Ex-serviceman jailed for three years for fraud
The judge criticised the Welsh Government's approval of charity funds as "frankly astounding"
Protesters march in Llandudno over health changes
Around 300 people have taken to the streets to demonstrate their opposition to health service changes in North Wales.
Llandudno man charged with attempted murder
A man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after two people were stabbed in Llandudno on Monday.
Live updates
Llandudno in UK's top 10 destinations
Llandudno has been named in the UK's top 10 travel destinations in a poll by travel website, TripAdvisor.
The seaside town came in 9th place behind London, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Blackpool, Birmingham and Torquay, but ahead of Bristol.
Angus Struthers, of TripAdvisor, said: "With the choice of so many beautiful destinations in the UK, it's fantastic that travellers have named, Llandudno as among the UK's very best."
A Visit Wales spokesperson said: "We are delighted that Llandudno in Wales has been recognised as one of the best destinations in the uK. A beautiful seaside town, Llandudno boasts a special Welsh charm, Victorian elegance and beautiful beaches.
"The town has long been known for its warm welcome and we are very proud that the Lauriston Court Hotel in Llandudno was also named the number one hotel for service in the world in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Hotel Awards earlier this year."
Kayakers rescued
Two kayakers were rescued by an inshore lifeboat from Llandudno last night after getting into difficulties off the West side of the town's Great Orme.
One of the men, in their 20s, was suffering from hypothermia and was taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd for a check-up.
The alarm had been raised by a member of the public.
Advertisement
Countdown begins to the Wales Rally GB
It's six months until the world rally championship comes to its climax in Wales - and today the brains and the bosses behind the championship annnounced a lot of changes.
This year - the 1,700 kilometer course starts and finishes in North Wales - and runs over routes some of which were last used in the Wales Rally GB fifty years ago, as Rob Shelley reports.
Picture: Wales Rally GB launch north Wales race
Wales Rally GB are launching this year's event which takes place in north Wales this November. The new route starts in Conwy and finishes in Llandudno, with the headquarters moving out of Cardiff to Deeside.
Wales Rally GB set for forests of North Wales
Wales Rally GB will be officially launched at its new home in North Wales later. Organisers announced last month that rally, which has been based in South Wales since 2000, was making the move north.
The rally takes place between 14th and 17th November and the new route will be announced at today's launch in Llandudno.
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.
Advertisement
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.
Today's top stories
