Crime

Alcoholic mother sentenced to four years for child cruelty

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2023

A MOTHER from Pembrokeshire, facing 15 counts of child cruelty at Swansea Crown Court, has been handed a four-year prison sentence for her decade-long abuse of her own children.

The mother, whose identity remains concealed to safeguard the children’s privacy, was revealed to have physically and emotionally abused her offspring, who range in age from 5 to 14.

Prosecutor Dean Pulling remarked on Monday (Sept 18), “The prolonged cruelty endured by these children is incomprehensible – from physical assaults to emotional torment.”

On a chilling day in June of the previous year, the father of the younger children observed an alarming red mark around one child’s eye. The child reluctantly revealed that her mother had shoved her in the shower, causing the injury. Additional bruises were discovered on another child.

Concerns intensified when a school teaching assistant spotted the injury. Although the child was initially reticent, they later admitted to the school headteacher that their mother was the perpetrator, an account corroborated by their sibling.

In a distressing turn of events, the mother’s verbal and physical abuse was captured on recordings. In one recording, she is overheard menacingly declaring, “I don’t care what happens here. If I strike you, never tell your teacher.”

Upon hearing these recordings, the children’s father was left “physically sickened” and promptly turned them over to the school and subsequently to the police.

The family’s home was reported to be in a dire state. Prosecutor Pulling detailed that the dwelling was filthy, with damaged doors, cluttered children’s rooms, and even soiled puppy pads strewn around, emanating an overpowering odour of urine.

When confronted, the mother conceded her actions but downplayed the severity, accusing the children of deceit and the father of manipulating them into making accusations. She stated, “I didn’t hit them hard. It was merely to shock them.”

Mr. Pulling highlighted the long-standing engagement of both social services and the police with the mother, dating back to 2010. The children, conditioned by their mother’s threats, remained silent, fearing separation if they confided in anyone.

Gravely, a paediatrician’s evaluation concluded that the children’s injuries were consistent with abuse. Additionally, the court was appalled to learn of the children’s developmental delays, dental issues, and infestations.

Defence counsel Stuart John lamented the lack of decisive intervention, stating, “It’s tragic that social services did not intervene sooner. These children deserved better.”

Acknowledging her wrongdoings, the defendant expressed remorse, citing efforts to combat her alcohol addiction.

Judge Catherine Richards conveyed her horror, asserting that the audio recordings were “truly harrowing for any adult to hear, let alone a child.”

The mother was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment for the initial 12 charges, with additional concurrent sentences for the remaining offences relating to specific incidents.

Crime

Man accused of kidnap and wounding with intent remanded in custody

Published

6 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN accused of kidnapping and seriously wounding another man has been remanded in custody following a court appearance in Haverfordwest.

Lewys Lintern, aged 20, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road in Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 29) charged with two serious offences arising from an incident earlier this month.

Lintern faces one charge of wounding with intent, contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, after allegedly attacking Darryl Stephens in Haverfordwest on April 8 with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm.

He is also charged under common law with kidnap, accused of unlawfully and by force or fraud taking or carrying away Mr Stephens against his will in Milford Haven on the same date.

The case was deemed too serious to be dealt with by magistrates and was sent to Swansea Crown Court. No pleas were entered during the hearing.

Represented by defence solicitor John Pennington, Lintern was remanded in custody due to the nature and seriousness of the charges, the risk of further offending, and a previous failure to surrender to bail. Prosecutor Linda Baker appeared on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Magistrates Mr J Steadman, Mrs H Morgan and Mrs L Harrison ordered that Lintern remain in custody until his next court appearance.

He is scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 30 at 9:00am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Pembrokeshire vape shops back in court tomorrow as closure order case resumes

Published

6 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Shops remain shut since emergency notices issued two weeks ago

TWO vape shops in Pembrokeshire which have remained closed since mid-April are due back before magistrates tomorrow (Thursday, May 1) as closure order applications continue.

