News

Leader denies piling on the pressure

Published

10 years ago

January 5, 2016

THE COUNCIL’s leader Jamie Adams has denied putting pressure on Cllr Alison Lee to join the Council’s ruling group. Cllr Jacob Williams asked: “In response to my question at last year’s (2014) October full Council meeting the Leader said he was happy for former Labour Councillor Alison Lee to serve in his Cabinet as an unaffiliated Member, that he was committed to maintaining cross-party relations, and placed “on record” that he would put “no pressure” on Cllr. Lee to join his ruling group, the IPPG.

“Despite previously telling the media she wouldn’t, Cllr. Lee recently joined the leader’s IPPG days after Cllr. Pearl Llewellyn’s resignation cost the group its majority. “Does the Leader remain indifferent to his Cabinet Members’ political affiliations like he put on record last year, or did the disastrous consequences of losing his group’s majority cause him to have a rethink?” The question was put to the leader at Thursday’s, December 10, meeting of full Council. Following Cllr Pearly Llewellyn’s resignation from the IPPG, the ruling group had lost its majority within the council. Cllr Lee joined the group days later despite earlier comments that she would not. At the meeting, it was also revealed that Cllr Owen James (Scleddau) had also joined the IPPG.

Council Leader Jamie Adams said: “Councillor Lee’s membership of the Independent Plus Group is a matter for her, my position remains unchanged.” Cllr Jacob Williams responded: “The announcement of Cllr Lee’s promotion to the Cabinet was sent out in a press release on October 13 but in there it says Cllr Adams says he ‘looks forward to working constructively with a member of the opposition in Cabinet’, he went on “As a labour councillor, Alison has shown great commitment to her council ward and her constituents, she also recognises that to operate effectively in Cabinet one must put political considerations to one side and consider the wider picture and the greater benefit of the people of Pembrokeshire.

“I hope that council members and the public will recognise the appointment as a sign of my determination to ensure that a cross section of voices and opinions are heard in Cabinet. “Following that the Pembrokeshire Herald interviewed Cllr Lee in its October 24 edition, Cllr Lee is quoted ‘I will not be joining the Independent Group, Jamie Adams made it very clear that it was not a problem and I will be sitting in the Cabinet as an unaffiliated member of the council’.

“So we couldn’t wish for clearer evidence that the leader, at one point in time, had no problem with having an unaffiliated member on the Cabinet so something’s changed there. “Could the Leader look into the camera lens and promise, in all honesty, that after Cllr Llewellyn resigned from the IPPG, removing its majority, he made no attempt, either himself or through anybody else, to persuade Cllr Lee to join his ruling group or to explain that her position in the Cabinet would be in jeopardy if she remained an unaffiliated member. “Will the Leader look into the camera lens and make the solemn pledge he didn’t do that?” The leader responded: “My position on the political affiliation of any member of my Cabinet has not changed, I reiterate that response.”

Crime

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

Published

12 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

12 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

13 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.