News

Council warning over faulty installation of wood or coal burners

Published

10 years ago

December 3, 2015

County Hall

HOUSEHOLDERS in Pembrokeshire who have had wood or coal burning stoves installed in their properties by the late Steven Poole from Johnston are urged to avoid using them and to get them checked as soon as possible, as they could be dangerous.

The advice comes from Pembrokeshire County Council and HETAS, the official body recognised by government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services.

It follows a court case in which Mr Poole (trading as SM Poole) pleaded guilty to regularly fitting wood burning stoves in Pembrokeshire contrary to legal requirements.

The case was heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court a short while before his death, of which Council officers were sorry to learn.

The court heard that he sometimes fitted flue connections incorrectly so that they were dangerous. He was also supposed to supply and fit carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, which he failed to do.

He would then certify to HETAS (the Heating Equipment Testing & Approval Scheme) with whom he was registered, that he had correctly carried out the installation and all safety requirements when he had not.

HETAS recommend that any stoves fitted by SM Poole should be tested by an independent HETAS-registered engineer to establish whether they are safe to use, if this has not already been done.

“Mr Poole fitted a large number of wood or coal burning stoves in Pembrokeshire over the last six or seven years,” said Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services.

“We are very concerned that there could be several hundred incorrectly fitted stoves in the county, which may very likely be unsafe.”

The prosecution was brought by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection Trading Standards team. It followed a consumer complaint received about a wood burning stove which Mr Poole fitted at the consumer’s home. Mr Poole was formally interviewed and admitted to officers that he regularly fitted wood burning stoves contrary to legal requirements.

The information was passed to HETAS who tested 12 appliances installed by SM Poole, and reported that 10 out of the 12 stoves were found to be dangerous.

HETAS subsequently wrote to more than 500 of its customers, suggesting they should have their appliances tested, and have dealt with the responses from customers who responded with concerns.

However, Cllr George said that Pembrokeshire’s Public Protection department was not convinced that many people had responded to the letters.

“We are concerned that a significant number of people may not have responded to the letters and we urge anyone affected to contact HETAS without delay,” he said.

There may also be other consumers whose details were not passed to HETAS by Mr Poole and who would not be on the HETAS database.

HETAS CEO Bruce Allen says regular chimney sweeping and stove servicing is essential to keep appliances operating safely and should be happening as part of a normal safety routine for stove owners.

“Many customers will have had stoves serviced and chimneys swept since the installation as part of the regular safety routine required for wood or coal burning stoves, so will already be aware if there are any safety issues,” he said.

“If there is any doubt, get a HETAS registered installer or chimney sweep to undertake the necessary maintenance and safety checking.

“In particular, householders need to ensure ventilators are never blocked and batteries of CO alarms should be regularly tested.”

ADVICE:

The advice to anyone who has had a wood or coal burning stove fitted by SM Poole is as follows:

∙ Do not use the stove unless or until it has been checked by an independent HETAS-registered engineer or a HETAS-approved chimney sweep

∙ Buy a carbon monoxide detector if you don’t have one already. Carbon monoxide detectors are available at most supermarkets or home and garden stores

CONTACT:

∙ Contact HETAS for details of local HETAS-registered engineers or HETAS-approved chimney sweeps who can come and check your wood or coal burning stove. HETAS can also provide more information and advice

∙ Telephone: 01684 278170

∙ Email: [email protected]

∙ The HETAS office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm, closing on Friday at 4:30pm

∙ There is also lots of advice and a list of local HETAS-registered engineers and chimney sweeps on their website at www.hetas.co.uk

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.