Crime

Animal ban for owner who neglected his ‘extremely thin’ dogs

Published

7 months ago

November 5, 2025

Rottweilers Trixie and Prince were rescued by the RSPCA

A MAN who starved his two dogs for months has been banned from keeping animals for seven years following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Shaun Robert Ferguson, 45, of Camrose, Haverfordwest, but living in Plymouth, Devon at the time of the offences, was found guilty in his absence at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court of two animal welfare offences.

The court heard that Ferguson’s two rottweilers, named Prince and Trixie, were seized by police after serious concerns were raised about their treatment.

A vet who examined the dogs said: “Both the dogs were extremely thin and this alone would give cause for concern about their suffering. Both had mild to severe ligament or tendon laxities showing that their malnourishment or starvation would have been going on for at least three to four months.

“Prince was most affected, with a body condition score of just 1 – the lowest possible – and weighed only 27.7kg. Trixie also had a score of 1 and weighed 26kg. Prince was much taller and, as an entire male, should have been much heavier than Trixie.

“After being fed small amounts regularly and remaining in our care for 12 hours, Trixie had still not passed any faeces. This suggests she had not eaten for a long period before she was brought in.

“Prince passed faeces containing large amounts of plastic and other foreign material, indicating he had been eating anything he could find in his environment.”

Ferguson was sentenced to a 24-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and fined £300. He must also pay £1,000 in costs. In addition, he was banned from keeping animals for seven years and cannot appeal the disqualification for five years.

RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson, who led the investigation, said: “There is never an excuse to neglect or mistreat animals. Owners have a duty and responsibility to ensure the needs of their animals are met — including providing a suitable diet and proper care.”

In mitigation, Ferguson told the court his dogs were “his babies” and that he regretted being separated from them.

Trixie and Prince have since been signed over to the RSPCA for rehoming.

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

6 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Crime

Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts

Published

8 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.

Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.

The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.

The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.

After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

He will now be brought before the court once located by police.

Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.

Crime

Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store

Published

8 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.

Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.

The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.

Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.