Crime

Suspended sentence for Llandeilo man who neglected five horses and foxhound

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2024

A WEST WALES man has been handed a suspended sentence after he was found to have neglected five horses and a foxhound.

Gregory Edward Baker, 43, of Rhydcymerau, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court for a two-day trial on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April, and faced five offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

They were that he caused unnecessary suffering to five equines by failing to adequately investigate or address the causes of their poor or underweight bodily conditions along with skin diseases namely rain scald, mud fever and lice infestation, and also did not meet their needs.

He also caused further unnecessary suffering to one of these equines – a chestnut mare – relating to her lameness of her left foreleg and unnecessary suffering to a foxhound by failing to provide prompt or effective professional veterinary care and attention for his paraphimosis (unretracted penis) with associated ulceration and fracture.

Following a two-day trial Baker was found guilty for all offences and on Thursday 16 May he was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment which has been suspended for 24 months.

This included a 20 week sentence for the first offence, 20 weeks for the second offence, 12 weeks for the third offence, eight weeks for the fourth offence and 12 weeks for the fifth offence – which will all run concurrently.

He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. One of the horses – which had been placed in another person’s care – was also transferred to the care of the RSPCA.

In a witness statement, provided to the court, RSPCA Inspector Neill Manley said he attended the location with RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Rohan Barker on 19 April 2023.

As permission was not granted by the owner to access the land, police were called along with a vet. Inspector Manley and ARO Barker inspected a large number of horses and dogs at the location with serious concern raised for five horses and one foxhound.

Firstly they saw the chestnut mare who was in the top field and was lame on the front leg.

He said she was “in very poor body condition with her ribs, spine and hip bones prominent and her coat covered in mud and patchy in places” which looked like rain scald.

In the lower field which was steeply sloping there was a grey/cream colt with a dark mane and tail and was in “very poor body condition with a muddy and unkempt winter coat”.

He said: “Even through the winter coat you could see her ribs, spine and hip bones protruding. The field was overgrown in patches with bramble and in one bramble patch was the decomposing carcass of a horse.”

Another horse – a grey gelding with a rug on was also “in very poor body condition with its rib hip and spine bones clearly visible”.

Whilst another horse, a grey/palomino yearling colt, was found to be in very poor body condition and a black Shetland pony mare was found to be in very poor body condition.

Inspector Manley said the pony “was quite weak and unsteady on its feet” and when they along with the vet caught her the pony collapsed and needed help to get back on her feet.

At the dog kennels there were a number of female hounds – and advice was given to the owner about one of them who was lame on her front leg to get the dog checked by a vet.

A male hound was found with a prolapsed penis. Inspector Manley said: “He was a white entire male in reasonable body condition, but had what appeared to me to be a prolapsed penis that looked infected and misshapen.”

In a witness statement – provided to the court – by the vet who examined the foxhound, they said that there were two ulcers on the penis and the “smell of the area was of rotting flesh”. Suggested options were partial penile amputation and castrate, urethrostomy or for the dog to be put to sleep. The vet added the owner “elected for the dog to be put to sleep”.

Two of the horses were transferred to a family member but sadly one of these – the chestnut mare who was found to be severely lame – was put to sleep on advice from an independent vet on welfare grounds to prevent further suffering.

In a witness statement – provided to the court – by the vet who examined and monitored the horses they said the mare had a “discharging abscess on her left fore”, she had a body score of two out of five, rain scald and lice and was heavy in foal. Treatment was given but sadly she lost her foal and failed to improve.

The vet added: “I radiographed her left fore food and sadly but unsurprisingly found a sequestrum (infected fragment of bone) and osteomyelitis (bone infection). Enthanasia was recommend on humane grounds as there was a hopeless prognosis of successful treatment.”

The other three horses – who were placed in the care of the RSPCA – were taken to a boarding establishment.

The vet added: “All three ponies had put on a considerable amount of weight in just under a month – this was only attributable to the provision of appropriate nutrition.”

Inspector Manley also issued the owner an improvement notice advising him of the improvements that needed to be made. In mitigation the court heard that there has been no criticism since with any of the animals in his care and a disqualification order was not imposed.

Crime

Emergency bags rolled out to support domestic abuse victims across Dyfed-Powys

Published

14 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Thirty packs provide immediate help for families fleeing dangerous situations

A NEW initiative aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse has seen thirty emergency bags distributed for use across the Dyfed-Powys Police area.

The bags, which contain essential items including toiletries, non-perishable snacks and emergency supplies, are designed to offer immediate practical support to individuals and families forced to flee abusive situations, often with little or nothing.

The scheme forms part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for victims and is being delivered in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police and Dal i Godi, the commissioned Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA) service.

Dal i Godi provides specialist support to victims at high risk of serious harm, including safety planning and advocacy through the criminal justice process.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said the initiative was already proving its value.

“This is an incredible initiative that I’m proud to support,” he said. “It provides meaningful help to those experiencing trauma and reflects our ongoing work to put victims first.

