Crime

Trefin dog case ends in forfeiture order after protection notice breach

Published

3 months ago

December 14, 2025

Village protest followed months of complaints about barking

A WOMAN from north Pembrokeshire has been fined £1,000 and ordered to forfeit four dogs after repeatedly breaching a Community Protection Notice issued following complaints and protests in her village.

Julia Goodgame, aged fifty-eight, of Bryn Y Derwydd, Trefin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 11), where she admitted failing to comply with the terms of a notice served by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The court heard that on Friday (June 20) Goodgame failed to secure control of her dogs just three days after a Community Protection Notice was issued on Tuesday (June 17). The notice was served under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The case followed months of complaints from residents in Trefin relating to dog noise and control. Earlier this year, the dispute escalated into a public protest in the village, with a number of residents gathering to raise concerns about constant barking and its impact on daily life.

Goodgame had previously denied breaching the notice when she first appeared before magistrates in September. At that hearing, the council alleged multiple breaches across June and July and said enforcement action had been taken only after informal measures failed. A trial was later listed for Monday (Nov 10), with several witnesses expected to give evidence.

However, at the November hearing, Goodgame changed her plea from not guilty to guilty to one offence, with the remaining allegations not proceeded with.

As part of Wednesday’s sentence, magistrates ordered the immediate forfeiture and seizure of four Border Collie dogs, which Goodgame told the court were the only dogs in her possession.

Authorised officers from Pembrokeshire County Council are permitted to seize the dogs, with custody transferred to the council or an approved animal welfare organisation to ensure their humane handling and care. The court granted the council powers to rehome the dogs through reputable animal welfare organisations, or to destroy them if deemed necessary.

Goodgame was also ordered to pay the reasonable costs of seizure, transport, detention and any veterinary treatment required, along with additional enforcement costs.

A Criminal Behaviour Order was imposed until further order of the court. The order prohibits Goodgame from allowing her dogs to create unreasonable noise, leaving dogs outdoors while she is absent from the property, or allowing dog faeces to accumulate at the address. Any waste stored on the premises must be kept in secured bins away from boundary fences.

In addition to the £1,000 fine, she was ordered to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £1,200 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, allowing deductions to be taken directly from benefits if necessary.

The forfeiture order was made under section 50 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Councillor Jacob Williams, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services said: “The
Council welcomes the outcome of this court case, which was the culmination of
coordinated action between public protection, housing services and the police.
“It is unfortunate that in leading to this position, residents of the area have had to
endure long periods of inconvenience and distress as a result of the situation, which
hopefully will now be resolved.”

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

4 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

4 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.