Crime

Four-figure fine because of four-legged friends

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

A PACK of dogs which bark persistently in a Pembrokeshire residential area have resulted in a four-figure fine for their owner.

“The lady living in the property beneath has been concerned about the noise for some considerable time,” said solicitor Jill Davies, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council. “Sometimes the dogs can be heard barking at two, three and even four o’clock in the morning,”

As a result, noise abatement notices were served on Catherine Jones, 51, of Northfield Terrace, Robseston Wathen, following numerous visits by Pembrokeshire County Council’s enforcement officers, RSPCA officers and police officers. But despite the notices, Catherine Jones’s dogs continued to bark.

“The noise abatement notices were served as a result of at least five dogs, possibly as many as seven, barking in a domestic local authority property,” continued Jill Davies.

Last week Jones was found guilty in her absence by Haverfordwest magistrates of five charges of failing to comply with a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act and three charges of failing to comply with a community protection notice.

This Tuesday, May 7, the matter was brought back to Haverfordwest Magistrates Court for sentencing; once again Catherine Jones failed to attend.

Jones was ordered to pay a total of £1,640, comprising a £440 fine and £1,200 prosecution costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. An application by the local authority for a criminal behaviour order to be served against Jones was declined by magistrates.

Crime

Llandeilo man accused of rape sent to Crown Court

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Court Reporter

Ben Barrett remanded in custody ahead of Swansea hearing

A LLANDEILO man accused of rape has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.

Ben Barrett, 37, of Maes y Farchnad, Llandeilo, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2).

He is charged with rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Llandeilo between March 21 and March 31, 2025.

No plea was entered during the magistrates’ court hearing.

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Barrett was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Cilgerran man accused of intentional strangulation in Haverfordwest

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Court Reporter

Carl Rago remains in custody after separate guilty plea to damaging police property

A CILGERRAN man accused of intentionally strangling a woman in Haverfordwest has been remanded in custody.

Carl Rago, 29, of Penffynnon, Cilgerran, Cardigan, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2) for a mention hearing.

The court register states that Rago is charged with intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on May 25.

No plea is recorded on the court register for that charge.

Rago has also indicated a guilty plea to a separate charge of criminal damage.

That offence relates to damage caused in Haverfordwest on June 7 to the inside of a police vehicle, described as a C30 Vauxhall van, and a Samsung mobile phone belonging to Dyfed-Powys Police.

The damage was valued at under £5,000.

Magistrates remanded Rago in custody after the hearing. The court register records the remand basis as including a likelihood of further offending, breach of bail, previous record and character, and the nature and seriousness of the offences.

The case was adjourned for a further mention hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 23.

Crime

Currys theft spree defendant remains in custody as sentencing is delayed

Published

3 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Court Reporter

Man admitted offences including £1,525 Haverfordwest theft and £7,664 Carmarthen theft

A MAN who admitted stealing thousands of pounds worth of electrical items from Currys stores, including branches in Haverfordwest and Carmarthen, has been remanded in custody after his sentencing was adjourned.

Ilia Patchkoria, 27, of no fixed abode, Bacup, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2) for a mention hearing.

He had previously indicated guilty pleas to eight theft charges involving Currys stores across Wales and the south west of England.

The court register states that Patchkoria stole electrical items worth £1,525 from Currys PC World in Haverfordwest on May 23.

On the same day, he also stole electrical items worth £7,664.78 from Currys PC World in Carmarthen.

Further offences involved thefts from Currys stores in Torquay, Barnstaple, Penzance, Plymouth and Truro between May 14 and May 18.

The total known value of the stolen goods is at least £17,459.46, with the value of the Truro offence listed as unknown.

Magistrates remanded Patchkoria in custody after the hearing. The court register records the remand basis as including a likelihood of further offending, failure to surrender, the nature and seriousness of the offences, breach of court orders, and the real prospect of a custodial sentence.

The case was adjourned for sentence at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 16.