Crime

Woman caught with knife in Pembroke Dock blames drugs

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

A COURT has heard how a woman found carrying a kitchen knife through the centre of Pembroke Dock told police officers: “I can’t remember why I did it, because I was on drugs.”

999 calls were made by members of the public, stating that a person had been seen walking down Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, on January 24, carrying a large knife.

An on-duty police officer saw Lacey Sharp walking towards his police vehicle, carrying a large kitchen knife in her right hand.

“Fearing for his safety, he drew his taser and red-dotted the defendant,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He told her to drop the knife and she complied.”

Nia James said that when Sharp was questioned by officers about why she was carrying the knife, she replied: “I can’t remember…I was on drugs.”

The offence was committed while Sharp was serving a 12-month Community Order for assaulting an emergency worker in December 2024.

Sharp, 25, of Bethel Court, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place.

Her solicitor, Tom Lloyd, informed magistrates that between 2020 and 2025, the defendant had been “completely offence free.”

“Things were going exceptionally well for her and she was living and working in Cardiff where she was the manager of a bar, taking on significant responsibilities,” he said.

“But due to her mental health, things fell apart.

“She moved back to Pembrokeshire and despite the support she’s receiving from her family, it’s been a real struggle for her. She can clearly remain offence-free under the right circumstances, but at the moment, those circumstances don’t seem to be quite right.”

Meanwhile, probation officer Julie Norman said that prior to being found in possession of the knife, Sharp had taken a quantity of unprescribed valium. Ms Norman added that her engagement with the probation service since being placed on the Community Order had been positive.

After considering the facts, magistrates sentenced Sharp to six months in custody, suspended for 12 months. She must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a 120-day alcohol abstinence order and must pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the knife.

“We believe that there are realistic possibilities of rehabilitation, but you’ve now got to be very, very careful over the next 12 months,” said presiding magistrate Mary Smith.

“We want to see you back on track, living the life that you were living before.”

Crime

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

Published

7 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

8 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

9 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.