News

Watchdog scolds Welsh Government over ‘basic failings’ over Maritime Centre grant

Published

7 months ago

August 15, 2025

WALES’ Auditor General has criticised the Welsh Government over what he called “basic failings” in the handling of a £1.6 million grant for a proposed Maritime Centre in Porthcawl — a project that collapsed before completion.

Audit findings

Audit Wales said that between 2016 and 2017 the Welsh Government approved up to £2.7 million in potential funding — split between domestic funds and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grants — for the scheme run by Credu Charity Ltd.

By 2020, Credu had gone into voluntary liquidation and the project was abandoned, despite £1.6 million already being paid out. It is now considered unlikely that any of this money will be recovered.

Auditor General Adrian Crompton said there had been unclear accountability between the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) and Visit Wales, inadequate and late due diligence, and weak controls over expenditure claims. These weaknesses, he said, meant the project’s growing financial risks went unnoticed for too long.

Government response

Welsh Government officials have acknowledged the failings and say an internal review of the Tourism Attractor Destinations programme has led to stricter pre-payment checks, stronger due diligence, and improved monitoring of expenditure.

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Planning, has formally written off the £1.64 million loss — made up of £929,380 in ERDF funds and £712,302 in domestic match funding. Remaining funds were redirected to a smaller scheme at the Cosy Corner site in Bridgend, which has since supported local start-ups.

Calls for accountability

Mr Crompton said that while risk is inherent in grant-funded initiatives, the vulnerabilities in government systems for supporting charities and private bodies remain relevant.

South Wales Central MS Andrew RT Davies, former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, criticised the record of the current administration, saying: “Every penny lost is money that could be supporting local communities… This Welsh Government has a significant track record of pouring money into projects that just don’t get off the ground, at significant cost to the public purse.”

Looking ahead

The report makes no formal recommendations, partly because the case predates Brexit and the funding landscape has since changed. However, it stresses the importance of robust governance to protect public money.

The Welsh Government says the measures now in place will help ensure stronger oversight and prevent similar losses in the future.

Crime

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

Published

5 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

5 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

6 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.