Latest news with #South Wales
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Female prison officer admits inappropriate relationship with inmate
A female prison officer faces jail after admitting an 'inappropriate relationship' with an inmate. Megan Breen, 23, initially denied the fling with the unnamed prisoner, which happened while she was working at two prisons in Wales. But she later changed her plea to admit misconduct in a public office and will be sentenced for the offence next month. Breen was working at both HMP Usk, a category C jail, and nearby HMP Prescoed, an open prison, when the offence was committed. Both jails are in Gwent, South Wales. HMP Usk is a closed prison for adult male vulnerable inmates, who include sex offenders and convicted police officers. The charge states: 'While acting as a public officer, namely a prison officer, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification, [you] misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by having a relationship with a prisoner.' The crime was said to have taken place between February and May 2022. Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that a second allegation of illegally accessing a computer would not be proceeded. Breen, of Newport, Gwent, was released on bail but warned she could face jail when she returns to court to be sentenced. Misconduct in public office is a serious offence which in the most extreme cases carries a penalty of life imprisonment. Judge Carl Harrison ordered a pre-sentence report but told Breen that 'all sentencing options' remained open. HMP Usk houses 280 inmates and is managed jointly with HMP Prescoed, which is three miles away and houses offenders serving the final term of their sentences before being released. Female prison officers have been allowed to work inside male establishments since the early 1980s and there are currently about 15,000 women employed in jails in England and Wales.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Former disused castle in South Wales now 'breathtaking, real-life Disney castle'
Tucked away in Fforest Fawr is a formerly disused castle that now rises from the ancient beech wood trees like a "vision from a fairy tale" or something from a Disney movie. Castell Coch, or "Red Castle", is well-known for its highly decorated interiors and rich furnishings. It is a popular attraction, regularly voted by the public as their "favourite building in Wales", according to Cadw. Describing the South Wales castle, the Welsh Government service added: "Given free rein by the third Marquess of Bute, architect William Burges didn't hold back. "The highly decorated interiors and rich furnishings of Castell Coch make it a dazzling masterpiece of the High Victorian era. "But it's no exotic folly. Underneath the mock-medieval trappings you can still trace the impressive remains of a 13th-century castle, once used as a hunting lodge by the ruthless Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare." The history behind Castell Coch Castell Coch, which is located above the village of Tongwynlais and can be seen from the M4, dates back to the 11th century. You can see Castell Coch from the M4. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) A Norman castle was originally built on the site to protect Cardiff and the route along the River Taff. The ruins of this castle were then acquired by John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, in 1760, as part of a marriage settlement, BBC Countryfile explains. "He commissioned the architect William Burges to rebuild the castle as a country residence – after having commissioned Burges to also design the reconstruction of Cardiff Castle," the BBC experts added. Burges then set about creating a "magnificent medieval fantasy" built around the two towers and a lofty hall from Gilbert de Clare's 13th-century fortress. Cadw explains: "He rebuilt the gatehouse, raised the height of the towers and equipped them with conical roofs topped with copper-gilt weathervanes. "He installed a wall-walk and a timber fighting gallery. "But this authentic recreation still came with all mod cons, including central heating. There was even a metal bell-pull for visitors to tug." However, the Earl of Bute fell out of love with the project before its completion, and with Burges dying suddenly in 1881, some rooms were never finished. The castle eventually fell into disuse until it was requisitioned for British and American troops during World War II. In 1950, the 5th Marquess of Bute placed the castle in the care of the Ministry of Works, and gave Cardiff Castle to the city, according to BBC Countryfile. The castle is now cared for by Cadw. Which TV shows and movies have been filmed at Castell Coch? Castell Coch recently featured on a list of "the 10 utterly breathtaking, real-life Disney castles from around the world", released by BBC Countryfile. And while it hasn't featured in any Disney movies or TV shows, it has played host to various film crews. The BBC used Castell Coch for the filming of Wolf Hall, starring Damian Lewis, while The Worst Witch was also filmed there. RECOMMENDED READING: The hidden South Wales lido that's sat abandoned for more than 50 years The lost South Wales village where abandoned church ruins are all that remains The abandoned South Wales coastal village that was 'devoured by sand' The South Wales castle has also featured in several episodes of Doctor Who, according to IMDb, including: Journey's End The Vampires of Venice Nightmare in Silver You can visit Castell Coch all year round, with ticket prices starting at £7.50 (free for Cadw members). For more information, visit the Cadw website (a link to which can be found above).
