News

West Wales: Flooding and bad weather set to continue

Published

11 years ago

December 21, 2015

Llechryd Bridge: Water covers the bridge entirely

FIRE CREWS were hard at work this weekend tackling a number of floods across West Wales.

The River Towy burst its banks in Carmarthen, flooding land and vehicles near the Quay. In Abergwili the floodgate was closed to stop water from entering High Street.

Crews from Carmarthen and Llandeilo worked overnight on Saturday in the Pontargothi area, and made ‘steady progress’ pumping water away from properties.

Elsewhere in the county, fire crews spent more than eight hours in the centre of Cynwyl Elfed pumping water away from properties.

Three people had to be rescued from a car near Spydders Bridge on Saturday night by crews from Kidwelly and a wading team, as well as a tractor driver who was on the scene, and Cardigan crews released one person from a car that was trapped by flood water in Llechryd, Pembrokeshire.

On Sunday, Lampeter crews dealt with flooding in the Llanybydder area, and a Carmarthen crew attended after flooding in the Tregunnor area. In Llandysul, crews attended a vehicle which was stuck in flood water.

Following a number of stuck vehicles, MAWWFRS issued a warning to drivers. Chris Margetts, Head of Protection and Prevention said:

“Don’t drive through deep water. If you are unsure of the water depth just don’t do it, you are putting yourself and others at unnecessary risk:

Just one foot or 30cm of moving water can float your car;
An eggcup-full of water going into your engine is enough to wreck it;
Three-quarters of cars that get stuck in flood water are written off.

“Flood water can be deceptively powerful – it can literally rip up the road surface and dislodge manhole covers and kerbstones – and its depth and flow rate can quickly change with the weather.”

Heavy rain is set to continue this week, with weather warnings in place on Tuesday (Dec 22). Wednesday is set to be a brighter day, but Thursday and Friday see the rain returning, with strong winds and a risk of gales.

Health

Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession

Published

8 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.

Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).

The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.

Harassment campaign

Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.

Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.

She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.

Police assaults

The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.

Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.

Shop theft and XL Bully

Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.

In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.

Restraining orders imposed

District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.

The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.

Jailed for 26 weeks

Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.

The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

14 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.

Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.

The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.

The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.

District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain

Published

18 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.