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Crime

Milford ‘rogue builder’ sent to prison after Trading Standards prosecution

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A BUILDER who continued to carry out shoddy work after appearing in court has started a 10 month prison sentence.

Scott Keane, of Milford Haven, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday October 6th in a case brought by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards team, who described him as a rogue builder in a post-court press release.

Keane, aged 42, had previously admitted six charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and appeared last week for sentencing.

The charges related to the poor replacement of a flat roof with a fibre glass roof in April 2021 and the removal of a chimney in July this year.

Both examples of shoddy work left householders out of pocket and having to carry out expensive remedial work.

Keane charged the householder £1,950 for the fibreglass roof which was also intended to be used as a terrace.

However, within days it became obvious that the work had been very poorly carried out and the roof was lifting away.

The structure was left unsafe. It had to be removed and replaced at a further cost of more than £2,000.

In July this year Keane was approached to take down a chimney and make good a roof of a home in Milford Haven.

The work was extremely poor, including removing brickwork in the dividing wall between neighbouring properties and creating a fire risk.

Keane did not respond to requests to return to rectify the problems or requests for a refund.

The householder contacted Trading Standards and an expert’s report said the roof had been left prone to storm damage with potential for debris to cause further damage and/or injury.

The roof was examined and cost of £1,500 to repair was estimated.

The chimney work happened just months after Keane had been placed under a suspended prison sentence in January 2022 for earlier shoddy work offences.

Then Keane had left a disabled pensioner with a leaking roof that needed to be replaced.

On Thursday Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Keane to six months in prison for latest offences and activated four months of the suspended prison term, totalling 10 months in prison.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “Pembrokeshire County Council is pleased with the imposition of a 10 month prison term for Scott Keane. The fact that he committed further unfair trading offences while placed under a suspended sentence shows a blatant disregard for the law and the impact of his offending on the victims.

“I commend our Trading Standards team for their diligent work in ensuring that once again Keane was not able to get away with providing shoddy work and leaving victims out of pocket.

“I hope this case once again underlines that we take rogue trader offences seriously and will prosecute wherever appropriate.”

 

Crime

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

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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.

 

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Crime

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

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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.

 

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Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

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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.

 

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