Ex-serviceman jailed for three years for fraud
The judge criticised the Welsh Government's approval of charity funds as "frankly astounding"
Three jailed after Bangor robbery
Three Bangor men are jailed after being convicted of a robbery in which they carried imitation firearms and attacked a man in his own home.
Welsh air ambulances set to fly again
The two Welsh air ambulances grounded following the discovery of cracks in rotor blades of the same model type get the all clear
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Welsh novelist's home becomes heritage property
Kate Roberts was a novelist described as one of the greats of Welsh literature. Now her childhood home - a remarkable time capsule, high in the hills over Caernarfon - has been bought by Wales' heritage body CADW with the intention of bringing her life and stories to a whole new generation.
The house, named Cae'r Gors, is a 19th century smallholding in Rhosgadfan.
The Minister for Culture and Sport, John Griffiths AM, recently visited the property to commemorate it being handed over to CADW.
He said: "The importance of Kate Roberts' literary works to the people of Wales is well understood across this country and internationally.
"Cadw will be working closely with the Cae'r Gors Trust to develop the site into a sustainable heritage visitor attraction and place for learning and celebration of Welsh literature."
Parade is a 'special day' for troops
– Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Webb MC OBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh"It's always a privilege and honour for soldiers to march through the towns and cities of Wales - the places where family, loved ones and friends can welcome them.
"Saturday will be no different and the parade in Caernarfon will be another special day for The Royal Welsh."
The parade will march from the barracks in the town to Castle Square - where the troops will be inspected at 11am.
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Soldiers in Caernarfon parade
Troops from the Royal Welsh will march through Caernarfon today for a freedom parade. The soldiers will be made up from B Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh.
The troops will be led through the town by the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh, the Goat Major and Billy, the regimental goat.
New search and rescue fleet
After winning the contract to take over search and rescue helicopter cover from the RAF, Bristow Helicopters have released details of the new fleet that will be deployed in April 2015.
There will be two helicopters at both its Welsh bases -Caernarfon Airport and the MOD site at St Athan near Barry.
Caernarfon's Sikorsky helicopters will cover an area of 250 nautical miles around the base and each carry three stretchers and up to 10 seated casualties. Augusta Westlands will cover 200 nautical miles around St Athan and each have room for two stretchers and six seated casualties.
All the helicopters will have a crew of four and be capable of flying at 145 nautical miles an hour.
Businessman prosecuted for dumping waste
A businessman who illegally dumped waste across parts of north Wales profited more than £8m a judge ruled today.
William O'Grady was given a confiscation order of £213,525 which he will have to pay within six months or he will serve two years in prison.
He was found guilty of dumping construction waste at three sites in Caernarfon.
The Environment Agency for Wales said: "We want to send a clear message to criminals that we will not only prosecute them for environmental offences but also pursue them for benefits derived from their illegal activities.
"This is important not only for the sake of the environment and people’s health, but also for the wider waste industry. It’s important that businesses that work within the law are not disadvantaged by illegal operators."
Judge 'astounded' by Welsh Government's approval for charity cash
A former soldier who defrauded Conwy Council out of 125 thousand pounds has been sentenced to three years in prison. Christopher O'Neill set up a charity for North Wales war veterans called Forces for Good.
But he spent money he obtained for the project on his own lavish lifestyle, and a gambling habit.
The judge in the case said he was astounded that the Welsh Government had approved the project without basic checks being carried out.
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Ex-serviceman jailed for three years for fraud
The judge criticised the Welsh Government's approval of charity funds as "frankly astounding"
Read the full storyCharity fraud was a 'wicked deception'
by Lorna PrichardA man who defrauded Conwy Council out of £125,000 has been sentenced to three years in prison. Christopher O'Neill set up a charity for North Wales war veterans called Forces for Good, then spent money he obtained for the project on his own lavish lifestyle, and a gambling habit.
Sentencing O'Neill at Caernarfon Crown Court this morning, Judge Niclas Parry said his crime was nothing other than "a sophisticated, high value scam, a wicked deception on the public purse to enrich yourself."
He said it was "frankly astounding" that the Welsh Government approved O'Neill's project without checking basic facts, adding that the case highlighted the importance of making checks when approving grants out of the public purse.A forfeiture and destruction order was also made on O'Neill's goods.
Council 'fully investigated' after fraud
Conwy County Borough Council say that no budgets were affected by the loss of £125,000 in the fraud by an ex-serviceman.
In a statement following the sentencing of Christopher O'Neill the council said the circumstances had "been fully investigated through a rigorous internal audit" and that their external auditors had "carried out a thorough review of arrangements for managing grants."
– Conwy County Borough Council StatementConwy County Borough Council is extremely disappointed that it was amongst the victims of this despicable fraud.
The Council and its partner agencies aimed to assist former members of the armed forces who required particular help via the establishment of the Hotel Project.
When assurances sought from O’Neill were not forthcoming, it was Conwy County Borough Council that formally referred the matter to North Wales Police, and the Council’s Head of Audit was due to give evidence at the trial.
Ex-serviceman jailed for three years for charity fraud
A man accused of defrauding a charity set up to help ex-service people has been sentenced to 3 years in prison. Christopher O'Neill pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud at an earlier hearing in January.
He was accused abusing his position at the charity "Forces for Good" by transferring £74,800 from its bank account in to his own. He was also accused of drawing on the funds to pay costs incurred by him during stays in hotels and guesthouses to the sum of £6,500.