Crime

Cannabis dealer caught with thousands in cash and drugs hidden in bedroom safe

Published

2 months ago

December 22, 2025

A WOMAN was arrested in Haverfordwest after police found thousands of pounds in cash and a large quantity of cannabis concealed in a safe under her bed.

Samantha Whelton, aged 39, was stopped by officers on October 25 while carrying a Tesco carrier bag containing £3,000 in cash. The money, made up of £10 and £20 notes, was discovered during her arrest in the town.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson told the court Whelton claimed the cash was savings she intended to use to buy a car.

Following her arrest, Dyfed-Powys Police searched Whelton’s home on Heol Derwen, Merlin’s Bridge. During the search, officers discovered a “bag for life” underneath her bed containing a safe which smelled strongly of cannabis.

Inside the safe were 688 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of up to £4,200. Police also seized four mobile phones and four tablet devices from the property.

During interview, Whelton maintained the cash had come from benefits savings and gambling winnings. She denied ownership of the safe and suggested someone else must have placed it in her home, claiming she had left her back door unlocked.

Whelton later pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply. A separate charge of possession of criminal property was not pursued by the prosecution.

The court heard Whelton has four previous convictions for six offences. In June last year, she received a suspended sentence for possession with intent to supply cocaine and obstructing police.

Defence solicitor Emily Bennett said Whelton’s early guilty plea should be treated as significant mitigation.

“She has taken responsibility for her actions and deeply regrets what she has done,” she told the court. “This defendant struggles with substance misuse.”

Ms Bennett also said Whelton is the primary carer for her teenage child and highlighted the impact of imprisonment, noting that any custodial sentence would mean serving time a considerable distance from home due to the lack of women’s prisons in Wales.

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Whelton to 12 months, and activated 10 months her suspended sentence to run consecutively.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will be heard in April 2026.

Crime

Driver accused of dangerous driving sent to Crown Court

Published

51 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Alleged incident in Ammanford

A MOTORIST accused of dangerous driving has been sent to the Crown Court following a hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Kyle Morgan, aged 27, of Heol Y Meinciau, Pontyates, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) charged with driving dangerously.

The court heard that the alleged offence took place on February 14 this year on Dyffryn Road, Ammanford.

Prosecutors allege that Morgan drove a motor vehicle in a manner that fell far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and that it would have been obvious to a competent driver that driving in that way was dangerous.

Dangerous driving is one of the most serious road traffic offences and carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a mandatory driving disqualification.

Magistrates were told that because of the seriousness of the allegation the case should be dealt with by the Crown Court.

Morgan was therefore sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance.

Crime

Witness intimidation allegation sent to Crown Court

Published

52 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant accused of confronting man connected to criminal case

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with intimidating a witness connected to a criminal investigation.

Justin Griffiths, aged 41, of Brynhaul Street, Llanelli, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) accused of attempting to interfere with the course of justice.

The court heard that the alleged incident took place on February 10 this year in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that Griffiths approached and verbally confronted a man whom he knew to be a witness in an ongoing criminal matter. It is claimed that his behaviour was intended to intimidate the individual and discourage them from assisting the police investigation.

The charge states that Griffiths intimidated a witness in order to obstruct, pervert or interfere with the course of justice, contrary to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Witness intimidation offences are treated particularly seriously by the courts because they can undermine the integrity of criminal proceedings and discourage victims or witnesses from coming forward.

Magistrates were told that because of the nature of the allegation and the potential seriousness of the offence, the case was unsuitable for summary trial.

The court therefore sent Griffiths to Swansea Crown Court, where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next appearance at the Crown Court.

Crime

Steelworks theft conspiracy case sent to Crown Court

Published

57 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Tin ingot theft alleged

THREE men have been sent to the Crown Court accused of conspiring to steal valuable materials from the Tata Steel plant at Trostre.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5), where the defendants appeared charged with conspiracy to steal tin ingots from the Trostre Steelworks in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that the three men – Christopher Carter, aged 38, of Pemberton Road, Llanelli; Scott Phillips, aged 37, of Bryngwyn Road, Llanelli; and Gareth Lewis, aged 41, of Heol Stanllyd, Llanelli – entered into an agreement to steal quantities of tin ingots belonging to Tata Steel UK.

The alleged conspiracy is said to have taken place over an extended period between July 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024.

Tin ingots are a processed metal product used in steel coating and manufacturing, and the material produced at Trostre is widely used in the packaging industry, including food and drink containers.

The charge alleges that the defendants dishonestly agreed together to remove the metal from the steelworks without authority, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Conspiracy offences are treated seriously by the courts as they involve agreements between two or more people to commit a criminal offence.

Because of the seriousness of the allegation and the potential value of the materials involved, magistrates ruled that the case was not suitable to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

All three defendants were sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.