News

Young woman’s plea to public: Don’t film crash scenes – show compassion instead

Published

9 months ago

July 2, 2025

Trauma campaign launched following father’s near-fatal accident

A YOUNG woman whose father was left with life-changing injuries after a crash has joined a powerful new campaign urging people in Pembrokeshire and beyond to stop filming at the scene of serious incidents.

Eve Thomas, who was just 17 when her father Nigel was struck by a car while cycling home from work, said the trauma of the crash was made significantly worse by people filming the aftermath on their mobile phones and uploading the footage to social media.

The campaign – It’s not your story to tell – is being led by the South Wales Trauma Network and is supported by emergency services and hospitals across Wales, including Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest, which forms part of the network’s rural trauma response.

Speaking about the day of the incident, Eve said: “I was on my school bus when we were stopped due to a crash. I saw my dad’s bike – I recognised it immediately because I had put the stickers on it. Students started filming on their phones, and I knew deep down it was him.”

Nigel, then 65 and a delivery driver, was left in an induced coma and spent nine months in hospital. Eve said the family endured intense pain not only from his injuries but also from the circulation of speculation and graphic footage online.

“My godmother called us after seeing a post on social media – she thought Dad had died,” said Eve, who is now 25 and her father’s primary carer. “No family should have to go through that. The ways things were filmed and shared became a big part of what I had to work through in therapy.”

Pembrokeshire’s emergency responders are all too familiar with the dangers of mobile phone use at incident scenes – not only for the dignity of those involved, but because it often interferes with the work of ambulance crews and firefighters.

Andrea Bradley, a senior nurse and Operations Manager at the South Wales Trauma Network, co-produced the campaign alongside Eve. “We’re incredibly proud of Eve’s bravery,” she said. “Filming crash victims not only affects those individuals and their families – it can hinder our ability to save lives.”

The trauma network includes local response from Withybush General Hospital, as well as Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, both of which serve rural communities like Pembrokeshire where long-distance travel times can already complicate emergency care.

Welsh Government Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy MS, added: “What might feel like a moment of curiosity – a quick photo or video – can have devastating long-term effects on those involved. I commend Eve for speaking out.”

The Herald understands this is part of a wider push across Wales to challenge public attitudes towards crash scenes, with a focus on education, dignity and the importance of calling for help rather than capturing content.

Eve concluded: “That person in front of you is someone’s parent, child, or best friend. Would you want someone filming your loved one when they were at their most vulnerable?”

With Pembrokeshire’s roads often busy in the summer and a growing number of cycling and motorbike incidents reported annually, the campaign hopes to influence behaviour across the region and beyond.

Crime

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

Published

8 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

8 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

9 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.