Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has welcomed news that one of Carmarthen’s courts has been saved from closure. Cllr Emlyn Dole said the council had strongly objected to the Ministry of Justice ’s proposals to close the magistrate’s court at Guildhall and the civil, family, tribunal and probate court at nearby Picton Terrace, and had submitted a lengthy response to Ministry’s consultation. The council cited the likely impact the closures would have on local people – especially given the large area the courts cover, and the many rural communities they serve – and had offered a suggestion that the courts could be merged as an alternative to a total closure. This week, the Minister for the Courts and Legal Aid, Shailesh Vara, announced that the landmark Guildhall court in the centre of Carmarthen is to close, but that the original proposal had changed to include suitable alternative venues. It was further announced that the Picton Terrace court would remain. “Whilst we under...

Carmarthenshire's executive board is calling for a court presence to be kept in Carmarthen. It follows a meeting today where members discussed the proposal by the Ministry of Justice to close both courts in the town. The plan is to shut both the Carmarthen Law Courts at the Guildhall and the civil, family, tribunal and probate hearing centre at Hill House. Figures show that usage of the Guildhall is low and Hill House operates at a capacity of around 51%. The proposal is to transfer the court business to either Swansea, Haverfordwest or Aberystwyth. The Ministry of Justice has included predicted travel times within its consultation document. However, Carmarthenshire’s executive board has questioned the accuracy of the figures which they say underestimate travel times from rural areas, and do not take into account frequency of buses or other modes of public transport. Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said the board’s concern was that it would be very difficult for many people living...

Seven per cent of serious crime offenders jailed by magistrates in Llanelli | This is South Wales Less than 10 per cent of offenders dealt with by magistrates in Llanelli were jailed for committing a serious crime in 2010, new figures reveal. The information, released by the Ministry of Justice, shows that just 7 per cent of people who were charged with offences such as ABH, possession of Class A drugs, assaulting a police officer and possession of a weapon were sent down for the crime. Out of 301 seemingly serious offences, just 23 of them resulted in a prison sentence. Many criminals were given community work instead. Victim of crime John Jenkins said he felt "concerned" about criminals being given "soft options".