News

Milford Haven: My son is always at the doctor because of our mouldy council flat

Published

7 years ago

April 24, 2019

A MILFORD HAVEN mother has contacted The Herald to explain that she has been forced to seek medical attention for her two-year-old soon eight times due to the damp in her home.

Stacey Spillane, who says she was hospitalised twice due to the poor conditions, lives in a ground floor flat in Howarth Close with
Alfie, who will be three in July – but the fact that her living space sits below ground level has left her walls sopping wet and get repeatedly covered in black mould.

Alfie has been suffering with chest and respiratory problems since the family moved into the council accommodation in March last year, The Herald has been told.

Unhealthy conditions: Alfie, 2, lost his toys due to infestation of black mould

Stacy told this newspaper: “Within six months damp started to creep into the house. It started in the kid’s bedroom, so I swapped rooms with Alfie. I have been constantly been reporting this to the council and months after first contacting them someone finally came out in February this year.

“The inspector told me that getting the damp sorted would be a long process and that I’d be better off putting in for a move. I then questioned if I would be prioritised. The inspector told me that if I provided medical documents regarding Alfie, then I would be. However, after paying £30 for the doctor’s note this did not happen – I was listed as low priority, or ‘bronze’ on the council’s waiting list.
“I feel like I am not getting anywhere – they [the council] are not making my son’s health a priority – nobody should have to live like this”

“One day I had to throw Alfie’s toy box and toys away because everything was covered in mould – I just sat on the bed and cried.”

The family is now waiting for a surveyor to look at the property, to see the cause of the damp, and to see what can be done to repair it.

The problem it would seem is obvious – the damp is coming through where the flat is below ground level. Rain water outside has nowhere to go but to leak into the flat.

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted the council. A spokesperson for PCC said: “A programme of work to address the problems at the property has been recommended and is due to be completed within the next 14 days.”

The spokesperson added: “We will continue to work with the tenant in order to resolve these issues.”

Crime

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

Published

15 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

15 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

16 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.