A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted a cocaine offence, but prosecutors are disputing the basis of his plea.

Callum Chadwick, 26, of Barn Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Monday (June 1).

The court heard Chadwick admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between June 27, 2024 and May 9, 2026. Prosecutors also referred to “substantial unexplained credits” moving in and out of his bank account.

Chadwick pleaded guilty, but the Crown has not accepted the basis of his plea.

He claimed the cocaine was intended solely to feed his own drug habit. However, prosecutors argued the evidence suggested an intention to supply the drug.

During the hearing, the judge said Chadwick “essentially has good character” and granted his legal representatives 14 days to identify and serve relevant material.

Once that material has been reviewed, Chadwick will have the opportunity to decide whether he wishes to change the basis of his plea.

A further court date has yet to be fixed.

RSPCA appeals for information as cats and wildlife targeted in Hakin area

A CAT has died after being shot twice with an air gun in Milford Haven, prompting a fresh appeal from RSPCA Cymru.

The animal welfare charity said concern is growing after a number of cats and a pigeon were shot in the Hakin area in recent weeks.

The latest case involves a cat which was taken to All Pets Vet Care on May 11 after being shot in the left hind leg. A pellet was found embedded in the bone and vets planned to remove it after treating the cat with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

But the same cat was brought back to the practice in a collapsed state on Tuesday (May 26), unable to use either of its hind legs.

Further X-rays showed a second pellet in the right thigh, which had caused a serious femoral fracture. A healing fracture was also visible in the left tibia. Sadly, the cat died overnight.

‘Really upsetting’

Dr Cethin Ravenhill, from All Pets Vet Care said: “This has been really upsetting to deal with and I am shocked that anyone would shoot an animal with an air gun, as the shot is very unlikely to kill the animal, but just maim and seriously wound them, leading to a slow and painful death and significant suffering.

“For this cat to have been shot twice is very upsetting. Also, sometime between May 11 and last night, a fracture of his tibia was sustained on the left hind leg, which showed evidence of healing on the X-ray.

“This means this fracture is at least twelve or so days old. The two pellets were visible from the latest X-rays along with a severe, fresh femoral fracture of the right hind leg.

“He was signed over to the practice and received emergency supportive care overnight including antibiotics, but unfortunately passed away in the early hours of the morning, most likely due to sepsis from the femoral fracture caused by the pellet.”

Previous attacks

The latest incident follows an appeal last month after a pigeon was found injured on Charles Street by a passer-by.

The bird was examined at All Pets Vet Care after the incident on April 21, and a pellet was found to have shattered through its wing bones. The pigeon was later put to sleep.

In March, the RSPCA also appealed for information after several cats were shot with an air gun in the area. At least one cat died and three others were injured.

RSPCA Cymru fears other cats and wildlife may also have been targeted and is urging the local community to help by reporting any information.

Inspector Keith Hogben, who is investigating the incidents, said: “The report of another cat being shot — and for a second time — is extremely concerning.

“It is heartbreaking to lose a pet, but it is devastating to find out that an air gun pellet had been the cause.

“There is a growing concern that cats and wildlife are being deliberately targeted and killed in this way — there is no excuse to harm a defenceless animal.”

Police informed

Dyfed-Powys Police have been informed.

Anyone deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine if convicted under the Animal Welfare Act.

Deliberately injuring or killing wild birds is also a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Inspector Hogben added: “Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01751732.

“We would also ask parents and carers to speak to and educate young people about this.”

The RSPCA says it receives almost 1,000 calls every year about air gun attacks, with cats and wildlife among the most vulnerable animals because they are often outside with no one to protect them.

Inspector Hogben said: “We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect, and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past.

“We continue to call for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop, could help relieve the problem.”

Anyone who witnesses animal cruelty or finds an injured animal can report it through the RSPCA website.

A MILFORD HAVEN man who supplied illegal Premier League streams and loaded Firesticks to almost 2,000 customers has been jailed for more than three years.

Michael David Barrow, 48, of Priory Road, Milford Haven, operated the illegal IPTV service “MB Streams” over a five-year period.

He was sentenced to three years and two months at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Jun 1), after previously admitting three Fraud Act offences.

The court heard that Barrow sold access to Premier League matches and other subscription content through his own-branded service, third-party apps and adapted Amazon Fire TV sticks.

The Premier League said he generated more than £200,000 through the operation. Earlier proceedings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the potential loss to broadcasters, including Amazon Prime, BT Sport and Sky, was estimated at around £6m.

Large customer base

At the magistrates’ court stage, prosecutor Ari Alibhai KC, appearing on behalf of the FA Premier League, said the offending took place between October 2019 and February 2024.

He said Barrow’s customer base was not limited to Pembrokeshire but extended across the UK.

The court was told he had around 1,800 users and was paid in cash as well as through PayPal.

Barrow initially promoted the service through Facebook posts. But after receiving a cease-and-desist notice at his home address in 2021, he changed the way he operated in an attempt to avoid detection.

He moved to a referral-only model, restricted sales to people he knew, and encouraged customers to visit his home to pay in cash.

Where online payments were made, customers were instructed to disguise transactions as purchases of retro football kits.

Warning ignored

The judge at Swansea Crown Court described the operation as a large-scale, highly sophisticated and prolonged commercial fraud.

The court said Barrow’s failure to comply with the cease-and-desist notice was a significant aggravating factor.

At the earlier magistrates’ court hearing, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction because of the seriousness of the offences and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

‘Severe consequences’

The prosecution was brought by the Premier League and supported by FACT and Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Economic Crime Team in southern Wales.

Premier League Director of Legal – Enforcement, Stefan Sergot said: “This sentence once again highlights the severe consequences for individuals involved in supplying illegal streaming services.

“The decision to ignore clear warnings only compounded the seriousness of the offending, and this is reflected in the sentence handed down today.

“Illegal streaming is often linked to wider criminal activity and can expose fans to serious risks, including fraud, malware and identity theft.”

Kieron Sharp, Chairman of FACT, said Barrow had been given a clear warning to stop but chose to continue.

He said: “Illegal streaming is not a victimless crime. It damages the creative industries, undermines legitimate broadcasters, sports rights holders and service providers, and exposes users to serious risks, including fraud, malware and criminal exploitation.”

Emma Brown, Regional Fraud Development Officer for Tarian, said: “It is disappointing that Michael continued to offend despite being issued with a cease and desist notice in 2021.

“He was clearly warned that his activities were illegal and that continuing with them could lead to serious consequences.”

The Premier League said it would continue working with FACT and law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute illegal operators.