Crime

Labrador left to suffer in excrement after owner ignored desperate pleas

Published

4 months ago

November 18, 2025

Ten-year-old dog found emaciated with facial wound as judge warns custody “starting point” for sentence

A COURT has been shown harrowing footage of a ten-year-old labrador found wallowing in its own excrement with a severe facial injury, signs of malnutrition and an inadequate supply of water.

Residents in Milton Crescent, Milford Haven raised the alarm after hearing the dog – known as Andy – howling continuously for three days.

This week the owner, Candice Mottram, 32, appeared before a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where she pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the animal’s veterinary needs were met.

RSPCA inspectors and Pembrokeshire County Council officers discovered the dog on April 5 after repeated attempts to contact Mottram went unanswered.

“The RSPCA received information that a dog had been heard howling for three days and three nights at the defendant’s address,” said Kevin Withey, prosecuting on behalf of the charity. “But the defendant was not there.”

Messages were sent to Mottram warning that the dog was injured and bleeding from its mouth but, despite the messages being received, the court heard she gave no response.

Police eventually forced entry to the property, where inspectors were met with an “overwhelming smell of animal faeces” coming from the kitchen. Inside, they found Andy.

“There was excrement all over the floor and it became clear the dog was emaciated,” Mr Withey said. “When he was let out into the garden, he immediately began drinking from a dirty water butt.”

Mottram had been drinking in a local pub before returning to the address a short time later. “She was defensive and irate when asked about the dog’s condition, claiming she had provided treatment historically,” he added.

With Mottram’s permission, the dog was removed and taken to a veterinary clinic. There, Andy was assessed to be in very poor body condition, scoring two – possibly three – out of ten.

“He was extremely emaciated, had eye and ear problems, and the cut to his face was either an old wound or a burst abscess full of discharge,” said Mr Withey. “This caused unnecessary suffering due to prolonged neglect and the defendant’s deliberate choice not to seek veterinary care.”

Photographs of the dog were shown to District Judge Layton.

Given the seriousness of the case, the judge adjourned sentencing to December 17 to allow the probation service to prepare an all-options report. Judge Layton warned Mottram that the starting point for her sentence is 18 weeks in custody.

Crime

Motorist loses licence after report of drink-driving from Narberth pub

Published

5 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A woman who was reported to police for drink-driving from a Narberth pub has been banned from the roads

A COURT has heard how a motorist was arrested by police officers following a call stating that she was drink-driving from the Ivy Bush in Narberth.

The call was made just after 10pm on February 22.

“The caller stated that Tanya Hanna was drinking-driving from the Ivy Bush in a Mercedes,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When Hanna, 36, was apprehended by officers at Kiln Park Road, a roadside breath test proved positive while further tests at the police station showed she had 47 mcg of alcohol in her system, the legal limit being 35.

Hanna, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge. She was represented in court by Michael Kelleher.

“It wasn’t the most pleasant situation when someone took umbrage with Tanya and phoned the police,” he said. “As a result, she has lost her job.

“She knows she’s let herself and her family down, because without a driving licence, it’ll be very difficult for her to keep in regular contact with them, having to rely on public transport.”

Hanna, of Beach Hotel, Marsh Road, Pendine, was disqualified from driving for 14 months. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Driver banned after drink-driving on Cleddau Bridge

Published

6 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving on Cleddau Bridge when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Andrew Evans, 36, was stopped by officers just before 1am on February 25 as he drove his Nissan Qashqai northwards towards Neyland.

After providing a positive roadside breath test, subsequent tests carried out at the police station showed he had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

This week Evans, of Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“He believed he’d allowed enough time for the alcohol to pass through his system but that, unfortunately for him, was a dreadful mistake although his alcohol levels were decreasing all the time,” said Mr Kelleher.

Evans, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for 13 months. He was fined £461 and ordered to pay a £184 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Teen avoids jail after knife incident in Tenby

Published

6 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

He was found carrying a kitchen knife in Tenby town centre has been handed a suspended sentence

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being found in possession of a bladed article in Tenby town centre.

Police officers were called to The Glebe in the early hours of April 26, 2025, following a call from a member of the public that a male had been seen carrying an offensive weapon. There they found Teilo Griffiths in possession of a kitchen knife.

“The defendant’s mother contacted the police at around 2am, reporting an ongoing incident with her son,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.”

While Mrs Griffiths was on the phone, her son left the home address.

“A young male was then reported to be walking around Tenby town centre in possession of a kitchen knife,” continued Linda Baker. “He wasn’t making threats to anyone but he was under the influence.”

Griffiths, of The Glebe, Tenby, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the knife and was represented in court by Tom Lloyd.

“When he was arrested, he was open and honest straight away, and admitted he couldn’t remember what had happened,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He’d been out with friends, he was over excited, people were buying him drinks, and this wasn’t something he was used to. He went totally over the top and can’t remember what happened.”

Griffiths was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and a 12 month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the knife.