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.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

19 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

24 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.