Faeces on walls, maggots in bedding: Judge brands home ”a pigsty’

A PEMBROKESHIRE mother has avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting to neglecting her children in a home described by a judge as “appalling”.

The woman – who cannot be named to protect the identity of her children – appeared before Swansea Crown Court on two counts of wilful child neglect. The court heard that the conditions inside the family’s Milford Haven property were so dire that social services deemed it unfit for habitation.

The case came to light after repeated concerns were raised by the children’s schools, who had flagged ongoing issues with hygiene and wellbeing dating back to 2019. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that teachers noted a persistent foul smell, dirty fingernails, unwashed lunchboxes, and children frequently arriving at school tired and without sufficient food.

In one disturbing incident, a child told a teacher they were unable to sleep due to maggots in their bed. Another was seen using a mouldy towel after swimming lessons. When asked to describe their home, the children said their mother could not enter their bedrooms because of the mess.

On June 14 last year, officers from Pembrokeshire County Council visited the property following a school referral. What they discovered was described as appalling: faeces smeared on walls and floors upstairs, rubbish and flies in the children’s rooms, and a fridge full of expired food. A broken washing machine blocked the dining room.

Social workers instructed the family to temporarily move in with relatives. However, a follow-up inspection revealed little had changed, and the mother was subsequently arrested.

During police interview, she admitted the situation had deteriorated, claiming she had become “nose-blind” to the smell and had “put her head in the sand like an ostrich”.

Hannah George, defending, said her client was deeply ashamed and had taken steps to improve her situation following the loss of a close family member. The court was told the mother, who is in her thirties and has no previous convictions, had engaged with social services, mental health teams, and completed several parenting courses.

Although she no longer has custody of her children, social services are planning a phased return under supervision.

Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned the conditions as “a pigsty” and handed the woman a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years. She must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.

A trial date has been set following the death of six-month-old Sophia Kelemen

A MAN has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of a baby girl who was struck by a car in a multi-storey car park in Tenby.

Flaviu Naghi, aged 34, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he denied two charges: causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs.

The charges relate to an incident on January 2 in the ground-level section of a car park in Tenby, where six-month-old Sophia Kelemen, from the Leigh area of Manchester, was hit by a vehicle.

She died in hospital the following day.

During a short hearing, Mr Naghi, of Rondini Avenue, Luton, Bedfordshire, confirmed his name and entered his pleas. Judge Catherine Richards adjourned proceedings and granted him conditional bail.

He is expected to stand trial on June 2, with the case scheduled to last one week.

The prosecution is being led by Tom Crowther KC, while John Hipkin KC represents the defendant.

An inquest previously opened at Pembrokeshire Coroner’s Court in January, where it was heard that Sophia died from an intracranial haemorrhage as a result of a road traffic collision.

Investigation continues after person dies at Glenview Avenue property

TWO men arrested following a sudden death at a property in Pembroke Dock have been released on police bail, while a woman remains under investigation.

The incident took place on Tuesday evening (May 20) at around 7:30pm, when emergency services were called to a medical emergency at a residential address on Glenview Avenue.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, one person was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased has not yet been formally confirmed, but it is understood the individual may have been a woman. Next of kin have been informed and HM Coroner has been notified.

A large number of police officers remained at the property overnight as investigations got underway.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that three people were arrested at the scene on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Two of those – men aged 55 and 53 – have since been released on police bail, while a 25-year-old woman has been released under investigation.

The Herald understands that the 25-year-old woman had appeared in court earlier on Tuesday and narrowly avoided a custodial sentence.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Officers were called to assist paramedics following a report of a medical emergency at a property on Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock at around 7:30pm on Tuesday (May 20). Sadly, one person died at the scene.

“Three people were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Two men, aged 55 and 53, have been released on police bail and one woman, aged 25, has been released under investigation.

“Enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death are ongoing.”

Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via 101 or by reporting online.