Carmarthenshire
The Women’s Tour of Britain returns to Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire is to host the Women’s Tour of Britain, a major televised road cycling race, for the second time.
Some of the world’s top cyclists will race through the picturesque landscape of the Black Mountain on the western side of the Brecon Beacons National Park to the finishing line near Llangadog as part of the stage five event.
Organisers SweetSpot revealed the event details which is to be held on Friday, June 10, to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Riders competing for the title will roll out from sea level at Pembrey Country Park which has also previously hosted the Grand Départ of the men’s Tour of Britain as well as the overall finish of the Women’s Tour in 2019.
It is the second hill-top finish in Women’s Tour history and the toughest route says organisers measuring 7.2 kilometres in length with the Black Mountain averaging a gradient of 5.3% and ramping up to 21% in places.
The route was previously tackled during the final stage of the 2019 race when British rider Hannah Barnes (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team) climbed it the fastest in a time of 20:50.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, said the council is committed to supporting more people to get fit and active through cycling, whilst growing the local cycling tourism economy.
He said: “To be chosen as a host a stage of the women’s tour once again goes to show that we remain as the top location for cycling in Wales attracting the world’s top cyclists in major televised events. Not only are we able to showcase high profile events such as this but with the inspiring views of our countryside, delicious pit stops and cycle friendly places to stay, the county is also fast becoming the perfect place for ‘bikeations’ or cycling holidays. We look forward to welcoming the Women’s Tour of Britain once again and hope it inspires our community to get on their bikes.”
This year’s Women’s Tour departs on Monday, June 6, and coincides with the final day of a four-day Bank Holiday weekend in the UK to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. The race will culminate with a prestigious finale six days later on Saturday, June 11.
Welsh Cycling’s Chief Executive Anne Adams-King said: “It’s great to have the Women’s Tour of Britain heading to Wales again in 2022. High profile events can inspire people to take up cycling for fun and competition and we hope it will further encourage more women and girls to get involved – we’ll look forward to seeing everyone on the roadside come June.”
Further details of stage five, including the full race route, timings and ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains locations, will be unveiled in due course.
Mick Bennett, Women’s Tour race director, said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Carmarthenshire in 2022 as the county continues to showcase its beauty and healthy living credentials through cycling. This stage promises to be unforgettable – I couldn’t think of a better place to start it than Pembrey Country Park, where fans have turned out in force historically to welcome both the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour.
“Following the scenic route we’ll take through the county, I cannot wait to see how the racing plays out on Black Mountain. We’ve long wanted to test the world’s best riders on a climb of this stature, reputation and difficulty, and I know they’re going to put on a show for us!”
(Lead image: Carmarthenshire Council)
Ammanford
Man who filmed rape on Ammanford victim’s phone changes plea mid trial

A man who filmed himself raping an Ammanford woman on his victim’s phone has changed his plea to guilty midway through his trial.
Cameron Hassan, aged 31, of no fixed abode, attacked the woman, raping her as she slept on 21 August 2021.
Hassan had been on trial at Swansea Crown Court after denying any wrongdoing. However, after the jury was shown the video of the attack and hearing the victim was going to give evidence yesterday (Tuesday, 10 May), Hassan changed his plea to guilty.
Investigating Officer DC Sophie Lambert from Dyfed Powys Police said the victim had shown great strength and determination throughout the investigation.
“I must commend her tremendous courage in coming forward and the tenacity shown throughout the investigation,” she said.
“We hope this case demonstrates that Dyfed-Powys Police acts on serious allegations such as rape and sexual assault with officers working tirelessly to secure justice for victims.
“If you are suffering because of similar abuse, please contact the police, or if you would rather speak to someone in confidence, New Pathways are an independent charity that will support you through every step of the investigation.”
New Pathways can be contacted at 01685 379 310 or email enquiries@newpathways.org.uk
(Lead image: Google Maps)
Carmarthenshire
Women’s Tour of Britain returns to Carmarthenshire

The countdown is on before the world’s top women riders will race through Carmarthenshire as part of the Women’s Tour of Britain.
Some 108 cyclists will race through the County to the finishing line on top of the Black Mountain between Llangadog and Brynamman as part of the stage five event on Friday, June 10.
The route will be starting from Pembrey Country Park at 10.45am and riders competing for the title will go through Pinged, Carway, Pontyberem, Horeb, Llansawel, and Llangadog.
A rolling road closure will take place along the 65-mile route which will come into action at 10.45am until 1.50pm.
Roads will be re-opened once the cyclists have passed through. A full road closure will be in place over the Black Mountain from 5am-5pm.
The event will be broadcast on ITV4 and across Europe with a helicopter camera crew following the race.
The Women’s Tour departs on Monday, June 6, and coincides with the final day of a four-day Bank Holiday weekend in the UK to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. The race will culminate with a prestigious finale six days later on Saturday, June 11.
Pembrey Country Park previously hosted the Grand Départ of the men’s Tour of Britain as well as the overall finish of the Women’s Tour in 2019.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Chief Executive, Wendy Walters said: “We are thrilled that we have again been chosen to host this top cycling event. Previous years have brought an immediate economic boost to the tourism sector as well as providing a great deal of positive media coverage.”
(Lead image: Carmarthenshire Council)
Dyfed Powys Police
Man banned from driving for 12 months for fishing offence

A man from Merthyr Tydfil who travelled to the River Loughor, near Llanelli to fish using a barbaric and illegal method, has been banned from driving for 12 months as part of his sentence.
Vu Quang Tien pleaded guilty to an illegal fishing charge and also to a charge of obstruction of a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Fisheries Enforcement Officer on 26 April at Swansea Magistrates Court.
Mr Tien and two other anglers were witnessed by NRW Fisheries Enforcement Officers deliberately using the illegal foul hooking method of fishing – also known as snatching – at the river Loughor on 15 August 2021. NRW officers attended the site after several reports of illegal fishing were made to NRW’s 24/7 incident call centre by concerned members of the community.
When approached and questioned by NRW officers, Mr Tien and his accomplices showed significant hostility and reluctance to share identification documents which eventually had to be extracted by use of reasonable force.
All of Mr Tien’s fishing tackle and fish, along with his associates’ fishing tackle was seized by NRW Officers at the time of the incident. The district judge on the day at Swansea Magistrates Court gave permission to NRW to confiscate these items permanently from each of them.
The District Judge disqualified Mr Tien from driving for 12 months due to seriousness of the incident, and the premeditated and deliberate action of travelling such a distance to commit the offence.
He was also ordered to pay a total of £2,334 in fines, NRW costs and a victim surcharge.
Mark Thomas, Fisheries Enforcement Officer for NRW, said: “We would like to again thank Dyfed Powys Police, the local communities and also the law-abiding anglers in the area for their continued support in reporting these illegal fishing activities.
“Foul hooking is a truly barbaric form of fishing carried out by a small minority of anglers in Wales, who have no regard for fish welfare.
“NRW and the Police take these incidents seriously as do the courts.
“Hopefully, the small minority of anglers who may in future, think of using any illegal fishing methods will take heed of the heavy fines and driving ban in this case issued by the courts.”
(Lead image: Natural Resources Wales)
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