Puppies linked to Cardiff-based breeders netted £640,000 sold to customers in Pembrokeshire, court hears

THREE people who ran a large-scale illegal dog breeding operation that sold puppies across west Wales, including to buyers in Pembrokeshire, have been handed suspended prison sentences after a lengthy investigation uncovered more than £640,000 in unlawful sales.

Paul Xuereb, Samantha Xuereb and Matthew Anderson operated unlicensed dog breeding businesses in Cardiff between 2017 and 2022, deliberately avoiding animal welfare and licensing requirements while breeding and selling hundreds of puppies.

The court heard that the defendants used a network of companies, including Cardiff Canine Supplies Limited and Colour Coded Frenchies Fertility Clinic Ltd, to sell puppies to customers across Wales. The Herald understands that dogs bred as part of the operation were sold to buyers throughout Wales, including Pembrokeshire.

An investigation by Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) found the scale of the breeding operation far exceeded legal limits and involved systematic overbreeding using poor-quality breeding stock. This resulted in puppies being born with congenital defects and raised serious animal welfare concerns.

Paul and Samantha Xuereb were found to have bred 63 litters together, producing 259 puppies and generating more than £459,000 in sales. Matthew Anderson bred 35 litters, producing 159 puppies and earning over £181,000.

The court also heard that the defendants carried out veterinary procedures despite not being registered veterinary surgeons. These included blood testing, artificial insemination and the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines, all of which are tightly regulated under UK law.

Large sums of cash were seized from properties linked to the operation, while bank records revealed the significant income generated from the unlawful businesses over a five-year period.

All three defendants pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including fraudulent trading, breaches of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014, and the illegal possession and supply of veterinary medicines.

At sentencing, Paul Xuereb received a 23-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with ten rehabilitation activity days and 180 hours of unpaid work. Samantha Xuereb was handed a 15-month suspended sentence and ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work. Matthew Anderson received a 12-month suspended sentence with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act are ongoing, with the court expected to consider confiscation of criminal assets at a later date. Further financial penalties remain possible.

Councillor Norma Mackie, Cardiff Council’s cabinet member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services, said the case showed “a clear disregard for the law” and placed animal welfare at serious risk. She said the sentences reflected the seriousness of the offending and should act as a deterrent to others.

Residents with concerns about suspected illegal dog breeding are urged to contact Shared Regulatory Services on 0300 123 6696.

Defendant sent explicit content within minutes of contact after being told children were aged thirteen and fourteen

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man who sent explicit sexual videos and messages to what he believed were underage girls has been jailed after being exposed by online paedophile hunters.

Devon Wildgust, aged 22, was arrested after contacting two social media profiles on the Connect2.me platform in November, unaware that both accounts were decoys operated by adult volunteers.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Wildgust first made contact with a profile on November 16. Despite being told the girl was thirteen, he continued the conversation, exchanged phone numbers and moved the chat onto WhatsApp.

The court was told the conversation quickly became sexual. Wildgust sent a photograph of a naked woman and suggested the girl take similar images of herself. He later sent a video of himself masturbating and made sexually explicit comments after being shown a photograph purportedly of the girl wearing a school uniform.

In messages shown to the court, Wildgust made graphic remarks about wanting to remove the uniform and engage in sexual activity. He also claimed he had previously engaged in sexual behaviour involving a friend’s younger sister — a claim he later told police was untrue.

Three days later, Wildgust contacted a second decoy profile on the same platform. Just seventeen minutes after initiating the conversation, he sent another explicit video of himself masturbating.

After being told the second girl was fourteen, he asked whether she liked older men and requested nude images, including asking to see her breasts. When the decoy replied that her mother had warned her never to send pictures, Wildgust told her her mother did not need to know.

On November 22, members of a paedophile hunter group confronted Wildgust at his home address in Ammanford and detained him before contacting police.

Wildgust was arrested and his mobile phone was seized, though he refused to provide the PIN code. Police attempts to access the device using specialist software were unsuccessful.

Four days later, officers were called after Wildgust breached his bail conditions by attending his stepfather’s address and refusing to leave. The court heard he was fearful of being targeted in the community after his identity became known.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Geraint Walters said he was continually surprised that individuals were still committing such offences given the effectiveness of police investigations and online decoy operations.

He warned that consequences for offenders frequently extended beyond the courtroom, including being ostracised or driven out of their communities.

Defending, Emily Bennett said Wildgust had expressed disgust at his own actions and said the breach of bail occurred when he sought refuge after learning his identity had been circulated locally.

Wildgust, of Lon y Gruglas, Ammanford, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and one count of attempting to incite a child to engage in a sexual act. He had no previous convictions.

Taking into account his guilty pleas, Judge Walters sentenced him to two years in prison. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Wildgust was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

Support and advice

Anyone affected by sexual abuse, or concerned about the safety of a child, can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk for confidential advice and support.

Children and young people c

Stalking offence followed trial at Swansea Magistrates’ Court

A MILFORD HAVEN man previously convicted of stalking offences has been made the subject of a hospital order following a trial at Swansea Magistrates’ Court.

Jack Fletcher, aged 34, of Great North Road, Milford Haven, was found guilty after a contested hearing of stalking a woman in Swansea between September 1, 2024 and January 18, 2025.

The court heard that Fletcher denied the offence, which proceeded to a full trial. Following his conviction, magistrates imposed a hospital order, reflecting concerns around his mental health.

Fletcher was also made the subject of a two-year restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.

During proceedings, Fletcher was described as behaving disruptively in court, including shouting abuse and repeatedly thumping on the ceiling of his flat, which formed part of the evidence considered by magistrates.

The court concluded that a hospital order was the most appropriate disposal in the circumstances, prioritising treatment while maintaining protection for the victim through the restraining order.

Fletcher has appeared before the courts on previous stalking matters, with earlier cases heard in Pembrokeshire, making this the latest development in a series of prosecutions linked to similar behaviour.