Crime

Camrose woman kept 30 poodles in ‘disgusting’ conditions

Published

2 months ago

February 20, 2024

A COURT has been shown ‘disgusting and filthy’ video footage of 30 poodles that were being kept in severely substandard conditions on a farm near Haverfordwest.

The dogs were being kept by Alison Denise Silk, at her home on Rath Farm, Camrose, and were:

Matted in faeces;
Malnourished;
Forced to sleep on urine-soaked rugs;
Deprived of water and
Suffered severe dental problems.

“Each of these 30 poodles were being kept in appalling conditions,” District Judge Mark Layton said when passing judgement on Alison Silk at Haverfordwest Magistrates court this week.

“They were kept in absolutely filthy conditions, their teeth were in a severe dental state, their eyelids were matted and so was their fur. These dogs were suffering, and had been suffering for six months.”

The court was told that an RSPCA officer and a Pembrokeshire County Council dog warden visited Rath Farm on September 4, 2023..

“Alison Silk allowed them to enter her property and the officers immediately noticed a smell of faeces and urine,” explained solicitor Fenn Richards, who was prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA.

“A large number of dogs were found in the kitchen, and all were heavily matted. More were found in cages in the conservatory, which was hot, and there were large amounts of faeces which had been trodden into the floor and their bedding was soiled.”

The officers discovered more poodles in two runs situated in the garden.

Eight dogs were found in the first run and five in the second however Ms Richards stated that they were not being kept for commercial purposes. The cages and garden were also heavily covered in faeces and the cages were without food and water.

“The animals were being kept in an environment where there was no adequate nutrition, no drinking water, no proper veterinary treatment and no parasitic treatment,” continued Ms Richards.

“They couldn’t live in normal conditions because of the large number of dogs that was living both inside and outside the property.”

Ms Richards said that of the 30 poodles recovered from Rath Farm, 23 were deemed to have suffered as a result of inadequate nutrition and prolonged neglect and five had severe dental disease requiring tooth extractions.

Each of the dogs were subsequently removed from the property and are now being cared for by the RSPCA. Following a question by District Judge Mark Layton, Ms Richards confirmed that all dogs have survived.

Video footage and photographs were shown to District Judge Mark Layton which displayed the filthy conditions inside the property. The RSPCA officer could be heard saying, ‘This is pretty disgusting.”

Some of the water bowls displayed green or yellowing water and the flooring was thickly covered in dog faeces. Some of the matted and malnourished poodles were seen moving towards the officers, barking loudly.

As Alison Silk, 67, watched the videos, she was seen wiping her eyes.

She pleaded guilty to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and an additional charge of not taking steps to ensure the needs of her 30 poodles were met. She was legally unrepresented in court.

“I don’t have a solicitor because I’ve done wrong,” she said in mitigation. “I’ll take any punishment because I know I’ve let my dogs down badly.

“I’ve been breeding and training dogs since I was 16 and I’ve had a dog at my side since I was 12.

“But in the months leading up to the RSPCA visit, I lost several family members, including my older brother who brought me up, and it all got too much.”
Alison Silk went on to say that at the time of the offence she was suffering from leg ulcers, a broken collar bone, broken ribs and muscle trauma to her shoulder after falling off a ladder.

“I let my dogs down and I’m really sorry,” she continued. “Living without them is my punishment and I would never, ever have put them through what I did if I had been well.

“Being without a dog is going to be really hard.”

Alison Silk was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months.

She was ordered to pay £10,300 in costs to the RSPCA and a £134 court surcharge. She was disqualified from keeping, dealing and transporting animals for ten years.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Dafydd Llywelyn retains his post as our local commissioner

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE result of the election for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election has been declared.

Plaid’s Dafydd Llywelyn retains his role as commissioner. He has held the role since 2016.

The result of the election is as follows:

Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 7,719
Ian Harrison 19,134 (Con)
Dafydd Llywelyn 31,323 (Plaid)
Philippa Thompson (Lab) 18,353

Before the election, Dafydd Llywelyn promised: “As your current Commissioner, operational, front-line policing has, and always will come before party politics. I have a strong track record of delivering on my promises and of listening to the communities of Dyfed Powys. I am proud of what I have achieved since 2016, but there is still so much to do.

“I am an approachable individual and I believe in listening to all members of the community in order to shape a successful police force.

“Since 2016, I have increased resources whilst also retaining the lowest council tax levels in Wales. During that time, we’ve seen:

150 more Police Officers;

150 more Police Staff;
A CCTV system that is monitored 24/7 by police staff;
A dedicated rural crime team;
A focus on county lines drug dealing to target organised crime;
Investment in Youth Offending Teams to divert young people away from crime;
A new Offender Diversionary Scheme to reduce re-offending.

If re – elected:

I will safeguard Neighbourhood Policing resources retaining a visible local policing presence;
I will invest in the Communications Centre to ensure an accessible service;
I will continue to put the victim at the heart of the service and develop a truly victim led service;
I will work with operational staff to keep local police stations open;
I will invest in a new and refreshed School Police programme to deliver early intervention and preventative work;
I will prioritise working in partnership with organisations and agencies to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.

“Your safety is my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police Force remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”

Crime

Labour Crime Commissioner candidate gets most votes in Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

The Pembrokeshire declaration of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election just has been made by Deputy Returning Officer Steven Richards-Downes.

The results in Pembrokeshire are Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 1,209; Ian Harrison 5,168 (Con); Dafydd Llywelyn 4,643 (Plaid) and Philippa Thompson (Lab) 5,386.

Therefore Philippa Thompson, of Labour, has had the most votes in Pembrokeshire.

Votes are also being counted in Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Once all the votes are in we will know who is elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Police.

Before the election Philippa Thompson told this newspaper: “There’s a huge crisis in funding for policing and public services. The Conservative Westminster Government has so much to answer for having destroyed our country’s economy. Labour believes security is the bedrock on which opportunities are built, communities thrive, and local economies prosper.

“Instead of standing up for security, the Tories have done the opposite. This wasn’t an accident – it was the result of deliberate choices. A choice to cut police from our streets, a choice to undermine respect for the rule of law. Our communities cannot afford more of the same. Things have got to change.

“Labour will be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.”