News

Haverfordwest: Vigil pays tribute to victims of Manchester attack

Published

9 years ago

May 25, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Local politicians: Mayors and councillors gathered to pay tributes

HUNDREDS gathered for a candle lit vigil at Haverfordwest War Memorial last night (May 24) to pay their respects to the victims of the Manchester attack on Monday (May 22).

Members of the public were joined by politicians and representatives of local emergency services to express their solidarity with all those who were caught up in the tragic events in Manchester.

The vigil, organised by the Mayor of Haverfordwest, Cllr Alan Buckfield, saw people from every corner of Pembrokeshire observe two one–minute silences.

Rev Father Nick Cale gave prayer, before the Mayor addressed the crowd, emphasising how ‘all violent deaths are tragic; but the death of a child is even more so’.

The Manchester attack claimed the lives of 22 people, many of whom were children.

The Mayor added: “The joys of childhood, the hopes and dreams and aspirations for a long and fulfilled life extinguished by a moment of cruel, obscene violence.

“Our hearts bleed for those families trying to come to terms with and understand their loss.”

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He went on to pay tribute to the men and women of the emergency services who show extraordinary professionalism and competence ‘in the most trying of circumstances’, and the members of the public ‘who found it in their hearts to help others in their time of need’.

Following the vigil, The Herald spoke with Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb. Reflecting on the event, he said: “Events like tonight’s vigil in Haverfordwest are so important, because they provide a way for the community to come together, express its grief and frustration, but also express unity and empathy with those families who are suffering.

“It’s tremendous to see the support from right across Pembrokeshire here in Haverfordwest this evening, a genuine county–wide event, and it was good to see our emergency services very well represented, because the stories of heroism and bravery that are coming out of Manchester in the last couple of days has just been truly astonishing.”

Asked what local communities ought to do in the wake of the attack, Mr Crabb said: “It’s important for everyone to be vigilant; we might not think that we have potential targets in places like West Wales and Pembrokeshire, but the truth is that the kind of enemy we are facing will strike indiscriminately, men, women, children, regardless of location, and I think it’s important that we shouldn’t have our lives unduly interrupted, but we do need to be vigilant and be on guard.”

Labour candidate for Preseli Pembrokeshire Philippa Thompson meanwhile described the vigil as a ‘sombre gathering with prayer and quiet reflection’ to remember those who lost their lives in Monday night’s ‘senseless attack’.

She added: “I think the bright evening as we lit our candles was a sign to us all that we defeat terror by showing we are defiant in the face of evil and we carry on.”

Labour candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Marc Tierney added that the vigil gave people a chance to show how ‘they are empathising with their friends and others’ from across the UK.

He said: “I think it’s important that local people have an opportunity to come out and show their respects like this. Events often happen in big cities like Cardiff and Swansea, but there’s not always an opportunity to do the same in Pembrokeshire.

“I was really pleased with the turnout, but hopefully we won’t have to do it again anytime soon.

“I think the real issue now is that the public remain vigilant, and report anything suspicious – just as Dyfed–Powys Police want them to do.”

Crime

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

Published

11 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

11 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

12 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.