News

Councillor queries MPs RSPCA call

Published

10 years ago

November 16, 2016

small-insp-and-kitten A MOVE to strip the RSPCA of its powers to routinely prosecute animal welfare cases has been questioned by a Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member.

The House of Commons environment committee this week called for a change in the law concerning the charity’s powers.

They recommended that the RSPCA should continue its work investigating animal welfare cases, but “withdraw from acting as a prosecutor of first resort” and let the Crown Prosecution Service or other statutory bodies carry out this role.

But Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, said he supported the continuation of the RSPCA prosecuting where appropriate and proportionate.

Councillor George said: “Pembrokeshire County Council, as a statutory body for animal health and welfare, works very closely with the RSPCA regarding dogs, animal breeding and border controls and has just won two Animal Footprint awards for its work.

“In these times of continuing financial austerity in the public sector, it makes sense for the RSPCA to continue prosecuting and for us to continue to work in collaboration and partnership.

“I welcome the recommendation in the recent RSPCA report commissioned by the Welsh Government entitled ‘Responsible Dog Ownership’ calling for an annual dog registration fee to support the compulsory micro-chipping legislation.

“These fees would assist all councils and charities in Wales, such as the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust, to carry out their duties.

“Unfortunately over the last few years the numbers of dog wardens and staff involved in such work, such as dog control and fouling issues, has been reduced.”

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.