News
Meat unfit for human consumption turned into £276,000 worth of ‘smokies’
THE OPERATORS of livestock markets in west Wales have been warned by a judge today they are “skirting with the law” if they pretend not to know they are dealing with illegal food traders.
The warning came as Robert Gordon Thomas, 39, was sentenced for blowtorching old sheep fit only for the pet food industry and turning them into £276,000 worth of “smokies.”
Smokies, Swansea Crown Court heard on Wednesday (Dec 23), were considered to be a delicacy by Africans living in London.
Thomas, now of Nant y Croi, Ferwig, near Cardigan, blowtorched the carcases and turned £25 ewes into smokies worth between £80 and £150 each.
Huw Rees, prosecuting, said Thomas had not produced any accounts—not even a single bank account—and “may be hiding his money elsewhere.”
But it was known he had bought sheep that were either old or of poor quality at livestock markets in Dolgellau and Welshpool and may have dealt in up to 2,300 sheep.
He was operating, said Mr Rees, on behalf of Julian Jones, who was wanted for prosecution but who had fled to Columbia in south America.
Judge Paul Thomas said he would found it “unusual and surprising if the markets were not aware of local gossip” about who was involved in the smokies trade.
“If they think they can hide behind a lack of co-operation I hope at some point someone will disabuse them of that notion.
“Those responsible for these markets are skirting with complicity in these offences,” he added.
Mr Rees said the offending took place at Trecagal farm at Bangor Teifi, near Llandysul. The farm was owned by Julian Jones but run by Thomas.
Jones, said Mr Rees, had a long history with smokies and was currently banned from having anything to do with animals.
To get around the ban Jones had needed others to help him.
Environmental health officers who raided the farm found sawn off sheep legs scattered around, even into woods and rivers.
Thomas, said Mr Rees, had supplied Jones with the smokies.
Questioned about the scale of the operation, Thomas had produced either no accounts or only “fanciful” accounts which made it impossible to be sure as to how much profit had been made.
Judge Thomas said he would impose a financial penalty—and respond to a prosecution request for £32,000 in costs—on January 29 by when he expected to see four years of bank accounts. If Thomas did not produce them “I will drew the necessary inferences.”
Mr Rees said Jones had made the most profit, but he was outside the jurisdiction of the court.
Mr Rees said the supply of smokies caused harm to the environment, risked the food poisoning of anyone who ate them, and tarnished the image of honest farmers.
Thomas had been convicted twice before of contravening environmental laws—once for running a private, unlicensed slaughter house and once for burning cars to recover scrap metal.
Huw Rees Davies, representing Thomas, who admitted conspiring with Jones to contravene the 1990 Food Safety Act, said those who ate smokies were not vulnerable and knew what they were eating.
Thomas, he said, had rented Trecagal from Jones and had fallen behind with the rent. To catch up he had agreed to buy sheep for Jones.
Judge Thomas said he had known that he was dealing in smokies, which posed a health hazard and were “wholly unsuitable for human beings.”
He said he accepted that Jones had been the prime mover, but he could not have done it without the connivance of Thomas.
Judge Thomas said he had a history of ignoring laws when it interfered with him making a “fast buck.”
But he would give him “one final chance to stay out of custody.”
Thomas was jailed for 28 weeks, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.
Judge Thomas said he would deal with the financial consequences of his offending on January 29.
Crime
North Court drug dealer who offered NHS and OAP discounts jailed
A DRUG dealer who styled himself as a “professional businessman” and offered so-called discounts to NHS workers and the elderly has been sentenced to a total of three years and four months in prison.
Nathan Murdoch, previously of North Court, Haverfordwest was given his custodial sentence at Swansea Crown Court after police dismantled his drug distribution network, which involved cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA.
Police uncover drugs and cash in raid
On June 16 last year, officers visited Murdoch’s property, where he initially admitted to possessing “a small amount” of cannabis. However, a detailed search revealed over £3,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine, £2,800 in cash, and digital weighing scales, according to prosecutor Sian Cutter.
Analysis of Murdoch’s mobile phone exposed text messages detailing his drug dealing, which had been ongoing since at least October 2021. The messages suggested he had also enlisted someone else to distribute drugs, with records of threats and demands for payment.
Targeting NHS workers with deals
The court heard that 35-year-old Murdoch referred to himself as a “businessman” and ran his operation with a veneer of professionalism. He promoted discounts for NHS workers, pensioners, and individuals facing financial hardship.