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Car dealership goes bust leaving drivers with 'faulty' motors
Drivers have been left out of pocket after a car dealership went out of business. Customers have told of their frustration - and hundreds of pounds in debts - after the collapse of S W Valley Motor Company in Hirwaun, Aberdare, in South Wales. The complaints come as Citroen and parent company Stellantis face mounting pressure and criticism from a consumer group for failing owners of cars embroiled in a nationwide 'stop-drive' safety recall. Some 96,000 UK owners of Citroen C3 and DS3 models produced between 2009 and 2019 were informed at the end of June that their vehicles are unsafe due to faulty airbags that recently caused the death of a driver in France. On June 20, Stellantis UK issued an urgent stop-drive order for these models, telling owners to park them up until the lethal parts could be replaced - and to seek alternative transport in the meantime. Among those who have been affected is Trisha Walker, who received a letter from Citroen telling her to no longer drive her car because of the new safety fears. Rather than be left with no mode of transport, she took out a loan to buy a replacement vehicle online - and opted for an offer by SW Valley Motor Company. But despite handing over a deposit of £750 for the car valued at £1,495, she has told of being left without despite promises from a representative of the firm a month ago. Ms Walker told ITV News Wales : 'The following day came and what happened? No car. He said something had come up and he'd delivered it further into the day. 'I haven't slept. I've gone 26 hours without sleeping because I'm worried about how I'm going to pay the one back. I feel stupid - stupid for trusting people. 'I'm in debt - one, because of Citroen because we were left stranded as a lot of other people have been left stranded, but also this man has left me further in debt as well.' Another SW Valley Motor Company client raising concerns after the business's apparent collapse is Holly Evans, who says she and her partner handed over £2,700 for a car after giving it a test drive. She told how the vehicle began making a 'strange noise' several days later and the garage owner Matthew Peachey agreed to repair it. Ms Evans said: 'He took the car and then we never got the car back. We got the car on June 9, he came and picked it up on the June 16, I think, eventually and we've never seen it again.' She said Mr Peachey had made 'excuse after excuse' for why the car had not been returned. The Daily Mail has attempted to contact SW Valley Motor Company for comment. The firm's listed phone number is currently not in service. ITV Wales said Mr Peachey had not responded directly to their questions but had told them of having 'lost his business despite trying every which way to save it', with 'spiralling costs' making it 'impossible to keep the business going'. He is also said to have told of having cars being repossessed and he never 'set out to cause anybody any upset', the programme reported. Lisa Webb, consumer law group for advice group Which?, said: 'There are some limits to what you can actually do in these cases. 'But if you do end up handing over your money, the best way to pay in these sorts of circumstances is by credit card. 'If it's £100 or more that you're spending, use a credit card because you do have slightly better protections at getting your money back.' Amid the recent Citroen problem, its parent firm Stellantis last month told affected drivers to immediately stop driving their cars due to the risk of airbags rupturing in a collision. The manufacturer highlighted potential dangers of metal shards and shrapnel being fired into the bodies of drivers and passengers. Owners were urged to contact their dealer - or Stellantis's recall helpline - to arrange a free airbag replacement. The Daily Mail has been contacted by owners this week who have told us their cars are not booked in with dealers until October. And some customers have told Which? they have continued driving their cars despite the safety risks - and the fact it is illegal to do so. According to information given to the Daily Mail by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), ignoring a stop-drive order or any safety recall could result in legal repercussions. If involved in an accident, drivers could also face prosecution, fine, penalty points or a driving ban. Insurers could also refuse claims on the grounds that drivers are responsible for roadworthiness of their vehicles. Stellantis said all impacted Citroen models should be collected on the back of transporters or truck arranged by dealerships, or that mechanics visit owners' homes to carry out airbag replacements. It also informed the Daily Mail that Peugeot garages are now repairing recalled Citroens to accelerate the process, while the RAC - its official breakdown partner - is providing at-home airbag replacements too. A Stellantis spokesperson said: 'The company's focus remains on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible. 'Our Citroen network is fully engaged in maximising the number of cars that can be completed every day and, to increase our repair capacity even further and minimise as much as possible the impact on customers, our Peugeot network is now authorised to replace airbags on these cars in addition to at home options. 'For each and every customer, we discuss options to support mobility, recognising that every driver has specific requirements. These options include replacement airbags at a dealership or at home, courtesy car, support for other mobility options and recovery. We give priority to those with the most urgent needs.' A DVSA spokesman also commented: 'We are working with Citroen to make sure that everyone with these vehicles knows that they can't use this model of car until the necessary repair work has been carried out.' A Department for Transport spokesman added: 'We understand how frustrating these recalls are for those affected. 'The safety of those drivers and their families remains the Transport Secretary's top priority. She and the Future of Roads Minister are actively engaging with manufacturers and industry leaders to ensure any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.'
