Iestyn ap Rhobert (27 from Llangadog) received a fine of £200 at Carmarthen Magistrates Court today, but he was not forced to pay compensation to the private company representing Debenhams.

Iestyn ap Rhobert had been accused of causing criminal damage for taking down a large, monolingual English sign which denoted the site of the new Debenhams development in Carmarthen.The company had claimed compensation of over £1,300, but this was dismissed by the Magistrates as the sign broke the language policy of Carmarthenshire Council, which states that every sign displaying the logo of the Council must be bilingual.Iestyn (2nd from the left) and supporters, outside of the Court.The sign was also taken down by Llyr Edwards, 29, from Pont Tweli, on the 9th of June this year. Llyr Edwards received an official police caution.In his address to the court, Iestyn ap Rhobert said:"I am of the opinion that positive legislation is needed in favour of the Welsh language so that it can be used as a trading language in the private sector in Wales, and so that it can be used equally with the English in the administrative dealings of private companies.""A large section of the private sector shows apathy and contempt towards the Welsh language, and my aims in this direct action was to push our elected bodies to force private sector companies to change their attitudes.""There are many examples of languages in similar situations to Welsh, such as Catalan and Basque, which have already demonstrated success in the private sector, and it is high time that local authorities and the National Assembly government in Wales legislate to ensure that Welsh people have the right to use the Welsh language when dealing with private companies."DEBENHAMSCymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg believes that Debenhams have started very badly by choosing an inappropriate English name for their development (St. Catherine's Walk), and by erecting a large monolingual English sign to denote the site. By doing this they have shown utter contempt for the local community.By taking this sign down Cymdeithas yr Iaith have demanded that Debenhams and other companies such as Tesco respect the local community, the Welshlanguage, and that they ensure that they give good employment opportunities for local people.NEW WELSH LANGUAGE ACTOn a national level Cymdeithas yr Iaith are calling for a New Welsh Language Act which would ensure that there would be an obligation on private sector companies to provide a completely bilingual service to their customers.The campaign took a significant step forward during the National Eisteddfod when Adam Price MP from Plaid Cymru, Eleanor Burnham AM from the Liberal Democrats and Lisa Francis from the Conservatives spoke in favour ofstrengthening the existing legislation in a public meeting on the maes.Cymdeithas are also collecting signatures on a national petition for a New Welsh Language Act, and the movement will continue with this until Octoberwhen it a lobby in the Westminster and Cardiff Bay will be held.