News

Press gagging order granted in James Oulton case by Crown Court judge

Published

5 years ago

April 19, 2021

THE CROWN COURT judge presiding over the James Oulton trial has issued a reporting restriction to the press, which local media says is a “draconian” measure which will hamper the reporting of the child abuse case.

In total, 11 ex-pupils, who were under 13, have accused Oulton, 34, of sexually assaulting them.

He denies 30 charges at Swansea Crown Court, relating to his time at a primary school in Haverfordwest, between 2012 and 2018.

Her Honour Judge C Richards sitting at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 19) granted an application for a media gagging order made by Oulton’s defence barrister Christopher Clee QC.

The BBC and The Pembrokeshire Herald opposed the order in court, with the Herald saying it will try to overturn the order at the Court of Appeal.

Judge C Richards said that whilst the Pembrokeshire Herald “rightfully and properly reported on the case”, public comments, which have now been restricted, had “been of concern”.

The application was to restrict the reporting of the names of eight adult defence witnesses, or any matter likely to lead members of the public to identify who the witnesses are.

However, the ‘likely to lead’ phrase means, because of possible jigsaw identification of witnesses, likely none of the defence evidence in the case could be reported by the press without publishers running the risk of breaching the order.

Judge C Richards first read legal submissions from the legal team at the BBC.

Barrister for Herald News (UK) Ltd, Matthew Graham Paul, made submissions orally on behalf of this newspaper.

He told the court: “The imposing of reporting restrictions under S.46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 should be approached with caution.

“The order sought by my learned friend would not merely postpone the reporting of this case, it would, in effect, prohibit any significant reporting of the majority of the defence case altogether.

“The freedom of the press is an absolute fundamental part of court proceedings, and Article 10 rights, necessary in a democratic society.

“The court should exhaust every other remedy before making an order effectively harming the reporting of the case.”

Matthew Paul explained that whilst he understood that there were concerns over Facebook comments written by members of the public on news reports on the Pembrokeshire Herald’s Facebook page, this matter had been resolved by banning commenting all together – something which Facebook has started to allow on specific posts since April 1, 2021.

Matthew Paul explained to the court that Press restriction orders under Section (4)2 The Contempt of Court Act 1981 were rare, “and required a high level of evidence before they were granted”.

“This is not the case for orders made under S.46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999” he said, but argued that applications under both pieces of legislation “should be treated in the same way.”

He said: “The court has an enormous arsenal of sanctions to deploy against anyone violating the Contempt of Court Act”

Calling the application by the defence “draconian”, he added “the court has got several ways of putting witnesses at ease, aside from reporting restrictions.

“Prohibiting a free press on a trial which is of significant interest in my submission is wrong. It is improper for the court to make this s.46 order.”

The judge noted that there had been, in her opinion, an increase in reluctance for witnesses to give evidence since the case had attracted so much publicity.

Judge C Richards said: “I have not read them myself, but I was made aware of public comments on the Herald Facebook page, and that they had caused a bit of a stir in Pembrokeshire.

“It was not anything that I needed to concern the jury about, and I noted that the comment section was promptly restricted.”

When making her order, the judge said: “Continued reporting could mean the quality of evidence given by witnesses could be diminished.

“I am satisfied that a reporting direction is necessary under section 46 and am satisfied that this is in the interests of justice.”

It was also stressed that the reporting restriction does not only cover the press, but also covers members of the public, who could now be breaking the law if they name defence witnesses on social media platforms.

Testimony from the 11 child witnesses for the prosecution can still be reported, but the alleged victims cannot be named.

Crime

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

Published

10 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

10 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

11 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.