News

Pembrokeshire man facing trial over ‘racist’ online radio station

Published

5 years ago

August 18, 2021

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared in court in Haverfordwest charged with distributing sound recordings containing racial hatred, and which were threatening abusive or insulting.

Sven Longshanks, 48, (formerly known as James Barnaby Allchurch) of no fixed abode but formerly of Chapel House, Gelli is facing fifteen similar charges in all.

The case is being prosecuted by the CPS’s Counter Terrorism Unit in London, and because of this the normal bench of magistrates stepped aside and the case was presided upon by the Deputy Chief Magistrate of England and Wales, Mr Tanweer Ikram via a video link.

The defendant entered the dock wearing a white forensic suit, a white 3M face mask, covid face shield, dark glasses and thick black rubber gloves. He was carrying a bag of documents which was wrapped in protective material as well.

Mr Sven Longshanks (Previously James Allchurch) leaves court in Haverfordwest (Pic T Sinclair/Herald)

Before the case started he was moved from the dock to sit with his defence lawyer, Kevin Smallcombe, from Law24 Ltd in Tyne and Wear, so that they both could be seen on the video link at the same time by the judge and CPS lawyer.

At the start of the case the judge asked the defence lawyer if he was sure that the man sat beside him really was the man who had been sequestered to attend court.

“We cannot see this man’s face and we now have a different name in court than we have on the court list. We need to be sure that the person here is actually the correct person. Can you confirm that please Mr Smallcombe?”

The lawyer said: “Yes, we can confirm that this is the correct person and that he now wishes to be addressed by the name he now identifies as – Sven Longshanks.”

Longshanks agreed to pull down his face mask to show to the judge to the CPS what he looked like. When asked by Judge Ikram why he was wearing dark glasses, the defendant said that they were prescription glasses and that he “wouldn’t be able to see anything without them.”

James Cable for the CPS said “The charges relate to the ownership and hosting of an online radio station, a website with podcasts which were available to the public without the need for any paywall or passwords.

“The station was called Radio Aryan until November 2019, then it changed its name.”

Mr Cable continued: “12 of the charges relate to material allegedly offensive to people from black or ethnic minority communities.

“The remaining three relate to podcasts said to be anti-Semitic.

Longshanks openly admitted that he ran the station, which he called in court his “life’s work”.

Indeed, he told the judge the reason he changed his name from James Allchurch to Sven Longshanks was that it was his “life’s work that is on trial” and “that’s the name that my work is published under.”

Defence lawyer Kevin Smallcombe said the issues in the case would be “academic research, freedom of speech and journalism”.

The CPS agreed that the case did not need to be dealt with in London in the terroism list, but could be heard at a local Crown Court

Accordingly, the case to Swansea Crown Court on September 15 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Longshanks was granted unconditional bail until that date.

The defence lawyer, Mr Smallcombe’s past clients include: Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding of Britain First when they were convicted of inciting religious hatred; Alexander Deakin, imprisoned for being an organiser for the banned extreme right terrorist organisation National Action; and Oliver Bel, who this May was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for possession of a bomb-making manual.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

30 minutes 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.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

54 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

Education

Prendergast School achieves gold award for Armed Forces support

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Top honour recognises commitment to Service children and families

PRENDERGAST CP School in Haverfordwest has been awarded the highest possible recognition for its support of Armed Forces families.

The school has secured Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing work to support pupils from Service backgrounds.

Headteacher Louise John said the achievement reflects a strong, whole-school commitment to ensuring Service children feel supported and able to succeed.

She said: “We are committed to ensuring Service pupils feel welcomed, understood and able to thrive.

“We recognise the unique experiences of children from Service families and have worked hard to embed that understanding across the school.

“Our approach focuses on early identification, strong communication with families, and consistent pastoral support.

“Achieving Gold status recognises the dedication of our staff and the inclusive practices already in place, while reinforcing our ongoing commitment to supporting Service children’s wellbeing, sense of belonging, and educational success.”

The Gold award, delivered through Supporting Service Children in Education Cymru (SSCE Cymru), requires schools to demonstrate strong and sustained support for Service children. This includes creating a positive environment where pupils can share their experiences and strengthening links with the wider Armed Forces community.

Prendergast CP School previously achieved both Bronze and Silver awards before progressing to the top level.

Cllr Simon Hancock, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, praised the achievement.

He said: “I would like to congratulate Prendergast School on achieving the coveted Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status.

“From my visits, it is clear the school actively engages with the Armed Forces community and provides a positive and supportive environment for Service children.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, added: “This is fantastic recognition of the ongoing work at Prendergast School.

“It highlights the importance of supporting Armed Forces families and sets a strong example of best practice. Well done to everyone involved.”