News

Calls for new foster carers

Published

9 years ago

May 25, 2017

Unveiling the new banner at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre: (L-R) Jonathan Griffiths, Director of Social Services; Julie Ashley-Jones, Service Business & Marketing Development Officer for Leisure; Colin Driver; Sian Fair, Manager of Haverfordwest Leisure Centre; and Luke Chapman, Service Manager for Children in Care

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is continuing its drive to recruit more foster carers with a new awareness-raising campaign at local leisure centres.

New banners are being displayed encouraging visitors to leisure centres to consider whether they could become a foster carer.

Every year, more than 200 Pembrokeshire children of all ages need foster placements because, for a variety of reasons, they cannot live with their family and need a stable and secure home. For some children this is temporary or short term, but for others it is longer.

The council is keen to ensure that wherever possible, children are looked after close to their own homes and in family-based care in their communities.

“The Family Placement Team need more people who are willing to offer a home to siblings groups, so that they do not have to be separated from each other at an already difficult time,” said Colin Driver, Assistant Team Manager.

“We also need more people to foster children with disabilities and additional learning needs whose families need a short break to recharge their batteries; and teenagers who want support while they learn to live more independently.”

Colin added that foster carers come from all walks of life.

“Some have children of their own, and some have children who have left home,” he said.

“Childless couples, same sex couples and single people also become foster carers.

“If you have a spare bedroom, enough time to care for a child, patience, tolerance and a sense of humour and can be open and honest, you can become a foster carer.

“It’s about providing the everyday things that we take for granted – a warm bed, a hot meal, a bedtime story, praise and a listening ear. More than anything you need to be there and care.”

The new recruitment banners continue the collaboration between Social Services and Leisure departments who hold regular monthly coffee mornings for foster carers in leisure centres throughout the county, as well as a successful Easter Activity day for foster carers and children.

The coffee mornings offer an opportunity for anyone interested in fostering to meet members of the Family Placement Team and more importantly, existing foster carers to talk about the benefits and challenges, of fostering.

In addition to practical support and advice from the Family Placement Team, training and a weekly allowance, foster carers also receive a discounted Passport to Leisure membership to enable themselves and the children they look after to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.

Crime

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

Published

13 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

13 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

14 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.