Dead nest discovered near Wrexham as Welsh Government urges public to report sightings to protect bees and other pollinators

A DEAD nest of the yellow-legged hornet has been found near Wrexham, in the first confirmed discovery of the invasive insect in Wales.

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax), also known as the Asian hornet, is not native to the UK. It originates from Asia and was first seen in France in 2004 before spreading to a number of European countries including Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and Germany.

Welsh Government officials say the insect poses a risk to honey bees and other pollinating insects, and are asking the public to remain vigilant and report suspected sightings.

The yellow-legged hornet was first sighted in England in 2016, and action has been taken every year since to locate and destroy nests.

While queens hibernate over winter, the insect is active from February to November and is most likely to be seen from July onwards. The Welsh Government has asked the National Bee Unit, part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to take action in line with the Asian Hornet Contingency Plan.

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies said the National Bee Unit had years of experience tracking and locating yellow-legged hornets, adding that its expertise would be “invaluable” in helping Wales respond.

He also thanked beekeepers and members of the public who continue to report suspected sightings and urged people to familiarise themselves with what the hornets look like as the weather warms up in spring and into the summer.

Anyone who suspects they have seen a yellow-legged hornet is being asked to report it using the ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ mobile app, available on Apple and Android, or by using the online report form.

Reports should include a photograph and the location of the sighting to help experts confirm identification. Identification guides and further information are available online.

Yellow-legged hornets are not generally aggressive, but people are advised not to approach or disturb a nest, as the insects can become aggressive if they perceive a threat.

Medical advice about hornet stings is available via the NHS website.

Pensioner describes ‘terrifying’ struggle as suspect made off before being arrested again

A RETIRED Haverfordwest woman has described a “terrifying” incident in which she said a man assaulted two female police officers during an arrest in the town on Monday night (Jan 19).

The pensioner told The Herald she witnessed the incident at around 8:15pm in City Road, where she said officers were detaining a barefoot man and attempting to handcuff him on the ground.

She claimed the man got back to his feet during the struggle, grabbed one of the officers’ batons and began striking out, assaulting both officers.

The woman said she was left shaken by what she saw, and that a young man who also witnessed events told her he did not want to intervene because he “didn’t know if he was carrying anything.”

She said police quickly put out a distress call and a number of officers were mobilised to search for the suspect, who she claimed ran off with the baton.

Dyfed-Powys Police have since confirmed officers were called “just before 8.20pm” on Monday to reports of assault and criminal damage at a property in Haverfordwest.

A police spokesperson said the man left the scene but was “quickly located and arrested on St David’s Road.” Police said he resisted arrest during which he assaulted two officers, before making off again.

The spokesperson added: “The man made off and was later located and arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage. He currently remains in police custody.”

Police said both officers attended hospital for treatment and were later discharged.

Chief Inspector Mike Llewellyn said: “Assaults on police officers should never be considered as ‘part of the job’. Both officers acted with courage in an incredibly difficult situation. Neither took a step backward and did everything they could to detain the man.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.

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RSPCA officers said the stench hit them before they entered a Coombs Road home where dogs, puppies, snakes and other animals were living in waste

A COUPLE from Milford Haven have been jailed after nearly 50 animals were found living in filthy, faeces-filled conditions at a house on Coombs Road.

Lee Lock, 38, and Zoe Graham, 33, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where they admitted a string of animal welfare offences.

RSPCA officers who attended the property on December 29, 2024 said the stench of urine and faeces was overpowering before they had even stepped inside.

Once in the house, inspectors found 29 dogs and puppies – including some just days old – along with 17 snakes, a tortoise and a gecko.

The court heard every floor was covered in waste, with officers describing there being “no space large enough to step” that was not contaminated by excrement and urine.

Many of the animals were described as underweight and unwell. Several died soon after being removed, while others had to be put to sleep.

Officers also made two grim discoveries: the body of a French Bulldog in a freezer, said to be heavily infected with parasites, and another French Bulldog found dead in a shed with a rectal tear, which the court heard was consistent with a blunt object being inserted.

Lock gave no comment during interview, but later became abusive towards officers, the court was told, accusing them of raping his dog.

Lock also faced separate drug charges after police found psilocybin mushrooms weighing 209 grams – said to be worth up to £4,000 – along with cultivation equipment, 35 grams of cannabis and £883 in cash. The drugs were found at the property and in his camper van in June 2024.

He claimed his partner had grown the mushrooms and said he was taking them to a police station when he was stopped.

The court heard Lock has 12 previous convictions for 19 offences, including coercive behaviour, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 18 months last June after crashing head-on into a van.

Defending, Emily Bennett said Lock had struggled with his mental health after family bereavements and had a long-standing cocaine addiction. She told the court he was being sentenced for failing to seek veterinary help for an injured dog rather than causing the injuries, adding that a pre-sentence report raised concerns about his sexual interests, though this did not form part of the prosecution case.

Graham’s barrister, Jon Tarrant, said the couple had started out trying to provide homes for homeless animals, but matters became “unmanageable” as numbers grew. He described Graham as “fragile” and said her remorse was “palpable and genuine”.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said the pair bore responsibility for “a litany of unconscionable cruelty to animals” and said it was to their shame the animals had been kept in “filthy conditions”.

Lock was sentenced to 27 months for the animal offences and a further 18 months for the drugs matter, making a total of 45 months in prison. Graham was jailed for 18 months.

Both will serve up to half of their sentences in custody before being released on licence.

Lock was banned from keeping animals for 25 years. Graham was disqualified for 15 years.