“Within just a few days of the bags being distributed to the Dal i Godi service, one was given to a victim fleeing a domestic abuse situation, along with a children’s pack to support their young family. That shows just how essential this support can be and how quickly it can make a difference.”

Detective Chief Inspector Llyr Williams, from the Dyfed-Powys Police Vulnerability Hub, said the emergency bags could provide a vital lifeline at critical moments.

“These emergency bags offer support at some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life,” he said.

“The contents provide immediate comfort, dignity and practical help for those leaving their homes in crisis. While simple, they represent an important first step towards safety and recovery.

“We are proud to be working with partners across the Dyfed-Powys area to ensure this support reaches people when they need it most.”

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or concerned about someone else, is encouraged to seek help. In an emergency, call 999.

Domestic abuse can also be reported online via Dyfed-Powys Police.

Support services available include Victim Support Dyfed-Powys, which offers free and confidential help to anyone affected by crime, whether or not it has been reported, and Dal i Godi, which provides specialist IDVA support for high-risk victims.

The Live Fear Free Helpline offers 24-hour support for those experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence across Wales.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, please consider reporting it. If you are in danger or need support right away, please call 999.

You can report domestic abuse through the online crime reporting service here: Report domestic abuse | Dyfed-Powys Police.

Support is also available via the below support services:

Victim Support Dyfed-Powys

Free, independent support for anyone affected by crime in the Dyfed-Powys area, whether or not it has been reported to the police.

0300 123 2996

Victim Support Dyfed-Powys

Dal i Godi (IDVA Service)

Specialist support for victims of domestic abuse at high risk, offering safety planning, emotional support, and advocacy with agencies such as police and courts.

01267 221194

Dal i Godi

Live Fear Free Helpline

24/7 support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence.

0808 80 10 800 | Text 07860 077333

[email protected]

Crime

Rugby player’s life changed forever by knife attack — attacker jailed for 22½ years

Published

16 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Seren Baker

A YOUNG rugby player was left fighting for his life after being stabbed repeatedly outside a Gorseinon social club — and on Friday (Dec 19) the man responsible was jailed at Swansea Crown Court.

Morgan Hopkins, aged 18 at the time of the attack, was seriously injured in the early hours of Sunday (June 22) outside The New Lodge Social Club on Alexandra Road.

Mr Hopkins, known to friends as “Hobby”, is a local rugby player with Morriston RFC. He had been waiting for a lift home with his girlfriend when trouble broke out nearby.

The court heard that Mr Hopkins attempted to defuse a confrontation between another group of males and Kane Evans. As tensions rose, Evans approached Mr Hopkins armed with a knife.

In a final attempt to calm the situation, Mr Hopkins reportedly said: “No one needed to get hurt.”

***Morgan Hopkins,18, pictured here with his parents was left with life-changing injuries following the attack***

Moments later, Evans launched a ferocious and unprovoked attack.

Mr Hopkins was stabbed no fewer than ten times to the chest and abdomen. Surgeons later told police that one of the wounds was less than half an inch from being fatal.

He underwent extensive emergency surgery and was left with lasting physical and psychological injuries.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Hopkins described the terror of the attack and the devastating impact it has had on his life.

He said his dream of playing professional rugby had been put on hold, adding that the loss of weekly matches had left him feeling lost and isolated. He told the court he no longer felt safe in his own home and struggled to go out, describing ongoing anxiety and depression.

Mr Hopkins also detailed the financial consequences of the attack, saying he had lost around £4,800 in wages and a further £800 from a cancelled holiday.

Police confirmed that Kane Evans, now aged 21, had gone out that night armed with a kitchen knife and may also have been carrying a second Stanley-type blade.

Officers said Evans was aggressive at the time of his arrest and was later charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

At Swansea Crown Court today, Evans was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison, with an extended licence period of five years to follow.

Passing sentence, the judge described the attack as random and extremely violent, warning that Evans posed a serious ongoing risk to the public.

Family members and supporters of Mr Hopkins were present in court as the sentence was handed down.

Since the attack, friends, teammates and members of the local community have rallied around Mr Hopkins, offering support as he continues his recovery from injuries that have permanently altered his life.

Crime

Police appeal after stolen Ford Fiesta crashes into lamppost

Published

16 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Officers ask residents to check CCTV and dashcam footage

POLICE are appealing for information following the theft of a vehicle in Ystradowen on Thursday evening (Dec 18).

A silver Ford Fiesta, registration CV05 CVJ, was reported stolen from a property on Brynawel Terrace, Penygraig Road, at around 5.30pm.

The vehicle was later discovered on New Road, Cwmllynfell, where it had been involved in a collision with a lamppost.

Dyfed-Powys Police are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle, or who lives or travelled along the route between Brynawel Terrace and New Road, Cwmllynfell, to check their CCTV or dashcam footage in case the incident was captured.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by calling 101, or by sending a direct message via social media.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Quote reference: 25*1032732.