News
Senior council officers meet online to review Tier 4 restrictions
SENIOR officers leading Pembrokeshire County Council’s response to the pandemic have met online this morning (Sunday, December 20th) to review the new lockdown restrictions and how they will affect the County.
It follows yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister that Wales would move into alert level four at midnight last night (Saturday December 19th).
“We want to assure everyone that the authority is working hard to ensure that we are keeping our communities safe,” said Cllr David Simpson, Council leader.
“We have processes in place and are working with other key agencies.
“These are unprecedented times, however, we can work through this to ensure we can get back to normal as soon as possible.
“Everyone has a role to play and today we are sending out the request that we all work together, safely, and adhere to the guidance.
“Mixing with others heightens the spread of this virus. Please stay at home, please stay safe.”
The following Council services have been immediately affected by the Tier 4 restrictions:
· Leisure centres – closed until further notice
· Libraries – closed until further notice
· Waste and Recycling Centres – open for pre-booked slots for essential use at present. Officers are liaising with the Welsh Government on future arrangements.
Details of further changes will be announced as soon as possible.
The move into Tier 4 follows worrying evidence of a new highly-infectious strain of coronavirus in Wales and in London and South East England.
The latest information suggests the new strain is present throughout Wales and may be driving the rapid acceleration of the virus seen across Wales over the last few weeks.
Alert level four restrictions were due to come into force over the Christmas period but have been brought forward.
Changes are also being made to the Christmas rules in Wales – in common with changes being made elsewhere in the UK – two households will be able to join together but only on Christmas Day.
“We would urge everyone to adhere strictly to the new rules and exercise the utmost caution in their everyday lives in the interest of their safety and others,” said Cllr Simpson.
The First Minister’s statement is at https://gov.wales/first-minister-statement-19-december
Details of the restrictions under each Tier level can be found at https://gov.wales/covid-19-alert-levels
Crime
Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach
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
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
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.
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