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Crime

Whitland farmer, 70, jailed for “serious and prolonged” animal welfare offences

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A WHITLAND farmer has been jailed for eighteen weeks after being convicted of a string of serious animal welfare and cattle-identification offences at Penycraig Farm.

Ten-year ban from keeping animals

Thomas Raymond Jones, aged 70, of St John Street, Whitland, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 27), where he was handed an immediate custodial sentence and banned from owning or keeping animals for ten years.

The court also ordered that no application to lift the ban can be made for at least five years.

Jones was convicted following a series of prosecutions brought by Carmarthenshire County Council, relating to the condition and treatment of cattle and a dog kept at the farm between February and March 2024.

Dog left without suitable food, environment or vet care

Magistrates found Jones guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal—a dog—by failing to provide a suitable environment, diet, or veterinary treatment. He had pleaded not guilty but was convicted after trial on 21 October.

For this offence alone, the court said the matter crossed the custody threshold because of the seriousness, Jones’s lack of remorse, and his failure to engage with probation.

Cattle left lame, exposed to carcasses and inadequate shelters

Jones was also found guilty of failing to meet the needs of multiple bovine animals by not providing dry lying areas, allowing cattle access to a cow carcass, and failing to provide feed or water to various animals. One charge relating to failing to feed a cow and calf was dismissed at a later hearing.

In another case, he was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to nine lame bovines by failing to obtain treatment.

Magistrates imposed a concurrent eight-week sentence for these welfare-needs offences, leaving the overall prison term at eighteen weeks.

Major breaches of cattle ID and veterinary medicine rules

Jones was additionally convicted of:

  • failing to keep purchase records for veterinary medicines
  • failing to record the acquisition and use of Closamectin
  • failing to retain documentation for at least five years
  • failing to notify the deaths of two cows without passports
  • failing to register two bulls
  • failing to tag bison within the required time
  • failing to report missing or destroyed passports
  • failing to supply cattle-tracking information to Welsh Ministers
  • failing to notify movements of cattle
  • intentionally obstructing an inspector during a Veterinary Medicines Regulations investigation
  • failing to collect and secure animal by-products, including carcasses, on two separate occasions

Many of these matters carried no separate penalty but contributed to the overall disqualification and deprivation orders.

Animals seized and removed from Jones’s control

Under Section 33 of the Animal Welfare Act, magistrates ordered that Jones be deprived of ownership of all remaining cattle and calves on the holding, identified by their official tag numbers in the court register. The animals are to be removed and disposed of as directed.

More than £26,000 in costs

Jones was ordered to pay £26,805.10 in prosecution costs, along with a £154 victim services surcharge.
A collection order was made, with the full balance due by 28 May 2026.

Sentence

  • 18 weeks’ immediate custody
  • Eight weeks concurrent on secondary welfare charges (overall term remains 18 weeks)
  • £26,805.10 costs
  • £154 surcharge
  • Disqualified from owning or keeping animals for ten years
  • Deprivation order removing all animals from his control

The court emphasised that the offences were “so serious” that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

 

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

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MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).

 

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Crime

Llangadog man fined after breaching restraining order twice

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Court hears defendant contacted protected person despite ban

A LLANGADOG man has been fined £1,375 after twice breaching a restraining order by contacting a protected person he had been banned from approaching.

Adam Thomas Davies, 34, of Llangadog, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jun 15) for proceedings linked to an existing community order.

The court heard Davies had breached a restraining order on two separate occasions in June last year by contacting a person he had been prohibited from approaching under an order imposed by Llanelli Magistrates’ Court in November 2019.

Magistrates were told the original community order, imposed in August 2025, had become unworkable due to long-term physical health issues alongside Davies’ employment.

The court revoked the existing order and resentenced him for the original offences.

Davies was made subject to a new community order running until June 14, 2027. He must comply with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and attend appointments or activities as directed by probation services, for up to 15 days.

As a punitive element of the order, magistrates imposed a fine of £1,375.

The court heard the breaches related to unlawful contact made in Carmarthenshire despite the restrictions remaining in force.

Davies was ordered to pay the fine at a rate of £120 per month, starting from July 13.

 

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Crime

Road safety grant fund launched for community projects

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COMMUNITY groups, charities and local organisations across the Dyfed-Powys area are being invited to apply for funding for projects aimed at improving road safety.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has launched a new Road Safety Community Grant Fund to support local initiatives designed to reduce risks on the roads, raise awareness and encourage safer behaviour among drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The fund will support preventative projects led by communities, including education and awareness programmes, behaviour-change campaigns, road safety events, training and skills development, and evidence-led pilot schemes.

Applications will be assessed on their potential to improve road safety, provide value for money and deliver clear community benefits.

Mr Llywelyn said: “Keeping our communities safe on our roads is a fundamental part of our wider mission to protect the public and reduce harm.

“By investing in community-led initiatives, we are empowering local organisations to deliver practical, innovative solutions that improve road safety, change behaviours, and ultimately save lives.”

The fund forms part of the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029, which includes commitments to preventing harm, supporting safer communities and working in partnership on issues affecting local people.

Further details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, are available on the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.

The fund closes at 10:00pm on Sunday, July 19.

 

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