Crime
Pembrokeshire parent fined for child’s school absence

A PEMBROKESHIRE parent has been fined after admitting responsibility for their child’s persistent school absence.
The woman pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 27) to failing to ensure her 15-year-old child attended school regularly at Milford Haven Comprehensive School.
The court heard that between June 13 and June 25, 2024, the child had missed a significant amount of school without a valid excuse.
Under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996, parents can be prosecuted if their child fails to attend school regularly without a lawful reason.
Magistrates imposed a six-month conditional discharge, meaning the woman will not face further penalty unless another offence is committed within that period. She was also ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge and £150 in prosecution costs.
Due to legal restrictions protecting the identity of minors in court proceedings, the child’s name and any identifying details cannot be reported.
The defendant has been given time to pay the total amount, with the court ordering payments of £10 per week from March 27.
Did you know?
UK parents have been fined more than £10 million for taking their children out of school during term time, as councils continue to clamp down on unauthorised absences.
With fines starting at £60 per child, per parent—doubling to £120 if unpaid within 21 days—families are being forced to think twice before booking cheaper holidays outside peak season.
New research highlights growing concern among parents, with thousands searching online for information about school fines, term dates, and attendance rules.
In the 2022/23 school year alone, resulting in parents collectively paying more than £10 million in fines.
For families with multiple children, the costs escalate quickly. A two-parent household with two children could face penalties of up to £480 if fines are not paid on time.
Who pays the fine in separated families?
One of the most pressing concerns for separated parents is whether both will be fined. The answer is yes—if both have parental responsibility. Fines are typically issued per child, per parent, meaning a separated couple with two children could receive four fines in total.
While some councils may consider custody arrangements, many apply the fines equally, regardless of which parent booked the holiday.
Schools rarely approve absences
Term-time absences are rarely authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as bereavement or a military parent returning from deployment.
Parents should be aware that:
- Fines are issued by local councils, not schools
- Unpaid fines can lead to legal action
- Some councils issue thousands of fines each year
Molly Ejdowski, Brand Marketing Manager at My 1st Years, said: “Every parent wants to create special memories with their children, but term-time absence rules make this difficult. With fines adding up quickly, parents should check official policies before booking trips. While Google can provide quick answers, each school and council has its own regulations, so checking official sources is always the best approach.”
Crime
Teenager in court over public threats blade incident

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court accused of threatening a man with a knife in Haverfordwest.
Kian Kelly, of Freemans View, is charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place and making threats with it on Hill Street on March 8.
He is also accused of causing criminal damage to household items belonging to the alleged victim.
Kelly appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 10, where the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court. He was granted bail and is due to enter his pleas on April 11.
Crime
Police appeal after teenage girl assaulted in Tenby

TENBY police are appealing for witnesses following an assault on a teenage girl on Saturday afternoon (Mar 15).
The 13-year-old girl sustained injuries to her head and back during the incident, officers confirmed.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of an assault on a 13-year-old girl in the Tenby area at around 5:00pm on Saturday, March 15.
“The victim suffered injuries to her head and back. No arrests have been made, and enquiries are ongoing.
“If you witnessed the incident or have information that could assist our investigation, please contact us either online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.”
The crime reference number is 25*220256.
Crime
Father and daughter plead guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals

A PEMBROKESHIRE father and daughter have admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
Richard Scarfe of Park Street Pembroke Dock and his daughter Brogan Scarfe of Woodbine Terrace, Pembroke, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Mar 4 charged under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of causing unnecessary suffering to pigs, sheep, poultry and dogs, between 25th January 2022 and 18th April 2023.
Richard Scarfe was further charged with breaching a Court Order, made on January 26th 2022 following a conviction for animal welfare offences, banning him from owning, keeping or participating in the keeping of goats, donkeys, cattle, sheep and pigs, or being party to any arrangement under which he was entitled to control or have influence over their care, for a period of five years.
The prosecution by Pembrokeshire County Council followed a number of visits to the site, initially to monitor the welfare of animals and, as conditions deteriorated, to secure veterinary support and subsequent intervention.
Over the course of the visits it was established that Richard Scarfe continued to play a role in the keeping of animals and to be actively involved in the day-to-day husbandry activities, contrary to the disqualification.
Officers also found that the welfare needs of the animals were not being met and as matters deteriorated that the animals were subject to unnecessary suffering.
On one occasion officers found dead pigs left in close proximity to enclosures with live pigs.
The enclosures were unsuitable with hazardous materials and knee deep in mud, there was also no clean dry lying available and no food or continuous drinking water.
The pigs were inappropriately housed in large numbers resulting in fighting, aggression and injury.

One pig in particular had extensive damage to both ears, likely as a result of cannibalistic behaviour caused by the pigs competing for the limited food and space.
Sheep were repeatedly found with insufficient water and food, were thin and of poor body condition, with the ribs and spine clearly visible.
Dogs were found locked in a makeshift kennel block. The kennels were too small to accommodate the dogs and littered in faeces causing a strong, foul smell.
The dogs were never seen loose from their kennels on any visit made by officers.
A number of the dogs were under weight and nervous. A private vet’s opinion was sought on the dogs’ condition and wellbeing.
Over the course of the visits officers had expressed concern over standards and sought to offer animal welfare and husbandry advice to both Richard and Brogan Scarfe, to address the immediate welfare needs of the animals.
However, this failed to result in meaningful improvement, and veterinary surgeons from the Animal and Plant Health Agency were asked to assist and to provide independent veterinary opinion on cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry.

With the veterinary opinions being that the animals on the site were suffering unnecessarily as a result of serious failures in their care, veterinary officers issued a certificate under Section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for the removal of the animals to a place of safety and to prevent further suffering.
One cow, 26 Sheep, 43 Pigs, 23 poultry and five dogs were subsequently seized and removed to a place of sanctuary where they were examined by a veterinary surgeon, with many needing medical intervention.
During the hearing Richard Scarfe pleaded guilty to two offences under section 4(1) and 32(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely pigs and sheep.
Brogan Scarfe pleaded guilty to two offences under section 9 (1) and section 32(2) of the Act of failing in her duty to take reasonable steps in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal (namely sheep and pigs) for which they are responsible are met to the extent required by good practice.
The father and daughter will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on May 12th, 2025.
Councillor Jacob Williams, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “The lack of care shown to animals in this case was evident to both officers and veterinary experts, and will unfortunately have resulted in needless suffering.
“Officers initially sought to offer guidance to secure improvements in welfare conditions, however this wasn’t acted upon appropriately so the Council had no alternative but to seek veterinary input and, ultimately, legal powers were used to take control of the animals to prevent further suffering.
“The fact that Mr Scarfe continued to keep animals, despite being disqualified from undertaking any activity of this sort, is clearly unacceptable, and this was a clear factor in the poor standards of animal husbandry witnessed in this sad case.”
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