reports Wales Online. She explained the post was designed to "embarrassing" those supposedly involved, stating: "It is not the way to behave." She continued: "But the response I had on Facebook was just phenomenal. Everybody is so supportive." A spokesperson for Gwent Police stated: "We're investigating an allegation of theft in Usk Road, Llantrisant, which occurred around 3pm on Sunday 27 July. Officers are speaking to several people to establish the circumstances and enquiries continue."
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Urgent hunt for woman who was last seen at Wetherpoon pub days ago
Police have issued an urgent appeal for a missing woman who was last seen at a Wetherspoon pub days ago. Janine Evans, 53, was last seen at the busy Prince of Wales pub on St Mary Street Cardiff city centre on Monday afternoon but disappeared shortly after. Ms Evans was wearing black trainers, blue jeans, a light-coloured jumper and a black coat. She has been described as 5ft 3" tall and of a medium build with blonde, wavy collar-length hair, blue eyes and wearing glasses. Officers from Gwent Police say they are concerned for Ms Evan's welfare as she has not been home since Sunday. She was last seen at the busy Prince of Wales pub on St Mary Street Cardiff city centre (pictured) In an appeal, South Wales Police said: 'Janine Evans, 53, is missing and there is concern for her welfare. 'Janine was last seen at home in Ebbw Vale on Sunday morning and then at the Prince of Wales pub on St Mary Street Cardiff city centre at 4.40pm on Monday. 'She was wearing black trainers, blue jeans, a light-coloured jumper, a black padded coat which appears to have a green lining and a black shoulder bag. 'Anyone who has seen Janine or has information on her whereabouts is asked to please contact us.'
ITV News
2 days ago
- ITV News
Tradespeople say tool theft is ‘destroying' lives as millions of pounds worth stolen across UK
Words by Benedict Elliot Tradespeople have hit out at thieves who target vans storing tools and kit. It comes as one Welsh police force reports a 31% rise in incidents. Gwent Police recorded an increase from 29 to 38 incidents while a Freedom of Information (FoI) request found that at least £40 million worth of tools were stolen across the UK from 2023-2024. It means almost four in five tradespeople have suffered a tool theft. Plumber Robbie Hawkins was left feeling 'violated' after more than £3,000 worth of tools was stolen from his van. Just after midnight on May 8, his Transit Custom van that was parked near his home was broken into by thieves who used a master key to unlock the side door. Equipment including his £2,000 press gun and all his power tools, drills and angle grinders were taken within a minute. 'Everything I had worked for all my life was taken away from me,' said Mr Hawkins. The 38-year-old continued: 'This is happening to tradespeople in Wales every day. 'I broke down when I realised what happened. I've been left with nightmares and PTSD, and I now have this constant feeling of anxiety when I go to work.' Mr Hawkins, who works across mid and south Wales, has since considered leaving the trades industry. He said: 'I've been a plumber since I was 16 and I love my job, but it's not practical to carry on when you lose income and have to buy new tools. This shouldn't be happening to hard working people. 'These are tools you need to stay in work so you can feed your family.' CCTV footage showing a man taking tools from Mr Hawkins' parked van was handed to police. Officers are investigating but no arrests have yet been made. 29 out of 45 police forces in the UK responded to the FoI request. In Wales, Gwent Police recorded a 31% increase and North Wales Police recorded a 6% decrease, while South Wales Police and Dyfed-Powys Police did not respond. But the insurance company who submitted the FoI request, Direct Line, said the number of tool thefts is likely higher, as not all thefts are reported to police. Electrician Lee Jones, 38, who works across Cardiff and Gwent, estimates he lost £5,000 of tools when his van was broken into earlier this year in Llandaff. The 38-year-old, from Cardiff, said: 'It happened in broad daylight. Thieves pulled up in a car behind my van outside a property I was working in. It took them 30 seconds to cut a hole in the back door of my van, and two minutes to empty it.' Mr Jones said he was unable to work for a few weeks after the incident as he had to replace the tools. He said: 'It's not just a financial impact. It's your career. It's everything." Some tradespeople have taken it upon themselves to tackle tool theft. Carpenter Matthew Griffin, from Swansea, has been encouraging tradespeople in Wales to register the serial numbers of their tools on his app, Tool Archive, so second-hand buyers can check if they are buying stolen tools. The 27-year-old said: 'My friends have had to cancel holidays to replace stolen tools. I've seen careers ruined and people pushed to breaking point. 'My father is also a tradesman and I've seen him distraught when he's had his tools stolen. The gangs who are doing this do not give a care in the world." Trades United, a campaign group, said it wants to see more restrictions on selling second-hand power tools at bare minimum prices. The problem, they said, is that thieves can sell tools at unregulated car boot sales without worrying about getting caught. Shoaib Awan, a gas engineer from London, set up the group after his Transit Custom van was broken into twice. The second time, £8,500 worth of tools was stolen from him, forcing him to cancel a holiday with his wife and two young daughters. He explained: 'Tools worth thousands of pounds are being sold for less than 50 quid in cash at markets and car boot sales. What some tradespeople don't realise is that they buy it from there, then they get their vans broken into, and it ends up there again. 'It is a plague. It's forcing tradespeople to leave the industry. Britain is losing a lot of skilled workers because of this.' A South Wales Police spokesperson said: 'We urge people not to buy what could be stolen tools. Thieves will look to sell items on to make quick money, and this form of theft will continue for as long as there are willing buyers. 'General advice for tradespeople to reduce the chances of being targeted by thieves is to take measures, such as parking in well lit areas, ideally on private driveways, and always ensure vehicles are secured when unattended.' Mark Summerville, from Direct Line, an insurance company supporting tradespeople, said: 'It's important that all instances of tool theft are reported so police forces and lawmakers understand the full extent of the issue helping them to identify offender patterns and to allocate resources to combat these crimes. "Our data shows the value of each tool theft claim is actually on the rise, even though the overall volume of claims is moving downwards. 'Further research from us found that 75 per cent of people would not feel confident identifying stolen tools being resold. Tighter rules around providing proof of purchase when selling second-hand tools could help make it harder for criminals to resell goods and could help reduce the frequency of these thefts.'
