Crime

Homeless man jailed for broom attack on good Samaritan

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

A HOMELESS man who attacked a good Samaritan with a broom, fracturing her elbow, has been jailed despite her act of kindness in offering him shelter.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Regan Boswell, 52, assaulted his friend at her home in Hakin on October 29, 2023, after she allowed him to stay the night.

Prosecutor Dean Pulling explained that Boswell, who was homeless, had knocked on the victim’s door asking for a place to stay. Out of compassion, she welcomed him in, hoping to help.

Initially, the arrangement was peaceful, Mr. Pulling said. However, Boswell left to purchase alcohol and later became agitated. While the victim was watching videos on her phone in the living room, Boswell suddenly entered, armed with a broom, and lashed out.

“He complained about the noise from her videos and struck her with the broom,” Mr. Pulling told the court. The attack was so forceful that the broom broke upon impact with her elbow. Boswell then used the broken handle to strike her in the stomach.

In his rage, Boswell also smashed the victim’s phone, damaged an extension cord, and overturned cans of lager in the house. Terrified, the victim fled to seek help from neighbors but found no assistance. She eventually left the building entirely until Boswell vacated the area.

The victim later attended Withybush Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had sustained a fractured elbow. In a statement read to the court, she described being deeply shaken by the violence. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” she said, adding that the betrayal by someone she considered a friend made it all the more distressing.

Boswell, who has no fixed address, was located by police at a spot where he had been sleeping rough. The court was told he has a long criminal record, including 98 prior offences, with 15 relating to violence and 19 involving property damage.

Defence counsel Dan Griffiths acknowledged Boswell’s extensive history of offending and attributed his actions to excessive alcohol consumption. “He admits he has a pattern of destructive behaviour,” Mr. Griffiths said, adding that Boswell’s guilty pleas were his only substantial mitigation. “He was making efforts to stay out of trouble and avoid prison.”

Judge Huw Rees condemned Boswell’s actions, highlighting his inability to control his temper or respect women. “Your actions were entirely unjustifiable,” the judge said.

Boswell was sentenced to 21 months in prison after admitting to charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and criminal damage. Additionally, a seven-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victim.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.