Crime

Court orders destruction of illegal fighting dog after owner fined

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2024

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared before magistrates after being found to be in possession of a prohibited fighting dog.

On April 3, officers attended a property in Haverfordwest, following concerns that an XL Bully was being kept there, which is a breed prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

There they discovered Leon Jones, 26, together with a dog which they suspected of being an XL Bully. The dog was removed from the premises for a formal examination to be carried out, and this concluded that it was indeed a fighting dog and an XL Bully.

This week Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates that in January of this year, the same dog had bitten a young child, which had resulted in an injury. However Ms Jackson gave no details of the extent of the injury, nor its nature.

The Crown made an application for a destruction order to be made for the dog, plus compensation to cover the cost of kennelling since its discovery in April. This totalled £3,825.

However Jones’ solicitor, Katy Hanson, claimed the defendant always ensured that the dog was muzzled when it was taken outside, and was always walked on a lead. She said the defendant had also made an application to register the dog.

“His partner had made the application but there was some confusion,” she said.

“By the time he was notified, the date for registration had passed.”

Jones, of Fleming Crescent, Haverfordwert, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a fighting dog.

After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Jones £120 and ordered him to pay £200 towards the kennelling costs, £85 prosecution costs and a £48 court surcharge.

Magistrates also ordered a destruction order on the dog, however if it is legally registered within 60 days, the dog will be allowed to survive.

Crime

Trial of men accused of murdering Ian Watkins delayed

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE TRIAL of two prison inmates accused of murdering former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been delayed by a day.

Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, died following an alleged attack at HMP Wakefield last October.

Rashid Gedel, 25, who has been referred to in court as Rico Gedel, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were due to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday (May 5).

The case is now expected to begin on Wednesday (May 6).

Watkins was jailed in December 2013 for 29 years, with a further six years on licence, after admitting a series of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.

He was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his home in Pontypridd on September 21, 2012. Officers seized computers, mobile phones and storage devices, which later revealed evidence of his offending.

Watkins had previously been taken to hospital after being attacked in prison in 2023.

In 2019, he was jailed for an additional ten months after being found guilty of possessing a mobile phone while in prison.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.