Crime

Trial for Pembrokeshire farm animal cruelty delayed until next year

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2024

A MAN and his daughter, accused of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs, pigs, and sheep at a Pembrokeshire farm, have had their trial postponed to March next year.

Richard Scarfe, 43, of Park Street in Pembroke Dock, and Brogan Scarfe, 24, of Woodbine Terrace in Pembroke, denied the allegations which relate to the treatment of animals kept at the Ridgeway in Lamphey between January 25, 2022, and April 19, 2023.

During a previous hearing, defence barrister Alycia Carpanini asserted that Brogan Scarfe “denies that the animals were suffering.” She highlighted that a vet had visited the farm the day before the animals were seized and reported “no issues.”

Richard Scarfe previously informed the court that he was not responsible for the care of the animals, as he had been banned from keeping animals.

The trial was initially scheduled for February but was vacated due to delays in instructing a defence expert and complications with the legal aid funding application. A new date was set for July 29.

However, the case returned to Swansea Crown Court, where Andrew Taylor, representing Richard Scarfe, explained that the initially appointed expert “no longer accepts legal aid work.”

“There’s no way I can go into a trial without an expert or an expert report,” Mr Taylor stated. He added that a new expert had been identified but would require four months to complete his report.

Prosecutor Christian Jowett argued that the delay was due to the actions of the defendants’ representation. “This could have been done in August of last year,” he said, adding that the animals are currently in care at the public’s expense. “That will mean that these animals will have been kept for two years, and that is almost entirely the fault of the defendants’ representation.”

Judge Catherine Richards, addressing the further delay, expressed her dissatisfaction with the situation. “It’s not a position I’m impressed with,” she remarked.

Judge Richards ordered that the defence expert report be submitted by November 22, and the trial is now set to commence on March 3.

Crime

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

Published

22 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

23 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.