News

Operation Phobos: More drug dealers sentenced at Swansea Crown Court

Published

9 years ago

September 27, 2016

Top row, left to right: Allen Herron, Andrew Curphey, Bradley Carroll and Dane Bush. Bottom row, left to right: Donna Kellaway, Emma Roberts, Ian Edwards and Michael Sillitoe.

A JUDGE sentencing cocaine suppliers after the biggest drugs operations ever carried out by Dyfed Powys Police has today handed down prison terms totalling 47 years to go with the 36 years passed yesterday.

The hearings at Swansea Crown Court are still only half way through and will not conclude until Friday.

By then 20 people will have been sentenced after Dyfed Powys Police carried out Operation Phobos, which led to a second operation and then a third as detectives discovered the true extent of the drugs dealing.

A Liverpool gang ran £18.5m worth of cocaine into the south Wales valleys, £67,520 of cocaine into Milford Haven and £286,000 of cocaine and cannabis into Scotland

Today, Dane Bush, aged 29, said to be the head of a crime gang in Milford Haven, was jailed for 11 and a half years. Salter was jailed in June.

Andrew Jones, prosecuting, told the court how Bush “spun off” his own conspiracy to spread the cocaine into Pembrokeshire while the rest of the gang concentrated on Swansea and the south Wales valleys.

Judge Paul Thomas told Bush he had been aware of the misery and death that cocaine inflicted on users but had shown no remorse for supplying Salter to enable him to sell the drug around the county.

Michael Sillitoe, aged 29, of Glebe Road, Loughor, was jailed for 11 years, and Donna Kellaway, 36, of Prescelli Road, Penlan, Swansea, received seven years.

Two others at the Liverpool end of the conspiracy were also jailed—Allen Heron, 38, for 10 years and Bradley Carroll, 31, for seven and a half years.

All had admitted or been found guilty after trials of conspiring to supply cocaine between November, 2014, and November, 2015.

Judge Thomas told them they had gone into the scheme “with your eyes wide open” about the vast amounts of money that might be made but also the consequences of being caught.

“You gambled the money you might make against the time you might serve,” he added.

Judge Thomas said all the criminals were at a “far higher level” than just street dealers.

The first four defendants were yesterday jailed for a total of 36 years.

At least four police officers are expected to be commended on Friday for “very impressive, intelligent, carefully directed work.”

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

6 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Crime

Youth given conditional discharge after series of offences in Haverfordwest

Published

7 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A YOUTH has been given a conditional discharge after admitting a series of offences in Haverfordwest, including assault, shop theft and interfering with motor vehicles.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offences took place over a number of days in December 2025.

The court was told that on Saturday (Dec 6), the youth assaulted another child by beating them during an incident in the town. On the same date, they also stole two cans of Red Bull worth £5.40 from Tesco.

Further offences were committed on Tuesday (Dec 9), when the youth interfered with multiple vehicles at a vehicle repair workshop at Havens Head Business Park, Milford Haven. The offences involved attempts to interfere with vehicles with the intention of theft.

The youth appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where guilty pleas were entered to all matters.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge for each offence, taking into account the early guilty pleas.

The court also ordered the youth to pay £100 in compensation to the victim of the assault and £5.40 in compensation to Tesco. No order for costs was made due to the financial circumstances involved.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Local Government

New mayor-elect announced for Haverfordwest

Published

10 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed its new Mayor-Elect, with Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner set to take on the role later this year.

In a statement, he said he was “honoured” to accept the nomination, describing it as a moment that will stay with him forever.

He also highlighted the significance of the appointment, saying he is set to become the town’s first mayor of colour and the youngest in a century.

The councillor said the role represents more than a personal achievement, adding that it reflects “progress, representation, and the power of community.”

His official mayor-making ceremony is expected to take place in May.

The Mayor-Elect said: “Haverfordwest is the best in the West – and together, we are just getting started.”