News

EXCLUSIVE: Bramble Hall Farm animal confiscation hearing deemed unlawful

Published

5 years ago

July 3, 2019

A COURT case in Haverfordwest to seize neglected animals from Bramble Hall Farm will have to be re-run. The High Court in Cardiff has ruled that the original hearing was unfair, and therefore unlawful.

At Cardiff Civil Justice Centre on Friday (Jun 28), Lord Justice Swift ruled that due process was not followed. The farmer, Mr Sean Burns, should have had more time to prepare for the case, he said.

His solicitor, Aled Owen, said that evidence was only served on his client just twenty minutes before the confiscation hearing.

On January 28 and 29, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Animal Health and Welfare Team obtained and executed court warrants at Bramble Hall Farm, Ferry Lane, Pembroke Dock.

The Council worked with the support of other agencies and animal charities.

An application was made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by Pembrokeshire County Council on to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 7.

At Court on March 7, Mr Owen told Magistrates that the lack of time given to prepare his client’s case was ‘against the principle of natural justice’.

In order to allow for proper preparation of the defence case, he requested a 7-day adjournment. The Court refused the request and the hearing went ahead.

In granting the appeal, the High Court made no observations as to Mr Burns’ guilt or innocence, nor did it make any criticism of the way the Council and Police acted. The case turned on whether or not Mr Burns had enough time to address the issues raised in the prosecution’s case.

The case will, therefore, have to be re-run.

The application for a civil order sought the following: For 20 horses and a donkey to be put in the care of the RSPCA, 50 dogs to the Dogs Trust, 80 sheep and three goats to the local authority to be sold. The court was told at the time that the pigs would have to be destroyed.

The destruction order was ‘due to the pigs all having access to animal by-products, presenting a risk to public health.’

Some weeks after the case, the pigs were given a reprieve after a home became available for them.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “We respect the court’s decision and the case in Cardiff High Court. The original hearing will now have to be re-run at the Magistrates’ Court.”

After Friday’s High Court hearing, Aled Owen told The Herald: “This is a matter which could have a serious impact on my clients reputations. A great deal was said locally which was not in fact correct. The Court held that because my clients are considered vulnerable that they didn’t have a chance to put their case fairly.

“The High court has agreed that they should be given that opportunity in order to redress the omissions in the way the matter was conducted.

“The court highlighted that there were lessons to be learned in the way that this case was conducted. This case has been heard in a blaze of publicity and under the scrutiny of social media.

“It is only right that vulnerable people, such as my clients, are given the opportunity to conduct their cases fairly and the opportunity to be properly heard.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.