Crime

Woman jailed after springer spaniel found dead in Welsh home

Published

4 months ago

August 14, 2025

Inspector says dog was ‘skinniest’ they had seen in 15 years

A WOMAN has been jailed and banned from keeping animals for life after her emaciated springer spaniel was found dead in a Neath property.

The body of the dog, named Areo, was discovered by South Wales Police and the RSPCA on 5 December last year. Officers found him hidden under a hi-vis jacket in the kitchen.

A vet later described Areo as being in “one of the worst body conditions” they had ever seen, with all bones visible and almost no muscle mass remaining. His body condition score was one out of nine, with four or five considered normal.

Jessica Catherine Louise Edwards, 28, of Fairyland, Neath, was convicted at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 1 July of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 — causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet an animal’s needs.

On Tuesday (12 August) she was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for each charge, to run concurrently, and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge. She was also disqualified from keeping animals for life.

The court heard that Areo had been left without adequate food or water for months. A vet said it would take around three months on water alone, with no food, for a dog to reach such an emaciated state — suffering severe hunger throughout.

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Gemma Cooper, who attended the property, said: “All of his bones were visible. I do not believe I have ever seen such a skinny dog in nearly 15 years as an RSPCA Inspector. Poor Areo was left all alone and would have experienced such suffering and hunger. It is never acceptable to abandon any animal — our hearts go out to Areo.”

The offences related to the period between 1 July 2024 and 4 December 2024. Edwards failed to provide adequate nutrition and water, left the dog unattended without proper care arrangements, and kept him in an unsuitable and unclean environment.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

11 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

11 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

11 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.