Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Crime

Man jailed after ‘sadistic’ badger stabbing video

Published

on

Judge condemns viral “entertainment” clips of dogs attacking mammals — RSPCA warns of wider persecution risk in West Wales

A CAERPHILLY man has been jailed for 16 weeks after persecuting badgers in what a judge described as “deliberate and sadistic” acts of cruelty. Videos recovered from his phone showed mammals being stabbed, kicked, and mauled by dogs.

Lloyd Gary Robert Davies, of Bryn Heol, Bedwas, was also banned from keeping animals for life after pleading guilty to offences under both the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Newport Magistrates’ Court heard how Davies set lurchers on badgers, filmed the attacks, and shared them. In one recovered video, a man’s hand plunged a knife into an injured badger after it was kicked and savaged by dogs. Davies also used his female lurcher, Shirley, in multiple illegal hunts, exposing her to serious injury and lending her out for the same purpose.

Davies set lurchers on badgers, filmed the attacks, and shared them (Image: RSPCA)

District Judge Sophie Toms described the cruelty as “absolutely disgusting,” saying: “This was deliberate and sadistic cruelty, filmed and shared for entertainment — one of the most serious cases of cruelty I’ve had to deal with in all my time.” She added that she would have preferred to impose a longer sentence, “but regrettably my hands are somewhat tied.”

In addition to the prison term, Davies was ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. The prosecution followed analysis of a mobile phone seized from him, which contained 13 videos showing lurchers attacking “vocalising, bloodied” badgers, with onlookers encouraging them to continue.

In mitigation, Davies’ defence pointed out his youth — he was 22 when many offences occurred — and said he suffered from ADHD and autism. The court heard he “fell in with a bad crowd,” loved his dog Shirley, and was “deeply remorseful.” He has since signed over Shirley to the RSPCA, who rehabilitated her and found her a new home elsewhere in the UK.

An RSPCA Special Operations Unit spokesperson said:
“This case shows how people who persecute wildlife for pleasure will not be tolerated. We will investigate them and bring them to justice.”

The RSPCA worked in partnership with Gwent Police and Natural Resources Wales on the case. PC Rhys Jones of Gwent Police said:
“This case highlights the importance of our link with the RSPCA to ensure that offenders like Davies do not get away with these cruel acts.”

David Griffiths of Natural Resources Wales added:
“Badgers and their setts are safeguarded by law — any harm to them without a valid licence is a criminal offence. This prosecution sends a strong message that such appalling acts will not be tolerated.”

Badger persecution in West Wales

While this latest case was prosecuted in Gwent, the RSPCA says badger baiting and sett interference continue to pose a risk across Wales — including Pembrokeshire and neighbouring counties.

In April 2025, two men from Ceredigion were sentenced after shooting a badger dead, dragging its body down a hill, and throwing it into a bog near Esgairdawe, Carmarthenshire. The same case involved illegal interference with a badger sett, possession of firearms, and the use of dogs to hunt badgers.

A 2018 undercover BBC investigation exposed a network of badger baiters operating across Wales — including in Pembrokeshire — where men were filmed digging into setts and setting dogs on badgers, sometimes killing them with spades.

And in 2006–07, a major prosecution linked to Boncath uncovered evidence of badger baiting after a badger was found in a lurcher’s mouth near a dug sett, with bloodstained shovels nearby. Two men from Ceredigion were later convicted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Although most prosecutions are handled in neighbouring counties, these cases show that Pembrokeshire is not immune to wildlife persecution — and that illegal badger baiting remains a live concern across West Wales.

 

Crime

Two men bailed after Fleming Crescent burglary report

Published

on

TWO men have been arrested following a reported burglary at a property in Haverfordwest.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers were called after a residential burglary was reported at Fleming Crescent on Sunday (Apr 26).

The incident is understood to have taken place sometime between 8:35pm and 11:55pm.

Residents reported seeing police tape and several police vehicles in the area at around 9:49pm.

A police spokesperson confirmed that two men, aged 25 and 28, both from Pembrokeshire, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Both men have since been released on bail.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault

Published

on

WHEN a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.

But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.

Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick,  who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewhelin, causing her actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewhelin arrived.

“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”

Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.

But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewhelin.

“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.

 “She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms.  But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s  job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav. 

“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass.  She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”

Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.  During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.  She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewhelin, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit

Published

on

A Pembrokeshire farm worker has  lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.

When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.

At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out.  These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.

James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.

“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said.  “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”

Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.

James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

Continue Reading

News15 hours ago

Conservatives target two seats in new Ceredigion Penfro constituency

Paul Davies and Sam Kurtz say health, farming and transport are key as they seek return to the Senedd CONSERVATIVE...

Community19 hours ago

Milford Haven Beer Fest returns to waterfront this May

EVENT WILL FEATURE 34 DRINKS, LIVE MUSIC AND STREET FOOD MILFORD HAVEN is preparing to raise a glass as Beer...

Community2 days ago

Cancer patients targeted with parking fines outside Haverfordwest support centre

Adam’s Bucketful of Hope says vulnerable users, elderly volunteers and charity drivers have paid more than £1,000 after Ateb introduced...

Charity2 days ago

Row erupts at Spitfire museum after Reform poster displayed at charity premises

A HAVERFORDWEST museum has become caught up in a political row after Reform UK campaign material was photographed inside the...

Crime2 days ago

Pembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children. David Lewis, 42, is...

Crime3 days ago

Man appears in court charged over death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer

FAMILY WATCHED FROM PUBLIC GALLERY AS CASE SENT TO CROWN COURT A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with...

Crime3 days ago

Police launch arson investigation after Haverfordwest fire

CCTV APPEAL ISSUED POLICE have launched an arson investigation after a derelict building was destroyed in a major overnight fire...

News3 days ago

Residents told to stay indoors as derelict building destroyed in Haverfordwest fire

EMERGENCY SERVICS were called to a major overnight fire in Haverfordwest which led to residents being urged to remain indoors...

Health3 days ago

Welsh public backs urgent action on dementia ahead of Senedd elections

Calls grow for diagnosis, care and support to become national priority NEW figures reveal overwhelming public demand for dementia to...

Local Government4 days ago

Council pays tribute to long-serving councillor Brian Hall

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has paid tribute to long-serving Pembroke Dock Market councillor Brian Hall, following his death. Cllr Hall first...

Popular This Week