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Crime

Pembrokeshire beach dog ban enforcement changes expected

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PEMBROKESHIRE councillors have backed trialling a new way of enforcing bylaws restricting dogs on beaches in the summer season, with an emphasis on “education over enforcement”.

In previous years, between May 1 and September 30, dogs are completely banned on Tenby North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids, along with partial bans at Lydstep, Newgale beach and promenade, Saundersfoot beach and promenade, Tenby Castle and South Beach, Amroth beach and Promenade, Poppit Sands, Broad Haven North, Dale, and Coppet Hall (voluntary ban).

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of March 27, members heard a council Task and Finish Group meeting had discussed updating the current procedure and, focusing on the education of residents and visitors surrounding dogs on beaches.

“Based on feedback received by members from users both residents and visitors, the view of the group was that a level of enforcement was required but to undertake a trial surrounding a blended approach associated with the issues of warnings for first-time offenders, combined with the issuing of fixed penalty notices where appropriate.”

It added: “This is only for dogs on beaches; dog fouling on the street and beach will continue to be enforced.”

It was recommended to take a three-fold approach: improvements in communication and visibility of the dog-free zones through a review of signage and visibility of Enviro-crime officers, reviewing bylaws, and the trial of a new procedure surrounding the enforcement of dogs on beaches for 2025.

Regarding the dogs on beaches trial, the report for members said there would be an “intelligence-led” approach tackling “hot-spots”.

It added: “The response by the Enviro-crime contractor will be based on the following procedure.  o If individuals are found with dogs within a restricted area, enforcement officers will undertake the following:

  • Engage with the dog owners, issue a warning – full contact details will be taken.
  • Dog owner will be requested to walk away from the restricted area – failing to do so will result in a FPN being issued.
  • Dog owners will be asked to put their dog on a lead – failure to do so will result in a FPN being issued.
  • Second offence after a warning will result in a FPN being issued.
  • Dog fouling – FPN will be issued.

It concluded: “The view of the task and finish group was these measures would enable a trial season where education is given priority over enforcement, which could then be compared with the 2024 season of full enforcement.

“This will enable the committee to assess the two operating models when reviewed following the 2025 season.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Rhys Jordan moved the recommendation, but said “blanket bans” on some of the county’s beaches were “overly punitive on dog owners,” adding: “Responsible owners do look after their dogs, but unfortunately it is the small minority; to have six or seven months of the year that certain beaches are completely banned from dogs is a bit much in my view.”

Committee chair Cllr Mark Carter said: “70 per cent of those caught with dogs are tourists, I really think we’re sending out the wrong message; giving a warning is fair in my mind, it’s good for business and good for tourism; I’m very grateful to officers for getting this to this level.”

Members agreed to back the recommendations of the task and finish group.

 

Crime

Fishguard man admits assault and criminal damage

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Court orders no contact with woman and bans him from address ahead of sentencing

A FISHGUARD man has admitted assaulting a woman and damaging property during an incident earlier this year.

Peter Bromley, aged 50, of Parc y Chwarel, Fishguard, appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing.

He pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage.

The court heard that on January 13, 2026, at Fishguard, Bromley assaulted a woman by beating her.

During the same incident, he also damaged crockery belonging to her.

Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Bromley was remanded on conditional bail and must return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, February 26 at 12:00pm.

Strict bail conditions were imposed. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly and must not attend her address in Fishguard.

Sentencing will take place later this month.

 

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Crime

Pembroke Dock man admits threatening to hack woman’s head off with sword

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Court imposes strict bail conditions and bans contact with named individuals ahead of sentencing

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has admitted sending a message threatening serious violence and has been remanded on conditional bail while the court prepares a pre-sentence report.

Charles Bianchy, aged 37, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded guilty to making a communication conveying a threat of serious harm, contrary to Section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

The court heard that on September 16, 2025, at Pembroke Dock, Bianchy sent a message to a woman, threatening to hack that woman’s head off with a sword, intending, or being reckless as to whether, the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.

Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Bianchy was remanded on conditional bail and must attend the next hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, February 26 at 10:00am.

Strict bail conditions were imposed. He must not contact the alleged victim and one other witness to the case, directly or indirectly, and must not attend at a specified address in, Pembroke Dock.

He is also prohibited from entering any data, or permitting any data to be entered, onto any electronic network referencing the complainant .

The case will return to court later this month for sentencing.

(Image: File photo)

 

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Crime

Community order for man who breached sexual harm prevention order

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Walters fined and ordered to complete rehabilitation programme after admitting breach of court-imposed restrictions

A NARBERTH man has been handed a community order after admitting breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

John Walters, aged 61, Townmoor, Narberth, appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Tuesday (Feb 4).

The court heard that between December 5 and December 7, 2025, Walters breached the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which had been imposed by Swansea Crown Court in June 2022.

Walters indicated a guilty plea at an earlier hearing.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until August 3, 2027. As part of the sentence, he must complete the Building Choices Programme, consisting of 21 sessions, and comply with up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity at the direction of a responsible officer.

The court also fined him £200, stating the penalty was set as a punitive element.

Walters was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. A collection order was made for the money to be deducted from benefits at a rate of £20 per month.

Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are designed to restrict behaviour and protect the public. Breaching the terms of such an order is a criminal offence and can lead to further penalties, including imprisonment.

 

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