KR Vapes in Milford Haven and Vape Zone in Haverfordwest were both the subject of emergency closure notices served on April 16 under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The original hearing took place on April 17, but the matter was adjourned and is now listed to be heard again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

KR Vapes, based at 63 Charles Street, and Vape Zone, located at 33 High Street in Sovereign House, are both accused of being involved in serious nuisance or disorder, prompting the application for court-ordered closures.

Court records show that the applications were submitted by the same informant, believed to be acting on behalf of the local authority or police.

Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, magistrates can issue a closure order if satisfied that the premises are linked to ongoing public nuisance, criminality, or disorder. If granted, the orders can last for up to three months, and be extended to six.

Both businesses have remained closed since the day before the initial hearing.

On April 18, The Herald spoke to the manager of KR Vapes, who said he didn’t expect the closure to last more than a month.

“I have a lawyer from London who asked for more time because we needed to get everything together and we didn’t have enough time. I think we will open again soon,” he added.

The second hearing is listed for 10:00am in Courtroom 1.

The Herald will report from court and provide updates as the case develops.

Crime

Carmarthenshire woman who poured boiling water on mice sentenced

Published

20 hours ago

April 29, 2025

Court Reporter

A WOMAN has been banned from keeping animals for seven years and handed a suspended prison sentence after pouring boiling water and bleach on a group of wild mice trapped in a wheelie bin.

Carys Ann Roberts, aged 28, of Cross Hands Road, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that on 20 August 2024, at Maesawel, Black Lion Road, Cross Hands, Roberts caused unnecessary suffering to several small rodents — believed to be seven wild mice — by pouring bleach and boiling water over them, leading to burns and death.

Roberts had sent messages to a WhatsApp group of work colleagues, informing them of her intentions. Despite their pleas for her not to proceed, she carried out the act. The court heard she poured around half a bottle of bleach into the bin before adding boiling water from a kettle. After about five minutes, she placed the dead mice into a bin bag and left it out for collection the following day.

The matter was reported to police, who referred it to the RSPCA.

During sentencing on 17 April, the court was told that Roberts had apologised and claimed it was an error of judgement.

She was sentenced to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 18 months, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and must pay £400 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. Roberts was also banned from keeping animals for seven years.

In sentencing remarks, the District Judge said: “This was a serious offence. Animals feel pain just as we do and are protected by law.”

An independent expert veterinary report presented to the court stated that the boiling water would have caused “severe burns” and “serious pain.” It added: “If the burns are extensive and involve most of the skin surface, they are liable to be fatal. Equally, depending on the quantity of water poured into the bin, the rodents may potentially have drowned, causing further pain, distress, and suffering.”

The report also confirmed that bleach would have caused “chemical burns.”

The court heard that Roberts had access to humane alternatives, including the offer of help from a pest control company or the option to release the mice away from the property.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben said: “All animals — big and small — deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. These mice suffered greatly and died as a result of intentional actions. She had been offered an alternative and advised against what she did, but sadly the mice suffered unnecessarily.”

For those concerned about mice or other rodents, the RSPCA advises simple and humane deterrent methods.

Rebecca Machin, RSPCA Scientific and Policy Officer, said: “There are several kinds of mouse in the UK, and they are an important part of our wildlife. To deter mice around the home, the key is to remove sources of food that attract them. Food should be stored in airtight containers, and crumbs should be cleaned up.

“Cotton wool balls soaked in peppermint, eucalyptus, or spearmint oil may help deter rodents, and holes should be blocked with ‘mouse mesh’, a type of wire wool rodents cannot nibble through. In gardens, planting daffodils, wood hyacinth and alliums can also help, as rodents dislike them. Keeping gardens tidy and moving furniture can also deter them, as rodents dislike sudden changes.

“If deterrents do not work, a professional pest controller can remove rodents humanely. However, long-term success depends on removing whatever attracted them in the first place.”