Crime
‘Outstanding’ rating awarded to Carmarthenshire Youth Justice Team
HM Inspectorate of Probation have rated Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Justice Team (YJT) as ‘Outstanding’ in their newly published inspection of youth offending services in Carmarthenshire, published on Monday, 18 March 2024.
The inspection is part of HM Inspectorate of Probation’s (IOP) programme of youth justice team (YJT) inspections and have inspected and rated Carmarthenshire YJT across three broad areas: the arrangements for organisational delivery of the service, the quality of work done with children sentenced by the courts, and the quality of out-of-court disposal work.
Overall, Carmarthenshire YJT was rated as ‘Outstanding’. The IOP also inspected the quality of resettlement policy and provision, which was separately rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The inspection acknowledged that staff know and understand their children and families well, and found high-quality work being delivered. A high level of care and dedication to the staff, children, and victims accessing the service, which extends from senior leaders to operational staff was also identified.
The inspection found that the YJT has invested in its staff, offering a comprehensive training package and regular opportunities for development and progression. It is reported that staff are motivated, passionate, and their hard work is routinely acknowledged and rewarded. The management board is invested in the YJT; has continually advocated for the service and proactively supported it in achieving the best outcomes for children, families, and victims.
The report noted that the YJT is highly respected within the partnership. Strong, vibrant and consistent leadership has enabled the service to operationalise its vision and strategy effectively. It found that there is a commitment to meeting the protected characteristics of those children the service works with. Whilst some elements of this are still in the early stages, they are showing promise.
Provision for Welsh speakers is well established. There are mature and cohesive partnership arrangements which enable children and families to access a range of services. These includes speech, language, and communication therapy, wraparound education support, and specialist intervention for children involved in sexually harmful behaviour. Partnership provision has also secured seconded staff from police and probation based within the YJT.
The IOP accredited the reparation provision as impressive; pointing to the work that the service has done with the community to identify and deliver meaningful and impactful projects. Children have been able to develop skills as well as engaging in restorative justice.
The findings of the IOP saw that the YJT proactively seeks opportunities to learn and improve the services it provides from the wider sector. This includes work with police partners in adopting and localising an approach for care-experienced children to avoid unnecessary criminalisation and contact with the justice system.
Finally, the inspection concluded that there is a robust quality assurance framework which has driven high-quality practice and casework. Management oversight is effective and evidenced in strong results from the post-court, out-of-court and resettlement inspection case samples.
Director of Community Services for Carmarthenshire County Council, Jake Morgan and Director of Education and Children’s Services, Gareth Morgans said: “We are incredibly proud of each and every member of our Youth Justice Team and grateful for their incredibly important work, which they conduct to very highest standards.
“Carmarthenshire Youth Justice Team are leaders in their sector and play an integral role within the local authority’s wellbeing objective of enabling our children and young people to have the best possible start in life.”
Crime
Six-year jail term a warning to drug dealers, says police
Detective says “robust approach” will continue as dealer caught after drugs hidden in car sale
A TOP detective has warned that a Milford Haven drug dealer’s six-year prison sentence should serve as a stark warning to others involved in the supply of illegal drugs.
Daniel Booth, aged 35, was jailed at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Mar 20) after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as well as possession of cannabis.

The case came to light after a member of the public discovered drugs hidden inside a car they had purchased from Booth.
The buyer reported the find to police, triggering an investigation that led to Booth’s arrest on January 5.
Officers later uncovered further evidence linking him to the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.
Hidden drugs discovery
The discovery of drugs concealed within the vehicle proved to be a key breakthrough in the case.
Police said the incident highlighted both the risks to unsuspecting members of the public and the lengths some offenders will go to in order to conceal their activities.
Booth was subsequently charged and later admitted the offences in court.
‘Clear warning’ to others
Speaking after sentencing, DC Phillip Jones, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit in Pembrokeshire, said the case should send a strong message.
He said: “The supplying of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine in our communities has damaging consequences, and I hope that this result serves as a reminder of Dyfed-Powys Police’s commitment to remove them from our streets.
“Booth’s six-year sentence should serve as a warning to anyone involved in the supply of illegal drugs that we and our partners in the justice system will take a robust approach while bringing these types of offenders to justice.”
Ongoing crackdown
Dyfed-Powys Police say tackling drug supply remains a key priority across Pembrokeshire, with officers continuing to target those involved in organised criminal activity.
The force has urged members of the public to report any concerns about suspected drug dealing in their communities.
Crime
Driver spared jail after crash killed young couple
A PEMBROKE DOCK driver who caused the deaths of a young couple in a road crash has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.
MacCallum had previously admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving when he appeared before the same court on 9 February.
The case related to a fatal two-vehicle collision on the A477 near Llanddowror at about 3:50pm on 13 June 2024.
The court heard that MacCallum was driving a Jaguar XKR when he lost control in wet conditions, crossed the carriageway and collided with a Ford Fiesta being driven by Adam Muskett, aged 27. His partner, Katie Worrell, aged 25, was a passenger in the car.
Mr Muskett died at the scene. Ms Worrell was taken to hospital with catastrophic injuries but died later the same day.
In a joint family statement, relatives of the couple said: “We would like to thank the emergency services who attended that fateful day and the people who stopped to help Katie and Adam. We are forever grateful to them.
“We recognise the sentence of the court, but there is no sentence that will ever bring our children and siblings back. We appreciate the work of Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to secure a conviction.
“Adam and Katie’s deaths were unnecessary. Had the defendant not driven his car in the manner that he did, they would still be with us.
“We now wish for privacy after what has been a long and difficult journey to the conclusion of this prosecution.
“We urge everyone to consider the manner and speed in which they drive their vehicles.”
PC Lucy Brookes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Following the tragic deaths of Adam and Katie, a full investigation into the collision was launched, and after consideration of the evidence it was deemed that MacCallum’s manner of driving was inappropriate for the very poor weather conditions.
“He was charged through a postal requisition in November 2025 and has now been sentenced.
“This has been a lengthy investigation into an incident which claimed the lives of two young people. While nothing can undo the loss of Adam and Katie, it is hoped that today’s sentence goes some way to providing justice for their loved ones, who have shown incredible strength throughout this process. Our thoughts very much remain with them.”
Crime
Driver denies dangerous driving charge over Carmarthenshire road incident
A DRIVER has denied dangerous driving following a prosecution brought by Dyfed-Powys Police over an alleged manoeuvre on a major road through rural Wales.
Anthony Rees, 60, of Tabor Road, Maesycwmmer, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 1) charged with dangerous driving and failing to comply with solid white line road markings.
The court heard the case relates to an incident on the A470 near Brecon on October 28, 2025, involving a Scania heavy tractor artic.
Prosecutors allege Rees began overtaking while on broken white lines, continued past warning signs for bends ahead, and then carried on overtaking around a right-hand bend, over solid white lines, before moving back onto his own side of the road shortly before a blind left-hand bend.
Rees pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Magistrates adjourned the matter for a further case management hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 22).
A trial is due to take place at the same court on Monday (Apr 27).
One small point: if you want it strictly accurate, Brecon is in Powys, not Carmarthenshire. So I would not put Carmarthenshire in the headline unless you want a broader court-location angle such as:
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