News

Neyland Town Council meeting descends in to chaos

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2025

Public calls for mayor’s resignation as councillors clash as clerk’s mother seeks co-option

A MEETING of Neyland Town Council descended into chaos on Monday (Feb 3), with members of the public shouting for the mayor to resign and councillors yelling at each other. The mayor, who was chairing the meeting, lost complete control as tensions boiled over.

Adding to the disorder, the Council Clerk was notably absent, despite being expected to attend. Mayor Peter Hay claimed she had received an upsetting email earlier that day and was too distressed to turn up. However, this explanation was met with scepticism from several councillors, with Cllr David Devauden openly accusing the Mayor of dishonesty. In her absence, a substitute Clerk was present to oversee proceedings.

The Herald understands that a police patrol car was seen in the area before the meeting, following concerns raised about an unusually high public turnout.

***Council meetings are held at The Hub, Neyland (Image: The Herald)***

At the centre of the controversy was a dispute over the co-option of a new councillor. One of those present was the Clerk’s mother, Donna Matthews, who was expecting to be appointed to the council under agenda item 13. However, tensions escalated when it emerged that two members of the public had also applied for the position—applications that, if considered, would have required an election rather than an automatic co-option.

One of the applicants was in the meeting and directly challenged the Mayor’s claim that no applications had been received. He interjected, saying: “Excuse me, Mr Chairman, I applied,” contradicting Hay’s assertion that he was unaware of the emails. This led to accusations that the Clerk had deliberately ignored the applications to favour her mother’s appointment.

Cllr David Devauden, the most vocal during the meeting, spoke to The Herald on Wednesday. He said: “During the meeting, I called the Mayor a pathological liar three times because I could tell he was lying about the reason the Clerk wasn’t there, and about the missing emails from applicants who wanted to be co-opted.”

Summing up the meeting, he said: “The meeting was a success as we managed to stop the co-option of the Clerk’s mother. The electorate should be given the chance to serve on the council. Donna Matthews works at The Hub, and if co-opted, it would cause a conflict of interest in any case.”

***Cllr David Devauden is under investigation by The Ombudsman, but says the allegations have been made up for political reasons (Image: Herald)***

The chaotic scenes prompted Cllr Brian Rothero to leave just ten minutes into the meeting, saying he “couldn’t cope with the chaos” and needed to get away.

County Cllr Paul Miller, who does not usually attend Neyland Town Council meetings was present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Cllr Devauden is currently under investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman following complaints filed against him by Mayor Peter Hay, Clerk Libby Matthews, and Cllr Ashleigh Phelan. The Herald has been shown a full arch-lever file of “evidence” that has been submitted to the Ombudsman. Devauden confirmed that he is in the process of preparing his defence.

This latest controversy follows previous concerns about transparency and governance within Neyland Town Council.

Critics argue that the handling of the situation was unprofessional, with calls for accountability over the Clerk’s role and working arrangements.

Crime

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

Published

5 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.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

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

Published

6 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.