News

Bramble ‘Hell’ Farm owner sent to prison for breach of animal ban order

Published

3 years ago

March 2, 2023

A CONTROVERSIAL Pembrokeshire farmer who was disqualified from keeping animals indefinitely has today (Mar 2) been sent to prison.

Sean Ronald Burns, age 52, of Bramble Hall Farm, Ferry Lane, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a court order by keeping lovebirds, dogs and tortoises.

The offending was committed whilst the defendant was subject to a suspended sentence order.

In September 2020 he received a suspended prison sentence, alongside two other men for his part in the production of smokies at Bramble Hall Farm.

His Honour Judge Thomas outlined the past offending of Burns as part of an aggravating feature to the breach, with a number of animal welfare convictions dating back to 2018.

A huge animal welfare operation was held at Bramble Hall Farm back in January 2019 where more than 200 animals were removed from the property.

It was dubbed ‘Bramble Hell Farm’.

Burns arrived at Swansea Crown Court in a wheelchair, along with copies of medications and medical conditions.

Defending barrister Mr Roach, asked the judge to take into account Burns’ health condition when considering any custodial sentence.

However, during sentencing Judge Thomas said: “You’ve arrived today in a wheelchair.

“What is absent is any medical evidence, I have also been told you haven’t seen Dr in 18 months even though you use a wheelchair often.

“I have some scepticism about it, especially as no evidence has been obtained.”

The court heard how the breach came to light after a police officer attended the property over reports that dogs were on the main road. A report was made to the council who arrived the following day with the police to remove the animals.

Some of the animals were found to be in very poor health, with excrement covering the floor and the dog beds. The tortoise was found without any access to leafy greens.

A Black cat and a decapitated chicken carcass were found inside a telephone box on the property.

Three older dogs were in poor condition. And a puppy required immediate vet attention with the removal of six temporary teeth.

Burns accepted the breaches, however denied any ownership of the animals.

Judge Thomas told the court how he felt there was no other option than to activate the suspended sentence.

He said: “‘This is a Flagrant breach’ by keeping a tortoise, love birds and 12 dogs.

“Some were kept in poor conditions.

“Three dogs were very poorly treated indeed.

“You continued to keep animals under your control.”

Burns was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for each of the three breaches admitted, to run concurrently.

Judge Thomas activated the defendants suspended sentence, however took into consideration Bruns’ health conditions, an activation period was set at eight months to run concurrently.

Burns will serve half of the sentence in custody with the remaining period on licence.

A new order was also imposed, banning Burns from not only owning animals but also all types of animal interaction.

No application can be made to change the order for a period of 10 years.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.