News

Crowds praised for Ironman support

Published

13 years ago

September 13, 2013

THE 2013 Ironman has been described as a wonderful day by the County Council’s cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, Elwyn Morse.
Councillor Morse was full of praise for the event and said: “The only problem now is we have to wait 12 months for the next one.”
This was the third straight year that Pembrokeshire has hosted the event and although the weather wasn’t great, crowds lined the course to cheer on the athletes.
He went on: “The people of Pembrokeshire have taken Ironman Wales to their heart. They turned out in their legions to support the wonderful competitors.”
The men’s event was won by Scotsman; Scott Neyedli who completed the gruelling course in a time of nine hours, nine minutes and ten seconds completing a 2.5 mile swim, a 112-mile cycle and a full marathon.
The first lady to cross the finish line at Tenby’s Esplanade was Lucy Gossage, who beat last year’s winner Regula Rohrbach of Switzerland by 25 minutes.
This win is Lucy’s second in Ironman competitions after the Brit also won the Ironman UK event in August. The winning lady was gushing in her praise for the spectators. She described it as amazing. She said that she had never seen such wonderful support for an Ironman event before.
Although the event was staged in Tenby, the course was spread across Pembrokeshire and athletes had to navigate their way through Narberth, Saundersfoot and Pembroke.
The athletes set off from the shore at Tenby before making their way through the town to collect their bikes at the Rectory car park.
The ride took them through south Pembrokeshire, including an exhausting climb up Saundersfoot’s St Brides Hill.
Those who managed to survive the opening two stages then had to pick themselves up for four laps around Tenby for the 26-mile run.
Just as the athletes entered the water the rain poured down, it stopped for a brief moment only to start again during the bike race.
Heavy overnight rain made the town’s roads wet and slippery making conditions tough for the cycling leg of the race.
It is one of the toughest events to win and tests the endurance of those involved. Athletes will push themselves to the edge just to get over the finish line.
A 1675 strong field took part in the event, over 40 countries were represented and there were even 90 athletes from Pembrokeshire.
Those who finished the course can take great pride in their efforts having swum, cycled and run for most of the day.
It is estimated that the total spend for Ironman Wales in Pembrokeshire is just over £4 million.
Shops and businesses were booming as crowds flocked from all over the world to cheer on the athletes.
Councillor Morse added: “One hotelier I spoke to was taking bookings three months ahead of the event by competitors coming to train on the course and he could have sold out his establishment three times over during the actual weekend.”
For some, training will have already started for next year and the crowds will once again be looking forward to the event.
With the benefits that Ironman 2013 has brought to the county, it is likely that we will see the event return to Pembrokeshire in 2014.

Crime

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

Published

16 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

17 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

18 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.