News

Zac’s family pens words of thanks for ongoing support from local community

Published

4 years ago

July 7, 2022

CARLI NEWELL, Zac’s mother, who works as a journalist at The Pembrokeshire Herald, wrote an emotional post on social media this week thanking the community.

Carli wrote: “As a family, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire community for your outpouring of love, support and comfort during the most horrendous time we will ever experience. Although we haven’t been able to reply to everyone individually, not a single thing has gone unnoticed.

We have been completely overwhelmed with your gestures and generosity.

No words will ever describe how much your support means to us.

We are sorry if there is anyone we haven’t managed to reply to, but please know, we have found such huge comfort in reading everyone’s comments about our beautiful boy. Everyone has so many stories to tell and photos to share, it’s been incredible to see how many people loved our baby. The amount of lives he has touched in his short years is truly unbelievable and is a credit to his cheeky, mischievous and caring nature.

To Zac’s superhero big brother, Tyler, who jumped back in and tried desperately hard to save Zaccy. You always have and always will be Zac’s best friend and his number one hero. We are so unbelievably proud of you and your bravery.

To the two absolute heroes who first got to zaccy and gave him everything they had to give, so he had the best possible chance, the RNLI, the Coastguard and all emergency services who helped at the scene, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and soul.

To the phenomenal staff at Glangwili Hospital who worked for almost 7 hours to get our boy stable enough to go to Cardiff. We will never forget your efforts, and without you we would never have got those last few hours to spend with our baby and say goodbye. You were all absolutely amazing and we are forever indebted to you.

Zac really was a one of a kind. There will never be another like our Zaccy boy.

Arrangements are being made to celebrate the life of Zac and we will release them once everything is confirmed.

Again, words cannot express how truly thankful we are to each and every one of you for all you have done and are continuing to do for us.”

The family said they noticed on social media that there was some criticism after a Pembrokeshire Herald car was seen rushing to the scene of the incident, however the family said they would like to confirm it was in fact them making their way to the scene after being contacted by the emergency services.

The staff at The Pembrokeshire Herald wish to express their condolences to the family on the loss of Zac.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. Zac was well known to us all, having spent many days during school holidays at the office. We have been, of course, all shocked and saddened by the terrible news, and we have promised to help in any way possible whilst Carli and her family work to rebuild their lives, following this awful tragedy” – Tom Sinclair , Editor.

Crime

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

Published

11 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

11 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

12 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.