Latest news with #HMPBerwyn
Powys County Times
15-07-2025
- Powys County Times
Lexus driver jailed for causing crash on A470 at Brecon
A man from Brecon who caused a serious accident after he drove at excessive speed and in an erratic manner, has been jailed for 30 months. Kody Cook crossed a junction on the A470 near Brecon and clipped another car, causing them both to spin out. The driver of the other vehicle, Isabella George, suffered damage to her lung and spleen. The 21-year-old, who has never held a full driving licence, had already admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving with no insurance when he was brought before the court two days after the incident. Caitlyn Jones prosecuting explained how Cook had been driving his mother's Lexus on the afternoon of May 13. She said he drove at speed "in excess" of the speed limit, swerved to the left and right, stopped in the middle of the road, failed to use his indicators, and was seen to be arguing with a passenger. He continued to the junction of the B4602 and crossed the path of a Mini being driven by Ms George. The two vehicles clipped and spun, activating the airbags. Cook fled the scene, shouting he was sorry. He was arrested by police shortly afterwards and did not comment in interview. Ms Jones read out a victim impact statement from the victim, who was taken to hospital by ambulance. It said: "At the time, I felt I was going to die. I have never been in an accident, and I never want to ever again. "I have no control, and my life has been impacted by someone who didn't seem to care. Seeing this male standing in the road, shouting to his girlfriend he was sorry and going to phone his mum, but had no thought about me. "I always thought that people would stay and check on each other. He didn't even come anywhere near my car. I couldn't believe that he hadn't thought about me and what he could have done to me - I could have died." Paul Hewitt, defending, admitted it was "a highly dangerous manoeuvre" and it was "merciful" that Ms George did not suffer more serious injuries. Explaining that Cook is already on recall in HMP Berwyn, he continued: "He accepts his fate today, there's no question about what is going to happen to him and he tells me that when he is released, he is going to go back to Exeter where he is from." Mr Hewitt added: "He is a disqualified driver, he had no insurance, he should not have been driving that car, certainly should not have been driving in that manner." Sentencing Cook to 30 months in prison for the dangerous driving offence, Judge Shoman Khan told him: "Even before the collision itself, that type of driving shows a disregard for the risks to other road users." He continued: "You would have known, and a careful driver would have known, about the high level of care required to make this right turn. But you didn't show care. "You turned and pulled into the path of Miss George; there was nothing she could do to avoid you, and the severity of the collision is clear." Cook will also serve three months for driving while disqualified to run concurrently, and there was no separate penalty for the lack of insurance. He was told he will serve one year in prison with the rest on licence, and he was disqualified from driving for six years and three months. He must complete an extended retest before he can drive.
North Wales Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Leader Live
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
MP for Wrexham speaks out on pressures facing HMP Berwyn
MP for Wrexham Last week, along with colleagues on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, we took evidence from a number of witnesses for our enquiry into Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales. As MP for the constituency with the largest prison in the UK, HMP Berwyn, this session was particularly relevant to our area. I also wanted to hear the experiences of those representing people working in the prison and probation services. Berwyn faces pressures as it is increasingly being used to house the remand population from North-West England. The dynamics at Berwyn alongside its size is very different to jails like Swansea or Cardiff that tend to house inmates who are more local to the area. Furthermore, there have also been staffing challenges at Berwyn however recently the staffing levels have come close to a full complement. The importance of staffing and leadership was emphasised at all prisons. High recall rates in Wales are also putting pressure on the prison and probation services. There is no women's prison in Wales and we heard about the impact of this on women and their families. Welsh women are held in prisons in England, often meaning significant journeys for relatives wanting to visit them. Women from Wrexham for example, might be taken to HMP Styal near Manchester. A report entitled 'Time to Care' emphasised the importance of keeping close ties with families to support. Following on from this, I welcome the Justice Secretary's announcement on Thursday that the Government will take the recommendations of the Gauke report and introduce a presumption against custodial sentences of less than a year. As 77% of women sentenced to custody received a sentence of 12 months or less, this change should have a significant aspect on women. Having spoken to organisations working in our community like the Wallich and NACRO, I understand the issues around homelessness and reoffending and I am looking to work with them to see how we can strengthen prevention and rehabilitation efforts. As ever, if you have any queries or concerns or you have an issue that you would like me to try and assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 788854 or
Leader Live
28-05-2025
- Leader Live
Court: Flintshire man jailed for indecent images offences
Christopher Daniels, of Alyn Road, Buckley, appeared at Mold Crown Court via a video link from HMP Berwyn on Wednesday afternoon. The 51-year-old previously admitted making indecent images of children at category A, B and C. The charges also led to a breach of his SHPO, handed down in 2017. Dafydd Roberts, prosecuting, told the court that after being sentenced for making indecent images in 2017, Daniels was given a six month custodial sentence and a SHPO, which prevented him from using any file shares or anonymity software. In November 2022, North Wales Police searched Daniels' address and found indecent images, leading to his arrest. He was later released under investigation, but searches of his devices led to a total of 324 still images being found and one moving. A total of 147 were Cat A, 74 and the moving image were Cat B and there were 113 Cat C images. The children depicted were both male and female ranging from the ages of four to 12. When interviewed by police, Daniels continued to deny any knowledge of the images that were found on his devices. The defendant had six previous convictions for 13 offences. Myles Wilson, defending, told the court that Daniels has "unresolved personal trauma" from both childhood and adulthood. He was described as an "anxious individual" who has become "isolated in recent years" and has been "targeted by locals" near to where he lives. Mr Wilson also read out the conclusions of a psychiatric report on Daniels, which suggested he would benefit from "therapeutic intervention" and suggested that there was a realistic chance at rehabilitation. Daniels was described as being "desperate to get some help". Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands said that it was "abundantly" clear that Daniels didn't intend to comply with the initial SHPO. MOST READ: Dad describes how joy turned to terror and panic at Liverpool victory parade Man who had 'large kitchen knife' in public among those sentenced in court He said that Daniels' acts were "calculated" and "depraved", and that he showed "sophistication" in the way he stored them. Judge Rowlands added that there was "no realistic chance of rehabilitation at this time". Daniels was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, 12 for the Category A images and six for the breach of the SHPO. A new SHPO has been issued, which will last 10 years from the day of sentencing.
