Crime

Labrador left to suffer in excrement after owner ignored desperate pleas

Published

7 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

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

4 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

4 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.