Escaped prisoner back behind bars

Jan 2 2008 by Abbie Wightwick, Western Mail

AN ESCAPED prisoner, described as a potential risk to the public, was back behind bars yesterday after more than two weeks on the run.

Christopher Joseph, 26, was one of two men who absconded from Prescoed oopen prison in Usk, Monmouthshire, on December 12. The other prisoner, a 22- year-old man, was recaptured soon afterwards.

Joseph was arrested in the Swansea area and was in police custody yesterday morning, said a Gwent Police spokeswoman.

New bus station opens in Brecon

A £340,000 bus station has opened in Mid Wales as part of plans to improve rural public transport.

The facility in Brecon, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, was built as part of Powys County Council’s public transport network improvements.

The bus station is in the Heol Gouesnou car park.

Cllr Gwilym Evans said, “The new station will have room for up to six buses in a controlled environment and will provide connections to the north and south of the county, including services to Swansea, Hereford, Cardiff and Newtown.

“Each bus bay has been fitted with modern waiting facilities with clear, concise passenger information.”

Lib-Dem leader attacks Labour

WELSH Liberal Democrat leader Mike German has set his sights on a positive result in May’s local elections.

The 62-year-old, who is expected to stand down in the summer, launched an attack on Labour, saying, “The Welsh Liberal Democrats are the main challengers to Labour in all our largest urban areas.

“While the first-past-the- post system remains in place, we will be pushing for a majority in Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Bridgend – where we already lead the councils.”

Kevin Morgan starts Nos Galan

WALES full-back Kevin Morgan was the mystery runner who started this year’s Nos Galan road race.

More than 650 people, including one from Australia, took part in the annual New Year’s Eve race in the Cynon Valley, with the elite races won by Rob Bugden from Bristol and Andrea Whitcombe from Swansea.

The race is held in Mountain Ash every year to commemorate the Welsh athlete Guto Nyth Bran.