#carmarthengolfclub — Public Fediverse posts

JAILED: Newport duo locked up for ‘brazen’ £43k West Wales golf club raid

Mikael Bourkhari, 45, and Simon Dickey, 38, were both handed prison sentences at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (March 2) following their “devastating” overnight raids.

The pair had previously admitted to the burglary spree which targeted both Haverfordwest and Carmarthen golf clubs in back-to-back hits.

The court heard how police were first alerted at 12.45am on Sunday, January 18, when an intruder alarm was triggered at Haverfordwest Golf Club.

Officers arrived just six minutes later to find a “forcible break-in” had occurred, with the club shop stripped of high-value equipment.

It was estimated that several golf clubs, worth between £100 and £500 each, had been snatched, with the total value of the Haverfordwest haul reaching a massive £36,000.

While police were investigating the first scene, a red Vauxhall van was identified as a vehicle of interest, sparking a cross-county hunt for the burglars.

Officers in Carmarthenshire were alerted and, while patrolling Carmarthen Golf Club as a precaution, discovered that the duo had already struck again.

The front door of the Carmarthen club had been smashed in, with around £7,000 worth of clubs stolen and £5,000 in damage caused to the building.

The pair were finally intercepted by Roads Policing Officers shortly after 2am on the A48, despite having fitted fake number plates to their getaway van.

Inside the vehicle, police discovered a “suspiciously large number” of golf clubs and bags, leading to the immediate arrest of the two men.

The duo, who initially gave fake names to officers, later confessed to the crimes, and all stolen items were successfully recovered and returned to the clubs.

At Swansea Crown Court, Boukhari was sentenced to two years and six months behind bars, while Dickey received a sentence of two years and eight months.

Detective Constable Kate Williams of Dyfed-Powys Police slammed the “brazen” actions of the pair, who targeted hard-working local business owners.

“Today’s result underlines the fact that if you travel into the Dyfed-Powys area to commit crime, you will be caught,” DC Williams warned.

#burglary #Carmarthen #CarmarthenGolfClub #Crime #DyfedPowysPolice #golf #GolfClubBurglary #Haverfordwest #HaverfordwestGolfClub #Jailed #Newport #sentencing #SwanseaCrownCourt #theft #westWales

Carwyn’s £10k fundraising drive transforms MS care at Morriston Hospital

Carwyn Lewis, who was diagnosed with MS 13 years ago, donated £5,000 in November following his third and most successful MS Charity Golf Day at Derllys Court Golf Club. The event attracted around 140 players and even more supporters for a lively auction and raffle, all themed around the high-energy world of LIV Golf.

“It was brilliant,” said Carwyn. “The atmosphere, the support — I’m just so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.”

Supporters enjoy a sunny day at Derllys Court Golf Club during Carwyn Lewis’s MS Charity Golf Day.
(Image: Swansea Bay University health Board)

What is LIV Golf?

LIV Golf is a professional men’s golf tour launched in 2021, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The name “LIV” comes from the Roman numeral for 54 — the number of holes traditionally played in its events.

Format:
– Originally 54‑hole tournaments played over three rounds
– Features both individual and team competitions
– Known for shotgun starts (all players teeing off at once) and big prize purses
– From 2026, LIV will expand to 72 holes to align more closely with PGA and DP World Tour formats

Why it matters:
LIV Golf has disrupted the sport by offering huge contracts to star players, creating rivalries with established tours, and sparking debate about the future of professional golf.

Sources: Wikipedia, National Club Golfer, LIV Golf explainer

A personal mission

Carwyn’s fundraising journey is deeply personal. After struggling with early treatments, he credits Swansea Bay’s MS Specialist Team with turning his life around.

“My life turned upside down after diagnosis, and my early treatments just weren’t working. This team pretty much saved me. Since then, I’ve been stable and well, so I can’t complain at all.”

His donations have grown year on year — £2,200 at his first event, £3,000 at the second, and now £5,000.

Promotional signage for the MS Charity Golf Day at Derllys Court Golf Club, featuring sponsors and event details.
(Image: Swansea Bay University Health Board)

Funding real impact

The money goes directly to the MS Specialist Care Unit at Morriston Hospital, helping fund equipment and services not covered by core NHS budgets.

Lead Neurology Nurse Helen Owen said Carwyn’s earlier donations had already funded a portable bladder scanner used in outreach clinics across South-West and mid-Wales: “This has greatly helped patient wellbeing by providing specialist care closer to home. It’s really inspiring that Carwyn has taken time to give back after the care he received.”

Consultant Neurologist Dr Owen Pearson added: “His support allows us to innovate and improve care for people with MS. The education sessions we’re now planning — for newly diagnosed patients and those living with MS — will help people understand their condition and connect with others going through similar experiences.”

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

MS is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coating (myelin) around nerves, disrupting signals between the brain and body.

Common symptoms include:
– Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
– Problems with vision, such as blurred or double vision
– Numbness or tingling in different parts of the body
– Muscle stiffness, spasms or weakness
– Issues with balance, coordination or walking
– Bladder problems and difficulties with memory or concentration

Who does it affect?
MS is most often diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s, though it can occur at any age. It affects around 130,000 people in the UK and is about two to three times more common in women than men.

Living with MS:
There is currently no cure, but treatments and specialist care can help manage symptoms, reduce relapses and improve quality of life. Many people live active, fulfilling lives with the right support.

Source: NHS & MS Society

Remembering a friend

Carwyn also paid tribute to close friend Tommy Williams, who helped launch the first golf day but sadly passed away before this year’s event.

“He helped me kick it off really, so a massive thank you to him,” said Carwyn. “It was a full family and friends’ effort. I’m very grateful to all of them.”

Next year’s event

Carwyn is already planning the next MS Charity Golf Day, set for 30 May 2026 at Carmarthen Golf Club, where Tommy Williams will be remembered with a memorial shield.

Swansea Bay Health Charity said it was “incredibly grateful” for Carwyn’s continued support, which helps ensure people with MS across the region can access high-quality, compassionate care.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea Hospital delivers new 10‑minute MS injection in UK first
A Swansea mum becomes the first in the UK to receive a pioneering MS treatment.

‘Pushing the envelope’ leads to renewed hope for Sue
A woman living with MS for nearly 40 years joins a world‑leading clinical trial.

New Morriston Hospital outpatients service for neurological conditions
Swansea’s Morriston Hospital launches a first‑in‑Wales service to cut waiting times for neurology patients.

Nurse’s shock diagnosis leads to Three Peaks challenge
Nerys Jones sets out to climb three South Wales mountains in a single day after her MS diagnosis.

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