A woman has been jailed for a month after refusing to pay a train fare and assaulting a police officer, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Phylis Yardley, 38, and of High street, Neyland, was found guilty of assault by beating of an emergency worker, travel on railway without paying fare, and failure to surrender to police and court bail at the appointed time.

She was sentenced to a total of four weeks in prison and ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 19 November.

The court heard how Yardley boarded a train at Swansea railway station, heading towards London, at around 3:30am on Saturday 21 August 2021.

Yardley had purchased a ticket to Port Talbot and, on arrival at the station, was asked to leave by a member of rail staff. Yardley refused and ignored the multiple requests to either purchase a further ticket or leave the service.

The member of rail staff reported the incident to BTP and officers met the train at Cardiff Central station.

Officers explained the allegation to the Yardley and, due to the fact she had no money to purchase the correct ticket, asked that she alighted the service. Officers continued to appeal to Yardley to alight, but she repeatedly refused.

Yardley’s behaviour escalated, and she started swearing, waving her arms and threatened to bite officers. She continued behaving aggressively as she was removed from the service, swearing in front of members of the public.

A struggle took place as the officers tried to remove her from the service, and Yardley grabbed one of the officers’ forearm and dug her fingernails into the skin, causing scratch marks.

Yardley continued to behave aggressively and, fearing assault, the officer sprayed her with captor. She was subsequently arrested and conveyed to police custody.

Yardley later failed to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 19 October, having been released on bail in August.

Investigating officer James Thomas said: “No one should be subject to violence or abuse while carrying out their job.

“I hope the sentence given to Yardley by the court will serve as a reminder that such behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated on the railway.”

(Lead image: British Transport Police)

Pupils, teachers and parents at Neyland Community School in Pembrokeshire are starting and finishing the day with a healthy walk – and helping to reduce traffic congestion at the same time.

With help from Pembrokeshire County Council, Neyland Community School has recently set up a Walking Bus – a safe, fun and environmentally friendly way for pupils to travel to and from school.

Like a regular bus, the Walking Bus follows a set route and collects ‘passengers’ along the way to walk to school together.

Supervised by teachers and supported volunteers who have received DBS checks and training, the Walking Bus is easy to spot with pupil passengers in yellow hi-vis vests and ‘drivers’ wearing orange versions.

Neyland Community School Headteacher Clare Hewitt said the Walking Bus has provided a sociable and healthy start and finish to the day for everyone involved and helped reduce vehicle numbers around the school at traditionally busy times.

Mrs Hewitt added: “The Walking Bus has been brilliant and I can honestly say, it’s a highlight of my day.

“The children love to walk with the staff, chatting about their day and enjoying each other’s company – we all arrive to school and at home with big smiles.

“It has also been a fantastic opportunity to talk to the children about road safety, and they are already very good at recognising how to do this safely.”

The feedback has also been very positive from the pupil passengers.

One said: “The walking bus is amazing. I like spending time walking and talking to new friends and different teachers.”

Another added: “It is so special to me. I love walking with my Headteacher and my friends.”

Parents have also been enthusiastic about the Walking Bus.

“The kids are loving it,” said one. “It puts us at ease knowing they are safe.”

Another added: “My child is so happy on the walking bus. It also helps her to learn the route for when she’s able to walk home on her own.”

Neyland Community School’s Walking Bus has been operating on a pilot basis with hopes to expand in the future.

Mrs Hewitt added: “We really hope to be able to roll this out in other areas in Neyland with the support of volunteers from families and/or the community.”

(Lead image: Pembrokeshire Council)

Councillors in Pembrokeshire have agreed a significant investment in schools in the county

Proposals backed include a £62.4m investment in the community of Milford Haven with the creation of new-build primary and secondary schools in the town through the use of the Welsh Government Mutual Investment Model (MIM).

Councillors also agreed the teaching and learning environments for children who attend Portfield School in Haverfordwest and the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre (PLC) in Neyland need to be significantly improved, with a £38.5m investment into the two sites. This work will be funded under Band B of the 21^st Century Schools Programme.

A total of £20.3m will be invested at Portfield School, which provides education for pupils with statements of special educational needs aged between 3-19 years.

Meanwhile £18.2m will be spent on improving the Neyland site of the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre, which provides education for pupils aged between 11 and 16 with complex needs.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “While there are further stages as part of both the Band B 21^st Century Schools funding and separate MIM proposal that we now need to successfully complete in partnership with Welsh Government, today represents a significant positive step forward in achieving Cabinet’s commitment to delivering all 21^st Century School capital projects and significant investment in Milford Haven, Portfield School and the PLC.

“My thanks go to all those who have worked very hard to get us to where we are today, and I look forward to continuing to work with all those now involved in successfully delivering these exciting school capital projects that will provide the best educational facilities for learners.”