Crime

Warning of heavy fines for farms as six Romanians found working at dairy farm

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2025

ILLEGAL WORKERS DISCOVERED IN MID WALES RAID

A DAIRY FARM in Llangedwyn, Powys, faces heavy fines after immigration officers arrested six Romanian workers found working illegally during a dawn raid on January 28. The business owners could now be fined up to £60,000 per worker and face a possible prison sentence if found guilty of failing to carry out proper employment checks.

The arrests come as part of a major crackdown on illegal working across Wales and the West of England. Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams carried out 121 visits last month, resulting in 101 arrests—more than double the number recorded in January 2024.

Tougher action against illegal working

Officials say enforcement activity has reached record levels, with 609 arrests made nationwide in January—an increase of 73 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance & Crime, said:

“Despite many premises in the region being in rural locations, these numbers show there is no hiding place from the law. We will come after any business that thinks it can exploit illegal workers for its own gain.”

Since last summer, both illegal working visits and arrests have risen by 38 per cent, with the Home Office issuing 1,090 civil penalty notices to businesses hiring illegal workers.

New law to target people smugglers

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, set to be debated in Parliament today, will give law enforcement new powers to target people-smuggling gangs and disrupt illegal migration. The legislation will allow officers to search electronic devices for evidence of organised crime.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants with little to no enforcement. Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives crossing the Channel in small boats, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people and undermines our economy.

“That’s why we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to crack down on the criminal gangs that profit from illegal migration.”

Record removals of illegal migrants

Alongside the crackdown on illegal working, the Home Office says it is stepping up deportations of those with no legal right to remain in the UK. Since the election, 16,400 people have been removed, including criminals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape, and murder.

Bespoke charter flights have returned over 800 immigration offenders to their countries of origin, marking the highest removals since 2018.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.