Crime
Trial for Pembrokeshire farm animal cruelty delayed until next year
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
Police appeal after alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen
OFFICERS investigating an alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen are appealing for the public’s help to identify a person who may have information.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened in front of F.Hinds jewellers on Lammas Street at around 4pm on Tuesday, May 12.
Investigating officers have carried out a number of enquiries and are now asking for assistance in identifying the person pictured.
Police stressed that the person may have information that could help the investigation.
Anyone who is the person pictured, or who knows who they are, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
Quote reference: 26000377639
Crime
Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van
A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.
The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.
Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.
This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.
“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.
“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.
“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”
Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.
“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.
“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”
Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.
He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.
Crime
Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven
Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system
A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.
Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.
“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.
Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.
He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.
“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.
After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.
She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
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