News

Paul Davies MS visits Megan’s Starr Foundation in Milford Haven

Published

3 years ago

April 25, 2023

THE MEMBER of the Senedd for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Paul Davies, went along to see first-hand the impact of work funded through The National Lottery, to support young people and their families struggling with mental health and well-being.

Megan’s Starr Foundation was established by Nicola Harteveld, in memory of her 14-year-old daughter, Megan Evans. The Foundation concentrates on providing help, advice and support to young people and parents struggling with their mental health and well-being.

They work to promote a shared conversation and response to mental health, teen suicide and bullying in which everyone works together to create safe environments for young people.

Thanks to National Lottery players, last year Megan’s Starr Foundation was awarded a £94,998 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to develop their Speakeasy Mobile Coffee Van. The van provides access to mental health support for young people based in remote and rural locations.

The funding is also providing greater opportunities for young people to gain barista skills, build self-confidence and experience customer service as well as reducing isolation and improving their mental well-being.

The Foundation also benefited from a £4,790 National Lottery grant in 2021, for their Together Old and Young (TOY) project. This intergenerational project brought together young and older people to enjoy different activities, promoted intergenerational learning, and created new possibilities for older adults and young people in the community to learn together and benefit from each other’s company.

Nicola Harteveld, Founder of Megan’s Starr Foundation, commented: “On behalf of everyone at Megan’s Starr, we would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund for recognising and believing in our vision of bringing new and diverse mental health support to the young people in our community that would not otherwise have access to services. This funding has already been instrumental in changing young people’s lives for the better and that is something that we are extremely grateful for and very proud of.”

Paul Davies, The Member of The Senedd for Preseli Pembrokeshire, said: “Megan’s Starr Foundation is doing such a great job in the local community and so I was delighted to meet with the team and hear more about the impact that National Lottery funding has had on the charity. I was particularly interested to see their new mobile Coffee and Shake van, which is a great way of engaging with young people and providing support in the community, in a safe and comfortable environment.

“Thank you to Nicola Harteveld and Nicola Russell-Brooks from The National Lottery Community Fund for the warm welcome and I look forward to seeing Megan’s Starr Foundation continue to go from strength to strength in the future.”

John Rose, Wales Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are proud to be the largest funder of community activity in the UK, supporting grassroots groups and charities doing amazing things like Megan’s Starr Foundation. This group play a vital role in supporting the mental health and well-being of young people and their families, in and around Pembrokeshire.”

Crime

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

Published

6 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

6 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

7 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.