Defence barrister Dan Griffiths argued that Murdoch had turned to drug dealing after experiencing personal difficulties, describing the venture as “financially motivated.” Griffiths added: “He acknowledges the seriousness of his actions and views his arrest as a turning point.”
Judge: ‘Your choices have consequences’
Judge Paul Thomas KC told Murdoch: “You made a calculated decision to profit from illegal drug sales. You saw it as easy money, but the reality is clear: you gambled, and you lost. Now, you must face the consequences.”
Murdoch, now residing in Swansea, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, as well as being involved in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. The court heard he had five prior convictions for six offences.
Community
Thousands still without power as storm recovery continues
THOUSANDS of homes across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire remain without power as recovery efforts following Storm Darragh face significant challenges. Tree-cutting specialists are working around the clock in some of the toughest conditions seen in decades to clear fallen trees from power lines.
Speaking exclusively to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Jeff Birch, director of Birch Utility Services, detailed the scale of the task his team faces.
“This is one of the most challenging periods we’ve seen in years,” he said. “I can understand people’s frustration as we rely so heavily on electricity, but the devastation is immense. I’ve been in this job for 40 years, and the last time I experienced anything like this was during the hurricane of October 1987.”
Birch Utility Services, established 16 years ago in Pembrokeshire, has grown to become the UK’s largest utilitarian tree-cutting company, with over 300 employees. Their work supports National Grid by clearing trees from power lines, a task made harder by widespread road blockages.
“A lot of the equipment is on the ground, and many power lines are at the end of long private lanes,” explained Birch. “In some cases, we spend an entire day clearing debris before we can even start on the trees. It’s not just about reconnecting wires — the work requires isolation, shutting off power, earthing, and permits. This all takes time, and we’re dealing with thousands of incidents across a vast area.”
Non-stop recovery efforts
Birch’s team has been working 24/7 since the storm hit on Friday night, bringing in additional teams from the Midlands to assist.
“Our staff are rotating shifts to maintain round-the-clock operations,” Birch added. “Their dedication is remarkable. They’re motivated by the knowledge that people out there have no power, no heating, and may be feeling scared. We’re doing everything we can to restore power as quickly as possible.”
National Grid response
National Grid confirmed that 26,959 customers across South Wales are still without power, with teams working tirelessly to restore supplies.
“Our engineers, control rooms, contact centre, and support teams have been working around the clock to maintain power,” said Emma Philpin, National Grid’s director of Customer Excellence.
“We’ve seen extremely high call volumes, and it’s taking longer for customers to get through. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Rest assured, we are doing everything possible to restore power across the region as quickly as we can.”
Storm Darragh’s aftermath has left communities grappling with widespread disruption, but recovery teams remain committed to restoring essential services under challenging circumstances.
News
Carmarthenshire issues Storm Darragh update
THE AFTERMATH of Storm Darragh continues to disrupt life across Carmarthenshire, with many residents still without power and essential services despite the storm having passed.
Since Friday evening, Carmarthenshire County Council staff, alongside local communities, have been working tirelessly to address the extensive damage caused. Efforts to clear approximately 300 fallen trees have seen significant progress, with most A and B roads now reopened. However, work on minor and unclassified roads is expected to take several more days.
Support centres open late
To assist those affected, Carmarthenshire’s leisure centres in Amman Valley, Carmarthen, Llandovery, Llanelli, Newcastle Emlyn, and St Clears are open as drop-in centres until 10:30pm tonight.
Services available include:
- Warm spaces and hot drinks
- Charging points for electronic devices
- Hot water for filling flasks
- Shower facilities
Community effort praised
Council home care staff have been commended for going beyond their usual duties to support vulnerable residents. However, the Council has reported an unprecedented number of property-related issues following the storm. Residents are encouraged to report non-urgent repairs online and to contact the emergency line at 01267 234567 for urgent concerns.
Cllr Darren Price, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, praised the dedication of staff and residents:
“I am humbled by the efforts of our staff who have gone above and beyond to deliver essential services during this challenging weekend of Red, Amber, and Yellow Weather Warnings. On behalf of the County Council, I want to thank them for their incredible work. You are a credit to Carmarthenshire, and we are deeply proud and grateful. Diolch o waelod calon.”
Stay updated
Residents are urged to follow the Council’s website and social media channels for the latest updates on recovery efforts and available support.
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