News

Three sentenced for illegal slaughtering at Bramble Hall Farm

Published

6 years ago

September 16, 2020

THREE men received suspended prison sentences at Swansea Crown Court on Monday 14th September 2020, for food related offences which arose from the illegal slaughtering of sheep at Bramble Hall Farm, Ferry Lane Pembroke Dock, on 21st January, 2019.

Sean Burns, John Clayton and Kenneth Darren Evans were discovered by Officers of the Public Protection Department of Pembrokeshire County Council, in the process of preparing sheep carcasses, which had just been slaughtered into ‘smokies’.

Smokies are an illegal product which is created by the singeing of the fleece off the carcass of a sheep, to leave the surface of the meat with a smoky colour and leaving the carcass with a distinct strong smoky smell, as a result of the burning process.

Smokies are products which are sold to specific ethnic communities which view them as a delicacy.

Apart from the filthy conditions in which these products were being processed, and the blatant disregard to any regulatory control over the slaughter of animals and processing them into food, smokies cannot be produced legally, as the skin is left on the carcass of the animal. This is not permissible for sheep meat in the EU.

Sean Burns of Pembroke Dock, pleaded not guilty to five charges:
• operating a food establishment without the required approval
• operating a slaughterhouse that failed to meet specific legal requirements relating to hygiene
• failing to ensure food premises were clean and maintained in good repair
• possessing unsafe food for the purpose of sale
• failing to collect animal by-products in accordance with legal requirements

Burns was found guilty on all five counts.

For each count, Burns was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years, to run concurrently.

He was also made subject to a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for five days, and required to pay a victim supplement of £140 within 28 days.

Clayton, of Carmarthen, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing unsafe food for the purpose of sale and failing to collect animal by-products in accordance with legal requirements.
He denied three charges of operating a food establishment without the required approval, operating a slaughterhouse that failed to meet specific legal requirements relating to hygiene and failing to ensure food premises were clean and maintained in good repair.
Clayton was found guilty on all counts.

To the charges Clayton had denied he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

For the charges to which he pleaded guilty, he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, to run concurrently.

Clayton was also made subject to a Curfew for three months between the hours 8pm-8am, required to wear a security tag, made subject to a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for five days, and required to pay a victim supplement of £140 within 28 days.

Kenneth Darren Evans, also of Carmarthen, admitted two charges of possessing unsafe food for the purpose of sale and failing to collect animal by products in accordance with legal requirements.

Evans was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, required to undertake 150 hours unpaid work and required to pay a victim supplement of £140 within 28 days.

It should be noted that there is currently Court of Appeal guidance in place which recommends that suspended sentences should be considered in appropriate cases, due to the prevalence/risk of Covid-19 in prisons.

It is recognised that this may have led to more leniency being shown by the Court in this case.

No prosecution costs were awarded to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Speaking after the sentencing, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Public Protection and Welsh Language, Cris Tomos, said the Authority was “extremely pleased” with the verdicts.

Cllr Tomos added: “While it was disappointing that costs had not been awarded in this protracted and lengthy investigation, it was important that these illegal activities are highlighted to illustrate the fact that such offenders have absolute disregard for the health of any potential purchasers, for any of the rules relating to the safety of food or the wellbeing of the animals which they slaughter.”

Cllr Beynon said: “Personally, I’m disappointed the court has awarded suspended sentences. It isn’t fair, I think all three men should be behind bars. That being said, I want to thank Pembrokeshire County Council officers who I know did their best in bringing this forward.
The good news to come from this is there is a ban on him keeping or being involved in the keeping of animals.”

Entertainment

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

9 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.

News

Rhun ap Iorwerth urges new deal for Wales after Starmer quits

Published

16 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister says next Prime Minister must focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for Wales’ democratic mandate

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth has said the next UK Prime Minister must commit to a “new relationship with Wales” as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to leave office.

The Plaid Cymru leader said he wished Sir Keir well, but warned that political instability in Westminster was affecting the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with Number 10 on issues that matter to people in Wales.

***First Minister: Rhun ap Iorwerth says Wales needs greater powers, fair funding and respect from Westminster***

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in Downing Street until Labour selects a successor.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: “I am disappointed that the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with the UK Prime Minister on issues which matter to the people of Wales is being hampered by the turmoil in Westminster.

“I wish Sir Keir Starmer well as he prepares to leave office. I would like to see his successor recognising that Wales needs a new relationship with Westminster, with a focus on greater powers, fair funding, and respect for the democratic mandate delivered by the people of Wales.

“My government and I will always seek a constructive relationship with whoever is in Number 10, but we have clear expectations that the respect agenda must work both ways.”

In a shorter statement posted online, the First Minister added: “The next PM must commit to a new relationship with Wales — with a focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for our mandate.”

Labour’s National Executive Committee is expected to open nominations for the party leadership on July 9, with the process due to be completed before Parliament returns from its summer break in September if a contest is required.

Andy Burnham is widely expected to enter the race after returning to Parliament following his victory in the Makerfield by-election.

The change of leadership comes at a sensitive time for Wales, with questions over fair funding, the future of devolution, public services and the relationship between Cardiff Bay and Westminster likely to feature prominently in the weeks ahead.

News

Welsh Conservatives say Starmer resignation will not fix Labour’s failures

Published

37 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Darren Millar says Wales needs “tough decisions” as Labour prepares to choose a new Prime Minister

THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation will not change the impact of Labour’s failures on Wales.

Darren Millar MS said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing families and businesses across the country.

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in office until Labour selects a successor, with Andy Burnham widely expected to enter the race.

***Darren Millar MS: Said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing the country***

The Welsh Conservatives said Wales was still facing the consequences of Labour decisions on the cost of living, energy, welfare and defence spending.

They said the focus should now be on “getting Britain working again” rather than simply changing the person leading the Labour Party.

Mr Millar said: “Sir Keir Starmer may be going, but Labour’s failures remain.

“The last thing Wales and the rest of the UK needs is another Labour leader who won’t stand up to Labour MPs on welfare, energy, defence spending and action on the cost of living.

“His decision is a reminder that Kemi Badenoch is the only leader of a political party in the UK with the backbone to make tough decisions and get Britain working again.”

The resignation has triggered a major political transition at Westminster.

For Wales, the change at No 10 comes at a time of growing political pressure over public services, household costs, economic growth and the future direction of the UK Government.

Welsh Labour figures are likely to face renewed scrutiny as opposition parties seek to link the party’s record in Westminster with its long period in power in Cardiff Bay.

The Conservatives are expected to argue that a change of Labour leader will not mean a change of policy unless the party changes direction.

Starmer said in his resignation speech that becoming Prime Minister had been the “proudest moment” of his life, but accepted that his party no longer believed he was best placed to lead it into the next general election.