News

Castle Pill Boat Club allegations prompt Port response

Published

7 months ago

August 13, 2025

THE PORT of Milford Haven has responded to allegations of mismanagement at Castle Pill Boat Club, stressing that it has no authority to intervene in internal club matters.

In recent weeks, concerns have been raised by some members of Castle Pill Boat Club over financial transparency, mooring fee payments, and the general condition of the compound, where several boats appear to have been left unused for extended periods and rubbish has accumulated around the site.

Photos seen by The Pembrokeshire Herald show discarded ropes, damaged equipment, and overgrown weeds surrounding vessels and trailers. Critics of the current committee say the club is being “run down” and claim that governance and record-keeping have fallen short of expected standards.

The Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, Mike Ryan, told The Herald:
“Castle Pill is one of twelve designated ‘Voluntary Control Areas’. A Voluntary Controlled Area (VCA) within the Port of Milford Haven refers to a mooring zone where the management of moorings is delegated by Milford Haven Port Authority to local community organisations, known as Voluntary Control Bodies (VCBs). These VCBs, often local yacht or boat clubs, oversee the administration of moorings on behalf of the Port and The Crown Estate. They are responsible for tasks such as processing mooring applications, maintaining records of mooring holders and their vessels, and ensuring adherence to licensing requirements. The day-to-day management is conducted by the Voluntary Control Officer (VCO) (or Club’s mooring officer) who liaises directly with the Port.

“The Port of Milford Haven has no authority to intervene in any internal Club matters and any allegations of a criminal nature should be reported to Dyfed Powys Police.”

Mooring and Crown Estate fees

Mr Ryan explained that within a VCA, mooring licence fees and Crown Estate charges are collected by the club’s own mooring officer:
“Fees for mooring licences within a VCA are taken by the Voluntary Control Officer for that VCA. For all other moorings, the Port collects relevant fees. If a mooring holder is moored within a Voluntary Controlled Area and wishes to pay fees direct to the Port they should seek prior agreement with the Officer for that VCA.

“In much the same way that mooring licence fees are collected, Crown Estate charges for moorings within a VCA are collected by the Officer for that VCA. For all moorings outside of a VCA, the Port collects and administers Crown Estate charges. We are therefore unable to confirm how many boats within each VCA have paid Crown Estate charges.”

Recent inspections

The Harbourmaster confirmed that an inspection of Castle Pill moorings was carried out on 28 July, followed by a meeting with the club’s mooring officer on 7 August to discuss findings.
“These findings will be shared at a meeting with Castle Pill Boat Club committee members on 20 August,” he added.

Mr Ryan reiterated that the Port has “no oversight of any VCA/Boat Club finances” and “no authority to inspect or have oversight of the financial transparency or governance of any Voluntary Control Bodies.”

Crime

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

Published

10 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

10 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

11 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.