Crime

Cross Hands man bred Dobermanns without licence

Published

5 months ago

July 11, 2025

Council investigation uncovered 87 puppies sold for £218,000 without licence

A CROSS HANDS man has been sentenced after illegally breeding and selling Dobermann puppies without a licence, despite warnings from the local authority.

Michael Watts, 74, of Pontardulais Road, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (June 20) after admitting two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The court heard that Watts ran what was described as “a successful and good business,” breeding at least 87 Dobermann puppies between 2019 and 2023. Prosecutors said he did so without the required licence, advertising dogs online and profiting significantly from the sales.

He was accused of breeding three or more litters in a 12-month period and selling dogs as pets in the course of business, both without holding a proper licence.

Despite being advised by Carmarthenshire County Council about the legal requirements as far back as 2017, Watts only obtained a licence in July 2023—after enforcement action was already under way.

Council prosecutor Ms Griffiths told the court: “There is no suggestion any animals came to harm. This is an issue of excessive breeding and carrying on without a licence.”

Watts had previously been refused a licence after a council inspection in 2022. He was given time to make improvements to comply with conditions but instead challenged aspects of the licence framework.

In mitigation, his barrister Quentin Hunt said: “It was never Mr Watts’ intention to break the law. He prides himself on being an expert in the breeding of Dobermanns.” Mr Hunt criticised the council’s “cookie-cutter” approach, citing a dispute over the requirement that puppies have access to toys—Watts argued Dobermanns would destroy them and potentially choke.

“There was a back and forth between him and the local authority. His failure to get the licence involved nit-picking issues as far as he saw them,” Mr Hunt said, adding: “He should have swallowed his pride.”

At an earlier hearing on May 16, a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) confiscation order was made, with Watts deemed to have benefited by £196,827.63—the same amount he was found to have available. He later attempted to dispute this, saying he had been recently discharged from major surgery at the time of the agreement. Judge Huw Rees rejected the challenge, describing it as “a change of mind” and upheld the full order.

In addition to the POCA amount, Watts was ordered to pay £470 in prosecution costs and a £16 victim surcharge. He was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge.

A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council said the case highlighted the authority’s commitment to animal welfare and warned others: “Those who choose to operate outside the law put animals and the public at risk. We will continue to take strong action against such practices.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.