Crime

Organised Crime Group member found hiding under a pile of clothes jailed

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2024

A OCG member, who hid from officers under a pile of clothes, has received a prison sentence of almost five years.

Rhys Jones, 21, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday 17 April, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – heroin and burglary.

He was sentenced to four years and 10 months imprisonment.

Jones was arrested following a warrant at his address where he was found in possession of heroin with a street value of more than £25,000.

He was later caught on CCTV using a stolen bank card linking him to a burglary where a car, money and bank cards had been taken in the early hours of the morning.

The car has since been recovered.

Rhys Jones, the officer in the case, said: “Jones was arrested as part of Operation Bergen, a proactive and collaborate operation set by our Serious Organised Crime (SOC) and Neighbourhood team, to tackle serious organised crime in Rhymney and the surrounding area.

“He is a significant member of a serious organised crime group and was found in possession of vast quantities of heroin.

“We know that drug supply often has links into different types of criminal behaviour and Jones went on to commit further offences – showing his complete disregard for the criminal justice system and the community that he is a part of.

“Jones was driven by greed – selling drug to make money for the OCG and line his own pockets with no consideration for the harm and distress he caused.

“The public play a vital role by providing intelligence about drug dealing in their area and we welcome any information from our communities to help us tackle illegal activity.”

Crime

Man used vulnerable victim’s bank card at Milford Haven Tesco

Published

19 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been given a suspended prison sentence after using a vulnerable man’s bank card at Tesco Extra in Milford Haven.

Mark Anthony Hambrook, of Keeston, admitted fraud by false representation when he appeared before magistrates.

The court heard that Hambrook dishonestly used the card on April 29, 2025, spending £220.

Magistrates said the offence crossed the custody threshold because it involved a breach of trust, a vulnerable victim, and was committed while Hambrook was on post-sentence supervision.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Hambrook was also ordered to pay £220 compensation, together with a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Cilgerran man denies breaching court ban on keeping animals

Published

20 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Court Reporter

39-year-old accused of keeping a dog despite court-imposed disqualification order dating back to 2019

A CILGERRAN man has denied breaching a court-imposed ban on keeping animals.

Max Huntley, 39, of Castell Corwg, Cilgerran, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 14) for a further case management hearing.

He is accused of breaching a disqualification order imposed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The court register states that Huntley was disqualified following conviction and sentence at Swansea Crown Court on March 14, 2019, for an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.

The allegation now before the court is that, on or about August 10, 2025, at Castell Corwg, Cilgerran, he breached that disqualification by having custody of a dog.

Huntley has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The case was adjourned to allow the prosecution to confirm details relating to the defendant and how a solicitor could contact him.

He was remanded on unconditional bail and must attend the next hearing at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 27, at 10:00am.

The hearing is listed for further case management and is expected to last around 20 minutes.