Crime

Woman jailed after springer spaniel found dead in Welsh home

Published

10 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

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

21 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

22 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.