News

Rochdale car dealer fined for duping Pembrokeshire buyer

Published

6 years ago

November 18, 2019

A USED car dealership based in Rochdale, Lancashire, has been convicted of offences relating to the sale of a falsely described vehicle to a Pembrokeshire buyer.

Fines and prosecution costs totalling £4,600 were awarded against The Car Corner Limited by Haverfordwest Magistrates on Thursday (14th November).

The case was prosecuted by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards team – part of the authorities’ Public Protection service – and was instigated by a consumer complaint from Graham Fisher of Camrose.

The court heard that Mr Fisher had purchased a second-hand Ford Maverick from the Rochdale garage in August 2018 after seeing it advertised online.

He phoned Car Corner to check whether the car was still for sale and specifically asked whether there was any corrosion on the car – particularly on the rear wheel arches and the sills.

He was told on the phone that “there was a little bit on one side and none on the other”.

The sales description listed the car as in “excellent condition”. Based on these descriptions; Mr Fisher purchased the car and arranged delivery.

Upon delivery of the car to Pembrokeshire by the dealer, Mr Fisher found that the car was considerably corroded on both rear wheel arches and on both sills. He attempted to reject the car and refused delivery. However, the car was left outside the delivery address without his consent and the trader refused to provide a full refund.

An independent report commissioned by Mr Fisher confirmed that the car was excessively corroded on the wheel arches and inner sills. He stated that had he been made aware of the corrosion he would not have purchased the car.

He later complained to Pembrokeshire Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline.

Although the dealership denied the charges, it was found guilty of two offences contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The company was found not guilty in respect of two additional charges relating to the car’s safety.

Car Corner was fined a total of £2,000 and ordered to pay £2,500 in prosecution costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. A victim surcharge of £100 was also awarded.

The buyer had already received a partial refund prior to the trial via a claim in the Small Claims Court.

After the case, Lead Trading Standards Officer, Andy Layton, said: “The penalty handed out by the court sends a clear message to motor dealers that they must trade fairly and ensure that all cars that they offer for sale are safe and correctly described.

“Trading Standards Officers continue to conduct unannounced checks at second-hand car dealers across Pembrokeshire. This case shows that the Trading Standards service will also seek take action against motor traders based outside the county who sell misdescribed or unsafe vehicles to Pembrokeshire residents.”

Crime

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

Published

18 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

19 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

20 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.