News

Farmer loses appeal over suffering to ponies punishment

Published

7 years ago

November 10, 2017

A ST DAVIDS farmer has today (Nov 10) lost an appeal against his sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to five ponies.

Ian Morgan Griffiths, aged 54, had pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest magistrates’ court and had been made the subject of an 18 week jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Griffiths, who runs two farms at Berea as well as providing bunks style accommodation for 400 people plus camping and caravan sites, was also banned from keeping horses for five years.

During an appeal hearing at Swansea Crown Court barrister Craig Jones said Griffiths had staged a festival on his land and someone complained about the state of three Shetland ponies and two Welsh Mountain ponies.

The RSPCA were alerted and found that their hooves were seriously overgrown to the extent they could not walk properly if at all.

Mr Jones said the necessary treatment would have cost as little as £15 per pony and there were plenty of people available to carry out the work.

David Williams, representing Griffiths, argued the sentence was unjustly high.

One consequence, he said, was that Dyfed Powys police had withdrawn Griffiths’ shotgun licence because the sentence was over three months long. As a result he could no longer stage clay pigeon shooting events.

He said Griffiths’ wife had died in 2010 and he had found himself looking after three children as well as two farms and extensive accommodation.

Mr Williams said Griffiths was of the ninth generation to farm the land and this had been the first prosecution in the family’s history.

“He’s deeply upset at what has happened. As soon as the entent of the problem was made clear to him he handed the ponies over the RSPCA,” added Mr Williams.

He said Griffiths would be appealing against the withdrawal of his gun licence.

Judge Geraint Walters, sitting with two magistrates, dismissed the appeal.

He said the mitigation available to Griffiths had been reflected in the magistrates’ decision to suspend the prison sentence.

Griffiths, he added, had had the resources to pay for the animals to be looked after properly and it was no excuse that he had been too busy.

Judge Walters said the magistrates had made a mathematical error in that Griffiths had been entitled to a one third discount in return for his early guilty plea. As 26 weeks was the maximum sentence available 18 weeks represented more than two thirds.

Consequently, the 18 weeks suspended sentence was reduced to 16 weeks.

Crime

Mother admits to killing seven-year-old son in Haverfordwest

Published

13 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Luke Sinclair

A mother has admitted to the manslaughter of her seven-year-old son at their home in Haverfordwest, citing diminished responsibility.

Papaipit Linse, 43, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 22), where she denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her son, Louis Linse. Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC confirmed the manslaughter plea would be accepted, stating it “did not come as a surprise” to the prosecution.

The incident occurred on 10 January when police were called to a property on Upper Market Street. Louis was rushed to Withybush General Hospital but tragically died shortly afterwards.

During the hearing, Linse, who spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas, was informed that she would be sentenced on 13 December. Judge Paul Thomas KC described the case as “clearly a very sensitive as well as a very tragic case.”

The court was told that Linse is currently receiving treatment at the Caswell Clinic, a mental health facility in Bridgend. Psychiatric evidence is expected to be presented during the sentencing hearing to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Community

Council warns of icy conditions as temperatures drop

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ROAD users in Pembrokeshire are being urged to exercise caution tonight as temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing.

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that road surface temperatures could reach as low as -2°C, with the possibility of sleet or snow on higher ground. In response, precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will be carried out this evening and overnight.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Road users are advised to take care if travelling on untreated roads.”

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly in areas that may not have been treated.

Stay tuned to The Herald for updates on road conditions and weather warnings.

Community

Stallholders wanted for Milford Haven Christmas Market

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN BUSINESS CIRCLE is calling for stallholders to join the town’s festive Christmas Market, set to bring holiday cheer on Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7, 2024.

The market will take place at the Lower Charles Street Car Park, promising a vibrant mix of stalls and attractions. Organizers are seeking a variety of vendors, including those offering gifts, children’s toys and games, food, cakes, flowers, and more.

There’s also an open invitation for someone with small children’s rides to add to the festive fun. A highlight of the event will be the Grinch’s Grotto, offering an entertaining twist to this year’s celebrations.

If you’re interested in having a stall, contact the Milford Haven Business Circle via email at [email protected] for more information.