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Crime

Farm operators prosecuted for severe animal welfare violations at Cildywyll Farm

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DEWI THOMAS, Dyfrig Thomas, and Eirlys Thomas, operators of Cildywyll Farm in Llanddowror, Carmarthen, have been prosecuted for severe breaches of animal welfare laws. This follows a previous conviction on 24 February 2023, when Eirlys and Dewi Thomas were prosecuted for unnecessary suffering of livestock, while Dyfrig Thomas received a formal caution.

The latest case originated from a May 2023 investigation by the Animal Health Department, in collaboration with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and Dyfed-Powys Police, after anonymous complaints about the condition of animals on the farm.

Cildywyll Farm in Llanddowror, Carmarthen (Pic: Google)

On 31 May 2023, Animal Health Officers, a vet from APHA, and a Dyfed-Powys Police officer inspected Cildywyll Farm. They discovered severe neglect, including dogs and puppies roaming freely with no control over breeding, livestock living among carcasses, and severely ill cattle and pigs. One cow had an untreated swollen eye, while several dogs, including a Cocker Spaniel with protruding ribs, were found in hazardous conditions, feeding on rotting carcasses without proper food, water, or shelter.

SHOCKING CONDITIONS

In a barn, inspectors found decomposing carcasses alongside living animals, highlighting the lack of adequate care. The Thomas family, responsible for the farm’s operations, had not sought veterinary care for many of the animals, including unvaccinated puppies and animals with untreated illnesses.

As a result, the Thomas family received improvement notices and was required to address the immediate welfare needs of their animals. Pigs, dogs, and puppies were removed from the premises on welfare grounds. However, subsequent inspections revealed ongoing non-compliance, with further neglected animals found, including sheep with untreated injuries from a dog attack and discrepancies in farm records related to livestock deaths and movements.

Between February and September 2023, 144 bovine deaths were recorded at the farm, with 32 unaccounted for, raising further concerns about livestock management.

SENTENCING AND PENALTIES

During court proceedings, Judge DJ Layton stated: “History shows over the past years the family has neglected animals from pigs to dogs to sheep.”

He added: “This is a situation that resulted in the grandmother and father having a suspended sentence order, which is as close to prison as you can get, and Dyfrig Thomas got a caution, presumably due to his age, then as soon as the order was made, the situation continued, with dogs exposed to hazards and not having suitable beds, a sow wasn’t given water – a fundamental, basic need, puppies and adult dogs eating animal carcasses, pigs eating carcasses… It’s shocking.”

Dewi Thomas was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and was banned from keeping livestock for 5 years. Eirlys Thomas received a 12-month community order and a 5-year ban on keeping animals, while Dyfrig Thomas received a 6-month community order and a 2-year ban. The trio were ordered to pay £19,275.10 in costs, and livestock was confiscated under section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act.

ANIMAL WELFARE PRIORITY

As part of the legal action, multiple animals were removed from the farm and placed with local rescue services. The case underscores the Animal Health Department’s commitment to prosecuting animal cruelty and neglect.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, said: “This case demonstrates the seriousness with which we take animal welfare violations. The conditions uncovered at Cildywyll Farm were truly shocking, and we are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. Animal welfare is a key priority for us, and we will continue to work to prevent suffering and protect the wellbeing of livestock across Carmarthenshire.”

Carmarthenshire County Council emphasizes that its Animal Health Officers are available to support farmers in need. For assistance, contact the Animal Health Team at 01267 234567 or email [email protected].

Crime

Milford Haven man banned for three years after second drug-driving conviction

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A MOTORIST who claimed to have taken cannabis “several days” before being stopped by police was found to have over four times the prescribed legal limit of the drug in his system.

Antonio Rodrigues, 27, was pulled over by officers just before 3:00pm on September 13, 2024, while driving his Smart car along an unclassified road off the A40 in Slebech.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive, and further blood tests at the police custody suite confirmed he had 9.8 mcg of cannabis in his system—well above the legal limit of 2 mcg.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that this was Rodrigues’ second drug-driving offence in a ten-year period.

“He’d taken the cannabis some days before, and there was nothing wrong with his driving,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher, after Rodrigues, of Croeso, Steynton Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the offence.

“He had no idea he was over the limit.”

Mr Kelleher added that Rodrigues self-medicates with cannabis and is in the process of applying for a legal cannabis prescription.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 36 months and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 court surcharge.

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Crime

Warrant issued for St Davids pensioner over cannabis possession

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A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a 71-year-old woman accused of possessing cannabis.

The Crown alleges that Barbara Lewis, of High Street, St Davids, was found in possession of 3.4 grams of herbal cannabis, a controlled Class B drug, during a police search on January 17.

Lewis was listed to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday (Feb 11). Following her failure to attend, magistrates issued a warrant for her arrest at the request of the Crown Prosecution Service.

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Crime

Drink driver handed suspended sentence and taken off the road

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A BAGLAN man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to multiple driving offences, including driving while over the alcohol limit and while disqualified.

Nathan Lewis, 42, of Tyn Y Twr, Baglan, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 10) and pleaded guilty to three charges: driving a motor vehicle while above the legal alcohol limit, using a vehicle without insurance, and driving while disqualified.

The court heard that on February 8, 2025, Lewis was stopped on the A40 in Llanddewi Velfrey, Narberth, while driving a Toyota Yaris with the registration SL59 YCA. A breath test revealed he had 83 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

Magistrates imposed a four-week custodial sentence for the drink-driving offence, suspended for 24 months, citing his history of two similar previous offences. He was also disqualified from driving for 54 months and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, along with a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

In addition, Lewis was found to have been driving without valid insurance and while disqualified. He received a further 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months, bringing his total suspended sentence to 16 weeks. His driving record was endorsed, but no additional penalty was imposed for the insurance offence.

The magistrates stated that the offences were serious enough to warrant imprisonment but acknowledged a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. The case will be supervised by Swansea Magistrates’ Court.

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