News

Llys Meddyg restaurant in Newport fined for falsely describing food

Published

5 years ago

December 22, 2020

LLYS MEDDYG restaurant in Newport has been fined a total of £2,100 for food safety offences, failing to display a food hygiene rating, and for falsely describing food.

Business operators Ed and Louise Sykes were fined £1,050 each.

Llys Meddyg had received a Food Hygiene Rating of ‘1’ following an inspection on 20th February 2019 by an Environmental Health Officer from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection Division.

But the court heard that on 4th September 2019, the officer visited the premises again, at the owners’ request, to carry out an inspection to ‘re-score’ the business and provide them with a new food hygiene rating.

On arrival, she saw that the current food hygiene rating sticker was hidden on an internal glass door behind a lantern. The company had already received verbal and written warnings, as well as a fine, for failing to display their score properly as required by law.

A subsequent inspection took place on September 30.

Although the standard of cleanliness was observed to be improved, there were still issues outstanding.

The business had a food safety management system in place designed to ensure that chilled food was cold enough and cooked thoroughly, and that cleaning was carried out, but there was inadequate evidence that staff were using it.

Flies were found crawling on equipment, surfaces and tables in all areas of the premises, attracted through an open door by a bin without a lid.

A vac packer had been used for packing both raw and cooked fish (separate vac packers should be used for raw and cooked foods) and a number of food safety controls described in writing had not been implemented.

Other aspects of the food preparation such as vac packing were not covered by the system at all, and access to the garden kitchen wash hand basin was blocked by a bin.

Bacon described as ‘local’ on the breakfast menu was labelled ‘Origin EEC’ and although it had been bought from a local butcher, it actually originated from outside Wales.

Food business operators Ed and Louise Sykes pleaded guilty to all offences, with the exception of falsely describing the bacon on the menu as ‘local’ and the case was heard by the District Judge Chris James at Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday 10th December. Despite the submission of some complex legal arguments by the defence solicitor, District Judge Chris James found both defendants guilty of that charge.

The District Judge accepted mitigation in that the business had taken steps to put things right, that they were of previous good character and commented that it was currently a difficult and unprecedented time for people working in the catering industry. He gave a third credit for the early guilty pleas. However, he said he had to have regard to the deterrent effect.

As well as the fine, costs of £5,000 were also awarded to the County Council.

After the case the Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Public Protection and Welsh Language, Cllr Cris Tomos, said: “This business was provided with several opportunities to rectify most of these matters, but they did not heed our advice or warnings and failed to attend interviews to which they were invited.

“It is hoped that in future they will take their obligations more seriously and act on any guidance or direction that they receive.”

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

7 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

7 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

7 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.