News

Prisoner jailed for ‘potting’ attack on officer

Published

1 year ago

February 20, 2025

A 34-YEAR-OLD prisoner has been sentenced to an additional two years and nine months after throwing a cup of excrement over a prison officer at HMP Parc in what was described as a revenge attack.

Courtney Matthew launched the brown liquid at officer David Ashby before jumping over railings onto safety netting and shadow boxing in front of other inmates. The attack, which took place in May 2023, followed Matthew’s removal from his job in the prison servery.

During his trial at Cardiff Crown Court, the jury was shown CCTV footage of the moment Matthew hurled the contents at the officer. While he later admitted to police that he had wanted to “embarrass” the officer by making others think he was a victim of “potting,” Matthew insisted the liquid was “melted Maltesers with water” rather than human waste.

***Courtney Matthew jumped onto netting after throwing the poo at the prison officer***

‘I’d do it again in a heartbeat’

Matthew, who did not appear in court, told police he and Mr Ashby “didn’t get along” and said he had no regrets about his actions.

“I’m not remorseful, and I’d do the same thing again in a heartbeat,” he told officers.

The court heard that Matthew repeatedly ignored prison rules, often sitting on the stairwells despite being told to move. Mr Ashby described the tense relationship between them, stating:

“He would be very slow to respond when asked to move, and when my back was turned, he’d go back and sit there.”

‘The smell was terrible’

Giving evidence, Mr Ashby said he was sure the substance thrown at him was human waste, describing it as having a “terrible smell”. He revealed that other prisoners had warned him that he was likely to be attacked.

Despite Matthew’s claims about the contents of the cup, investigating officer PC Nigel Davies told the court there was no evidence that Matthew had purchased Maltesers from the prison shop before the incident.

Additionally, the shirt Mr Ashby was wearing during the attack was not forensically examined and had since been lost.

Judge: ‘Meticulously pre-planned’

Sentencing Matthew, Judge Vanessa Francis said the attack was meticulously pre-planned and designed to maximise humiliation and distress.

He was convicted of administering a noxious substance with intent to aggrieve or annoy, an offence under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act. The additional sentence will run consecutively to his existing term.

Crime

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

Published

9 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

9 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

10 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.