Telegraph
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Charley Hull delivers best major performance but plays bridesmaid to Miyu Yamashita
For the second time in three years, Charley Hull had to face up to the agony of finishing second at the Women's Open after she was denied by the inspired Miyu Yamashita. Yet credit to the Englishwoman for her remarkable recovery from a virus that saw her faint on the course three times in France last month and struggle to make it here feeling anywhere near 100 per cent. As bouncebacks go, this was so almost the stuff of legend as the 29-year-old shrugged off losing almost a stone in weight and 10 per cent in swing speed. 'Listen, coming into this week I didn't think I was going to make the cut,' Hull said, after a 69 left her on nine-under and two shots short. 'That's the truth of it. I wasn't hitting it very well and I couldn't prepare as well as I wanted to because I was feeling so poorly. 'I obviously collapsed three times at the last major [three weeks previously in Evian-les-Bains] and still wasn't feeling well when I got here on Sunday. So I think I've done well, and considering my mindset coming into it, I'm pretty proud of myself.' As she should be. Naturally, there will be hurt, because this was her fourth runner-up finish in the majors and she is understandably fed up with being the bridesmaid. But when Hull reflects, she may well look on this as her best major to date. Certainly, Hull should take so much from this, not least the gratitude from the South Wales links for giving it the gripping contest it craved as Royal Porthcawl hosted its biggest-ever event. What a finale this was, as heavy early drizzle gave way to glorious sunshine, the winds gusted and the protagonists rose to the challenge. On any other day, against any other rival, Hull would probably have prevailed and lifted her first major title. But as Hull tore into the three-shot overnight deficit and the crowd responded to the home heroics, Yamashita, the world No 15 who turned 24 on Saturday, simply refused to move aside. The Japanese player's only bogey was on the 17th when the trophy was all but secured and in tension such as this – and, indeed, in conditions such as this – this 70 signified a performance of the very highest quality. Yes, Yamashita was on the better side of the draw – the compiled scores of the later-early starters were almost two shots lower than the other half in the opening rounds – but nobody could deny that the winner was worthy. The guts she displayed with the marauding Hull in pursuit was summed up on the 13th when she holed a 15-footer for a par. That came a few minutes after Hull had converted from a similar distance on the 14th and at that stage it appeared that the favourite of the galleries was about to draw level. 'I had goosebumps,' Hull said. HERE WE GO! Charley Hull is closing the gap again! 💪 — Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) August 3, 2025 Again with good reason. History was beckoning. Nobody in the female majors had come back and triumphed after being 11 shots behind at halfway. From there, Hull simply went for everything and so nearly pulled it off. Back-to-back bogeys on the 16th and 17th eventually did for her challenge, but how the locals took this gallant competitor to their hearts. She may have been caught by Yamashita's compatriot Minami Katsu, but there was only one gallant swashbuckler out there making a fight of it. 'I feel like I'm kind of insane sometimes,' Hull said. 'I can hit wayward shots, but I can get up-and-down and stuff, so it's cool. I didn't look at the leaderboards once today and didn't even know where I was walking down the last. I was chasing and wanted to stay in that mindset. It didn't come off but to shoot a low score in today's weather was great anyway, but to do it under that pressure, I think that was really good from both of us.' Hull moves up towards the world's top 10 and, for now, has consolidated her standing as British No 1. Lottie Woad was the pre-tournament favourite, despite this being her first major as a professional, and although the 21-year-old from Surrey did not quite live up to that ridiculous hype, she underlined her maturity and excellence with a tie for eighth on four-under after a 71.
