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Complex for ex-offenders sparks outrage

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012
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Llanelli Star

A "NIGHTMARE scenario" could develop if ex- offenders are housed near a Llanelli children's nursery, opponents to the plan have warned.

Swansea-based organisation Caer Las Cymru's proposal to convert the former Moose Hall in Old Castle Road into a home for up to six former convicts was discussed at a stormy meeting on Friday night.

  1. John Jenkins

    Councillor John Jenkins

Residents spoke of fears over anti-social behaviour and crime, but the plan sparked an especially furious response from managers of the nearby Cylch Meithrin in Moriah Chapel's vestry.

Catrin Jones, who runs the nursery, said: "I think they should put the safety of children before criminals.

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"We have been established here for a number of years.

"There are young mothers who wait for their children outside when they collect them. Why should they be at risk?"

Rachel Pegler, who is on the Cylch committee and a parent of a child there, said: "This is a big concern."

She pointed out the youngsters had to use an outside toilet which members of the public could also access.

"There was a drug addict in the toilet a while ago," she said.

"We won't have a policeman on site and it's too late when something has happened."

Elli ward councillor John Jenkins backed up those worries.

He said: "My concerns are that potentially unsuitable clients could be placed near a nursery and the potential for a nightmare scenario can easily be envisaged."

Residents have vowed to do all they can to stop the town becoming a "dumping ground" for ex-offenders, pledging to take their fight to the decision-makers at the Senedd and in Westminster.

Vanessa Marsh, chairwoman of the Safer Communities Action Group, said: "Old Castle Road is entirely the wrong place for this.

"If this goes ahead we don't know where these ex-offenders will come from.

"They will be category three offenders with a high risk of re-offending. They could be drug-takers, ex-child offenders or burglars."

Howard Woodhouse, who chaired the meeting, added: "These offenders can come in 24 hours a day to the property.

"Apart from the six offenders, others may be bused in for training facilities during the daytime."

Residents said there was already a problem with drug-taking in the area and that the proposed home would make matters worse.

Tyisha councillor Jeff Owen said: "We must put pressure on, as Llanelli is a dumping ground — spread it everywhere else.

"These people have to go somewhere, but we don't need more in Llanelli."

Caer Las — which sparked outrage with plans for a similar scheme in Queen Victoria Road last year — was blasted as "arrogant" and "evasive" for failing to send a representative to answer questions.

And despite repeated requests from the Star, nobody from the organisation was available to comment on the matter this week either.

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  • Profile image for Philosoraptor

    by Philosoraptor

    Friday, September 28 2012, 9:05AM

    “What I am saying is, and I should have included it, the place is so cold they wouldn't last the winter lol. But yeah, the same for central australia as well haha”

  • Profile image for Philosoraptor

    by Philosoraptor

    Friday, September 28 2012, 9:04AM

    “Maxmin, due to greenland massive population Denmark has to send a military patrol to the island every year to ski great distances to reassert their claim to the place. I don't think population will mind.”

  • Profile image for BobDavies2

    by BobDavies2

    Thursday, September 27 2012, 8:20PM

    “When ever anything to do with ex-offenders is brought into the publc domain, the Commitee, local councilors, parents raise their heads from the TV and scream "outcry".

    Catrin Jones, who runs the nursery, said: "I think they should put the safety of children before criminals.

    "We have been established here for a number of years.

    "There are young mothers who wait for their children outside when they collect them. Why should they be at risk?"

    Has Catrin Jones been given any evidence that children will be at risk?

    Vanessa Marsh, chairwoman of the Safer Communities Action Group, said: "Old Castle Road is entirely the wrong place for this.

    "If this goes ahead we don't know where these ex-offenders will come from.

    "They will be category three offenders with a high risk of re-offending. They could be drug-takers, ex-child offenders or burglars."

    I hate that opinion that "they could be ex-child offenders", and to frighten people into something she has no evidence of, is disgusting the fact that children are used in her spurious oposition opinion.

    What is she doing to combat the viral drug abuse in llanelli?

    Elli ward councillor John Jenkins backed up those worries.

    He said: "My concerns are that potentially unsuitable clients could be placed near a nursery and the potential for a nightmare scenario can easily be envisaged."

    These comments are just scare tacticts, to manipulate opposition to the scheme.”

  • Profile image for Neathboy234

    by Neathboy234

    Thursday, September 27 2012, 1:15PM

    “We already have some of the most overcrowded jails in the world, a more liberal view is needed.”

  • Profile image for maxmin

    by maxmin

    Thursday, September 27 2012, 12:28PM

    “Jeez Philo Whatever have the Greenlanders ( is that right?) done to you? I've another idea. Australia is a lovely country but most of the middle bit is empty - you know where I am going with this don't you?”

  • Profile image for Philosoraptor

    by Philosoraptor

    Thursday, September 27 2012, 12:15PM

    “Why is it so wrong to send these people to Greenland. Just strike a deal with Denmark to turn that place in a penal colony, with no buildings. They will love the snow in winter.”

  • Profile image for maxmin

    by maxmin

    Wednesday, September 26 2012, 9:19PM

    “Why would I know anyone in the BNP?”

  • Profile image for Neathboy234

    by Neathboy234

    Wednesday, September 26 2012, 3:51PM

    “maxmin U ever come across Kevin Edwards who use to be in the BNP, he's about your age, he was in the navy as well. He use to come on here all the time, last seen hiding under a stone lol”

  • Profile image for odinhouse

    by odinhouse

    Wednesday, September 26 2012, 3:08PM

    “'' by koujar '' YES . i agree with you. if it was in some other Area's like well say Brettenham St. or Furnace Area that would cause some concern, . but about 50 yards or mitres from the Station, you could call the police over from your window,”

  • Profile image for maxmin

    by maxmin

    Wednesday, September 26 2012, 12:58PM

    “Weslangdon, not necessarily referred to as such, but those that are will always be. They won't wake up one morning and say "Hey I never went to public school".

    Neathboy yes of course you can be an ex smoker, once you have stopped smoking you are an ex-smoker. However these people will never stop being offenders because they committed an offence. I see your inability to understand the written word is coming to the fore again!

    Smoking and being in the Forces are physical actions, once you have stopped doing that you are an ex. However committing an offence is a matter of history. When a murderer is released he doesn't become an ex-murderer, he will always have committed the crime, what he becomes is an ex-convict.

    I think Caer Las have a very difficult job here, and I think it would make a great deal of difference if they told us how many of their senior staff actually live in the immediate vicinity of this proposed hostel.”

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