News

Guilty plea to animal welfare charges

Published

11 years ago

February 5, 2015

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST woman has pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to ensure the welfare of animals.

Michelle Evans, aged 35, of West Court, appeared before the town’s Magistrates Court on Monday (Jan 19).

Evans pleaded guilty to the offences but her sentencing was delayed in order for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Prosecuting, John Tarrant said: “A member of the tenancy management team had been writing to Mrs Evans about the gas in the property. They also attended the flat and they could hear her shouting at the dogs to be quiet. She wouldn’t allow access at first but she eventually let them in. The house was in a filthy condition and she was told that it was unacceptable. However, the problem continued and on August 14, Inspector Hogan attended at the flat again. There was no reply at the property but he could see through the window a dog which looked alert. He also peered through the letterbox and could see that the hallway was full of rubbish. The inspector came back the next day and was able to gain access. He drew back the curtains and noticed an immediate smell of faeces and urine which made him wretch and cough. There was more faeces on the floor and the litter tray was also full of faeces. He went in to another room where there was a black and white dog which is described as being very thin to the hips. He went upstairs and he could again smell faeces and urine which made him wretch and cough again. He noticed a cat which was also in a skinny condition and the animals were taken for examination. The dog was underfed and the cats all had a large burden of fleas and had a lean bodily condition. The police officer who attended said that he had never seen any case of animal cruelty as bad as this and he also had to go back to the station to change his clothes so he could continue his duty. She accepts responsibility for the animals and that she failed to meet their needs.”

Defending, Matt Greenish said: “All four animals were underweight and had fleas. She had been going through a difficult period but she insisted that she had left enough food and water for them. She has let things get the better of her and she is ashamed of her actions. She was trying to deal with the matter and she should have contacted the vets but she left it too late. The dog and the cats have all fully recovered. She has no previous convictions against her.”

The Magistrates asked for a pre-sentence report to be done and the matter was adjourned for three weeks.

They also indicated that a banning order would be considered against Mrs Evans.

She was released on bail with the condition that she should co-operate with the probation service and the case will return to court on February 3.

News

Welsh housing schemes extended to help hundreds buy, keep or renovate homes

Published

43 seconds ago

July 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Help to Buy Wales, Help to Stay Wales and the Empty Homes Grant will continue until March 2027

HUNDREDS of households across Wales are set to benefit after the Welsh Government announced extensions to three schemes designed to make housing more affordable.

Help to Buy Wales, Help to Stay Wales and the Empty Homes Grant will all continue until March 31, 2027.

The extensions could help up to 400 additional households purchase a newly built home, while funding will be available to renovate as many as 300 empty and neglected properties.

Help to Buy Wales allows eligible buyers to purchase a new-build property with a smaller deposit, supported by a shared-equity loan from the Welsh Government.

The scheme has provided a route into homeownership for many first-time buyers who might otherwise struggle to raise a deposit or secure an affordable mortgage.

Help to Stay Wales will also continue for another year, providing support to homeowners who are experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage repayments and are at risk of losing their homes.

Meanwhile, the Empty Homes Grant will continue to support the renovation of long-term empty properties, bringing neglected buildings back into use as safe and energy-efficient homes.

The Welsh Government said the three schemes would support people at different stages of homeownership, from those purchasing their first property to existing homeowners facing financial difficulties.

Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Siân Gwenllian announced the extensions during a visit to Hollybrook Park in Connah’s Quay, where she met residents who had purchased homes through Help to Buy Wales.

She said: “This government is committed to the principle that every family deserves a safe and affordable home in which to live.

“Increasing the supply of social homes is one way of achieving this, and we have announced our target of delivering 20,000 additional homes.

“We are also offering targeted support for those who own or wish to own their homes, an option that is not affordable or accessible for many as prices continue to grow beyond the reach of local people across many parts of Wales.

“Today I am announcing the extension of three schemes that support people buying their first home, help families avoid losing their homes and help renovate empty properties so they can be brought back into use.

“The cost-of-living crisis has hit hard, and these extensions are about helping families and young people to buy and keep their homes through challenging times.

“I am hugely grateful to our partners, including homebuilders, local authorities, mortgage lenders and the Development Bank of Wales, whose commitment makes all of this possible.

“Together, we will keep pushing to make homeownership a reality for more people right across Wales.”

Louisa Edwards, marketing manager at Edwards Homes Ltd, welcomed the continuation of Help to Buy Wales.

She said: “This is excellent news for first-time buyers, providing continued support to help them purchase a new home in Wales.

“To date, 45 per cent of Edwards Homes’ sales have been made through the Help to Buy Wales scheme, demonstrating just how important and valuable it has been in helping people take their first step onto the property ladder.”

Crime

BMW driver admits causing serious injury in A48 Cross Hands crash

Published

50 minutes ago

July 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Max Dangerfield will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after collision involving a BMW and Toyota Prius

A YOUNG driver has admitted causing serious injury in an early-morning collision on the A48 after his BMW failed to stop for police.

Max Dangerfield, aged 20, of Cwmllethryd Ganol, Felinfoel, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

Dangerfield indicated a guilty plea to causing serious injury to Imran Ilyas by driving dangerously on the A48 at Cross Hands.

The offence involved a BMW M140i and happened on January 25, 2025, when Dangerfield was 18.

The collision occurred at around 4.20am on the westbound carriageway between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham.

The Herald reported at the time that the crash involved a black BMW and a white Toyota Prius.

Dyfed-Powys Police said four people were taken to hospital following the collision. Their injuries were initially described as not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Police also confirmed that the BMW had failed to stop for officers before the collision.

Because of the police contact before the crash, the force notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct and began a formal referral process.

The A48 was closed in both directions between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham for much of the day while collision investigators examined the scene.

Diversions were put in place, with motorists advised to avoid the area as emergency services and investigators continued their work.

Dangerfield has now admitted that his driving caused serious injury to Mr Ilyas.

District Judge Mark Layton committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and Dangerfield was placed under an interim driving disqualification.

He was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, August 13.

Crime

Man in custody accused of intentionally strangling woman in Haverfordwest

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Carl Rago is also awaiting sentence after admitting criminal damage to a police van and mobile phone

A CILGERRAN man has been remanded in custody after being accused of intentionally strangling a woman in Haverfordwest.

Carl Rago, aged 29, of Penffynnon, Cilgerran, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

Rago is charged with intentionally strangling Kelly Marie Picton in Haverfordwest on May 25.

No plea has yet been entered to the strangulation charge and the allegation has not been proved.

The court also heard that Rago had previously indicated a guilty plea to criminal damage following a separate incident in Haverfordwest on June 7.

That charge states that he damaged the inside of a Dyfed-Powys Police Vauxhall van and a Samsung mobile phone belonging to the force. The damage was valued at less than £5,000.

Rago was remanded in custody until his next hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on August 13.

The court record states that the decision to refuse bail followed concerns that he could commit further offences, together with an alleged breach of bail conditions, the nature and seriousness of the alleged offending, and his previous record.