News

Mount Estate man’s car had £73k worth of weed in the boot

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2022

A MOUNT ESTATE resident described by his barrister as ‘a gentleman’ tried to stop police looking in his car because it contained more than £73,000 worth of cannabis, Swansea Crown Court has heard.

On the evening of July 25, police located a car belonging to Joel Young in Milford Haven and noticed that there was a very strong odour, like cannabis, coming from it.

Milford Haven police officers eventually tracked Young down, and he agreed to give the police the cannabis which was believed to be in the vehicle. But he soon changed his story and tried to say the drugs were not actually in the car but inside a house. Realising that the small of the drugs had given him away, he then changed his story again for a second time making officers suspicious.

Young’s attitude changed when it was clear that police were going to search the car and when asked how much they could expect to find inside he answered, “a lot”.

Prosecutor Dean Pulling told Swansea Crown Court on September 8 that Young, of then began deleting messages on his phone, leading one officer to try and grab the device from him.

But determined that the police should not get hold of the device, he was able to throw the phone to floor and smash it.

Inside the boot of the vehicle police discovered a number of laundry bags filled with cannabis – six kilograms a potential street value of £73,020.

In mitigation, defence barrister Katy Hanson said her client had been “very open and frank” about his role in the operation.

She added that he was a “gentleman with no previous convictions” who is “extremely remorseful”.

A letter written from Young was read in court which said: “I have made the biggest mistake of my life. I have lost my job and self-respect. I will learn from my mistakes, and I will never put myself and my family through this again.”

Young had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a class B drug with intent to supply, and in summing up the case Judge Catherine Richards said it was clear that he did play a “significant role”.

She sentenced him to 30 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

He must also carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within 12 months, and complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Crime

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

Published

14 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

14 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

15 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.