Crime

Hakin woman sentenced for throwing water at police officer

Published

1 month ago

February 18, 2025

A HAKIN woman has been brought before magistrates after throwing a cupful of water over an on-duty police officer.

Veronica Jones, 36, had been placed inside the cage of a police van as she waited to be interviewed by officers in relation to an unrelated matter. But after being refused pain relief medication by one of the officers, Jones saw red.

“A number of prisoners were waiting to be booked in on February 2, and Veronica Jones was told that there would be some delay,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She told the officers that she was feeling claustrophobic in the rear cage, so the officer opened the door to allow some fresh air in.”

At this point, Jones, of Haven Drive, Hakin, became verbally abusive.

“She stated she was having a panic attack, although she seemed to be fine,” continued Nia James. “She asked for some water, and the officer locked the rear cage, got a paper cup, and filled it to about 1 cm from the top.”

When the officer returned to the police van, Jones began demanding her medication. However, Nia James reminded magistrates that police officers are not authorised to grant any medication to prisoners unless they have been seen by a nurse.

“This was when the defendant became irate,” said Nia James. “She told the officers, ‘I’m in f****** pain and all I want is my f****** meds.’”

At this point, Jones threw the water at the officer, shouting, “F****** have that, you ugly b****.”

“Police officers are people who are simply doing their jobs to help other people,” concluded Nia James.

Jones pleaded guilty to assaulting the emergency worker by beating. She was legally represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“Being in the back of a van can be very uncomfortable,” he said. “The defendant had a torn ligament in her ankle and asked for her Co-codamol, which is just a painkiller. She’d brought it with her in readiness for a delay, but the officers had to follow the correct procedure.

“Foolishly, in her annoyance, she threw the water at the police officer. She lost her temper, but no injury has been caused.”

Jones was sentenced to an 18-month conditional discharge. She must pay £85 court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Crime

Majority of stolen sheep recovered after public appeal

Published

13 minutes ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE says it has recovered 63 of the 75 sheep reported stolen from a farm in Rhydlewis, near Newcastle Emlyn, following a public appeal for information earlier this week.

The ewes were located at three separate sites within the Dyfed-Powys Police area over the past four days.

Inspector Matthew Howells said: “I would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal, and the appeal from the owner, which was shared over 700 times and reached communities all over Wales and further afield. The support from farming communities near and afar has been vitally important in securing a positive outcome. I’d also like to thank those who came forward with information which enabled my officers to respond quickly, ensuring the safe return of these animals to their rightful owner.”

A 40-year-old man who was previously arrested on suspicion of theft has been released on bail while police enquiries continue.

Crime

Police investigate theft of 75 sheep from Newcastle Emlyn farm

Published

14 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS Police is investigating the theft of approximately 75 sheep from a farm in the Newcastle Emlyn area.

The lamb yearling ewes were reported missing from farmland near Rhydlewis. Officers believe the theft occurred sometime between March 7 and March 17, 2025.

The stolen sheep are described as white-faced, with clean white wool and a faint yellow spot. They are believed to be continental cross ewes, similar in appearance to Texel crosses.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and remains in police custody.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist with the investigation.

Anyone with details is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:

🖥️ | Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
📧 | Email: [email protected]
📞 | Call: 101

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 178 of March 23.

Crime

Unlicensed dog breeders prosecuted in Carmarthenshire

Published

14 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Three found guilty of operating without a licence

THREE unlicensed dog breeders have been successfully prosecuted by Carmarthenshire County Council following an investigation into illegal breeding practices at a property in Cwmffrwd.

Donna Edwards, William Edwards and Elysia Jones, all of Gelligaeros Bungalow, Cwmffrwd, were found guilty at Swansea Crown Court on 10 February 2025 for operating a dog breeding business without the required licence.

Donna Edwards and her partner, Mark Thomas, had previously held a dog boarding licence for many years. However, in October 2020, they ceased boarding activities and began using the kennels for breeding instead. Despite informing the council that 19 dogs were being kept on the premises, and enquiring several times about obtaining a breeding licence, no formal application was ever submitted.

Carmarthenshire County Council had issued warnings about unlicensed activity, but the defendants continued to operate. In April 2021, the website Pets4Homes contacted the council to report that it had blocked three user accounts—registered under the names Donna Edwards, William Edwards, and Elysia Jones—all advertising puppies from the Gelligaeros address.

An investigation revealed that eight separate litters had been advertised from the property between June 2020 and March 2021.

As part of the prosecution, the council secured a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, recovering a total of £81,509.93 from the defendants.

Sentencing was as follows:

Donna Edwards: 12-month Community Order with 70 hours of unpaid work, plus an £85 victim surcharge.
William Edwards: 12-month Community Order with 50 hours of unpaid work, plus an £85 victim surcharge.
Elysia Jones: 12-month Conditional Discharge and a £20 victim surcharge.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, praised the council’s Animal Health team for their efforts.

He said: “I would like to thank the Council’s Animal Health team for pursuing this case and bringing these illegal dog breeders to justice. Let this be a warning to others who continue to disregard the law—we will take action.”

Further information on the council’s work to uphold animal welfare standards can be found at Animal welfare – Carmarthenshire County Council.