Crime

Carmarthenshire woman who poured boiling water on mice sentenced

Published

11 months ago

April 29, 2025

A WOMAN has been banned from keeping animals for seven years and handed a suspended prison sentence after pouring boiling water and bleach on a group of wild mice trapped in a wheelie bin.

Carys Ann Roberts, aged 28, of Cross Hands Road, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that on 20 August 2024, at Maesawel, Black Lion Road, Cross Hands, Roberts caused unnecessary suffering to several small rodents — believed to be seven wild mice — by pouring bleach and boiling water over them, leading to burns and death.

Roberts had sent messages to a WhatsApp group of work colleagues, informing them of her intentions. Despite their pleas for her not to proceed, she carried out the act. The court heard she poured around half a bottle of bleach into the bin before adding boiling water from a kettle. After about five minutes, she placed the dead mice into a bin bag and left it out for collection the following day.

The matter was reported to police, who referred it to the RSPCA.

During sentencing on 17 April, the court was told that Roberts had apologised and claimed it was an error of judgement.

She was sentenced to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 18 months, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and must pay £400 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Roberts was also banned from keeping animals for seven years.

In sentencing remarks, the District Judge said: “This was a serious offence. Animals feel pain just as we do and are protected by law.”

An independent expert veterinary report presented to the court stated that the boiling water would have caused “severe burns” and “serious pain.” It added: “If the burns are extensive and involve most of the skin surface, they are liable to be fatal. Equally, depending on the quantity of water poured into the bin, the rodents may potentially have drowned, causing further pain, distress, and suffering.”

The report also confirmed that bleach would have caused “chemical burns.”

The court heard that Roberts had access to humane alternatives, including the offer of help from a pest control company or the option to release the mice away from the property.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben said: “All animals — big and small — deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. These mice suffered greatly and died as a result of intentional actions. She had been offered an alternative and advised against what she did, but sadly the mice suffered unnecessarily.”

For those concerned about mice or other rodents, the RSPCA advises simple and humane deterrent methods.

Rebecca Machin, RSPCA Scientific and Policy Officer, said: “There are several kinds of mouse in the UK, and they are an important part of our wildlife. To deter mice around the home, the key is to remove sources of food that attract them. Food should be stored in airtight containers, and crumbs should be cleaned up.

“Cotton wool balls soaked in peppermint, eucalyptus, or spearmint oil may help deter rodents, and holes should be blocked with ‘mouse mesh’, a type of wire wool rodents cannot nibble through. In gardens, planting daffodils, wood hyacinth and alliums can also help, as rodents dislike them. Keeping gardens tidy and moving furniture can also deter them, as rodents dislike sudden changes.

“If deterrents do not work, a professional pest controller can remove rodents humanely. However, long-term success depends on removing whatever attracted them in the first place.”

Crime

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

Published

7 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.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

8 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.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.