News

Tackling in-work poverty Pembrokeshire creates perfect pairing

Published

4 years ago

November 16, 2021

Lana Watkins (right) showing Jane Davies (left) how it is done at her place of work, Kilgetty Co-op.

TACKLING in-work Poverty Pembrokeshire (TPP) has supported and connected two well-suited participants, supporting the pair to return to employment after lockdown.

TPP, which has been supported by the European Social Fund, through the Welsh Government, aims to improve the prospects and earning potential of people who experience the effects of in-work poverty, including disability or long-term absence from work.

Lana Watkins, who has Down’s syndrome and additional support needs, was a team member at her local Co-op in Kilgetty when the first Covid-19 lockdown began.

It was necessary to implement some extra support to help her ease more comfortably into the shop’s new Covid measures. The TPP team were keen to support Lana so that she could return to a work environment that she loves.

Mary Howes (Quality and Performance Supervisor, TPP) offered Lana essential advice for her return to work and obtained funding for a support worker and travel costs from Access to Work, a Department of Work and Pensions initiative that provide workplace support for

people with a disability or health condition.

With these accommodations in place, the team set about finding a suitable support worker for Lana.

Fortunately, the team already had a suitable candidate in mind. Jane Davies had been referred to the TPP project after a period of absence from her previous employment which, she described, had knocked her confidence.

Jane hoped to find an opportunity that would offer her a better work-life balance. With the help of Michelle Workman (Employment Liaison Officer, TPP), Jane had taken part in some in-house confidence- building sessions, where she identified her employment strengths.

Her development through this process and her relevant skill set made Jane the most suitable candidate for the role.

Jane and Lana formed a perfect match, and their pairing meant that both participants were able to return to employment. David Darracott, manager of Kilgetty Co-op, said he is “delighted with the support, we are pleased to work in partnership with TPP to provide employment opportunities in the community” and that Jane has “fitted in well and is excellent at supporting Lana, who is a popular member of the Co-op store team here in the local community.”

Jane and Lana are both pleased with their return to employment. Talking about her journey with TPP and Co-op Kilgetty, Jane says she “cannot praise [her] mentor and other staff members enough for all the help received” and she feels “so much more confident and valued.”

Lana shared a sentiment that many of us can relate to following the unfamiliarity of life in lockdown: “I am glad to be back in work with my friends”.

Employability Pembrokeshire is the single point of access for people looking to develop employment skills and get into work.

The team at Employability Pembrokeshire provide one-to-one support and additional provisions, including access to work applications and complementary therapies.

They also work in partnership with employers who can offer opportunities and initiatives, which can help people to develop skills needed for employment.

Employment can have a big impact on our wellbeing. Alongside improving income, employment can provide people with purpose and value, and improve social inclusion and connections with others.

It can be difficult for people to feel that they have value to offer and that change is possible, even in the face of barriers that feel too big to overcome.

If you are looking to improve your employment prospects please contact Employability Pembrokeshire for support:

Tel: 01437 776609

Email: [email protected]

Crime

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

Published

6 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

7 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

8 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.