Teenager admitted threatening victim with kitchen knife in public street and later assault

JACK GORNALL, aged 18, of no fixed abode, Carmarthen, has been remanded in custody after indicating guilty pleas a knife threat in a public place, a separate assault, and sending a message threatening death or serious harm.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that Gornall pleaded guilty to threatening a person with a blade in a public place, contrary to section 139AA of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

The court was told that on Wednesday, January 8, in Heol-y-Neuadd, Llandysul, Gornall had a kitchen knife with him in a public place and unlawfully and intentionally threatened another person, Kayden Kavouniaris.

Prosecutors said the threat was made in such a way that a reasonable person exposed to the same conduct would believe there was an immediate risk of physical harm.

Gornall also admitted a further offence of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm, contrary to section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

The court heard that on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Channings, Church Street, Llandysul, Gornall sent a message conveying a threat of death, intending, or being reckless as to whether, an individual encountering the message would fear that the threat would be carried out.

In addition, Gornall pleaded guilty to a separate offence of assault by beating, after assaulting Darren Hughes in Carmarthen on Sunday, October 27.

Magistrates were told that the offences are punishable by imprisonment and that Gornall was likely to offend if released. As a result, he was remanded in custody following conviction.

The case has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under the Sentencing Act 2020.

Gornall is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, February 9, at 9:00am for sentencing.

Magistrates issue warrant without bail after defendant fails to appear in A48 drug-driving case

JORDAN COOPER, aged 31, of Moorland Road, Cimla, Neath Port Talbot, is the subject of an arrest warrant without bail after failing to attend court in connection with an alleged drug-driving offence.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that Cooper is accused of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the legal limit, contrary to section 5A(1)(a) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The offence is alleged to have taken place on Friday (July 25) on the A48 at Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire.

According to the charge, Cooper was driving a black Ford Transit, registration EX08 OYU, when the proportion of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his blood was recorded at 6.2 micrograms, exceeding the prescribed legal limit.

The court was told that the offence is punishable by imprisonment for an adult offender, and magistrates issued a warrant for Cooper’s arrest without bail.

The case is being prosecuted by CPS Wales (South West).

The matter will return before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Town Hall Square, Llanelli.

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.