News

Minor reshuffle in Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet

Published

11 months ago

May 1, 2025

WELSH Conservative leader Darren Millar MS has announced changes to his Shadow Cabinet following the election of Peter Fox MS as Chair of the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee.

The reshuffle, which the party has described as “minor,” sees Sam Rowlands MS take on responsibility for Transport and Infrastructure in addition to his existing role as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Policy Director.

Meanwhile, Samuel Kurtz MS will now lead on Rural Affairs alongside his current briefs for the Economy and Energy.

The Herald understands the move was prompted by the departure of Russell George MS from the Shadow Health brief, a change that forced a wider rethink of responsibilities.

Laura Anne Jones MS, who now holds the portfolio for Local Government, Housing and the Armed Forces, is not expected to remain in the post long-term, according to internal sources.

Darren Millar said: “With Peter Fox now chairing the Senedd Health Committee, I’m pleased to make some minor adjustments to ensure we continue to have the strongest team to hold Labour to account.

“Sam Rowlands will lead our opposition to the disastrous 20mph speed limits and Labour’s anti-motorist stance, while continuing to push for investment in our crumbling infrastructure.

“And with his strong farming background, Samuel Kurtz is well placed to fight for rural communities and ensure our farmers have a real voice in Welsh politics.”

Rowlands said he was “delighted” to take on the extra responsibility for transport and infrastructure.

He added: “Labour’s default 20mph zones and their road-building ban are holding Wales back. Only a Welsh Conservative government will stand up for motorists and fix the mess created over the last 26 years.”

Kurtz echoed the sentiment, saying: “Farming needs a friend—and that friend is the Welsh Conservatives. I will fight to give our rural communities the support they have been denied for far too long.”

The updated Shadow Cabinet is as follows:

Leader of the Opposition – Darren Millar MS
Deputy Leader, Chief Whip, Constitution – Paul Davies MS
Finance, Transport and Infrastructure – Sam Rowlands MS
Economy, Energy and Rural Affairs – Samuel Kurtz MS
Health and Social Care – James Evans MS
Education – Natasha Asghar MS
Culture, Tourism, Sport, North Wales – Gareth Davies MS
Climate Change and Environment – Janet Finch-Saunders MS
Counsel General, Delivery, External Affairs, Welsh Language – Tom Giffard MS
Equalities and Social Justice – Altaf Hussain MS
Children, Young People, Mental Health, Wellbeing – Joel James MS
Local Government, Housing, Armed Forces – Laura Anne Jones MS

Crime

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

Published

16 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

16 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

17 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.