News

Neyland Town Council paralysed as Clerk submits grievance over harassment

Published

1 year ago

October 8, 2024

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed that the postponement of Monday’s (Oct 7) council meeting was due to the submission of a formal grievance complaint, alleging harassment by several councillors.

The Mayor of Neyland, Councillor Peter Hay, has issued a statement outlining the situation and the actions taken so far.

According to the statement, published on social media, the complaint was lodged by the Town Clerk, and its serious nature was the primary reason for the delay of the scheduled meeting.

The council is now following proper procedures in dealing with the matter, which include officially acknowledging the receipt of the grievance and informing all parties involved.

An internal assessment meeting was hastily convened last night, utilising the time made available by the meeting’s postponement.

All councillors, except those named in the complaint, were invited to participate.

Following this internal review, the council concluded that there is substance to the Clerk’s grievance.

Further steps will now be undertaken to fully address the complaint in line with the council’s established procedures. The Mayor has reassured residents that a new date for the postponed council meeting is being arranged and hopes the swift action will alleviate any concerns regarding the delay.

Grievance sparks division within Neyland Town Council, and residents express concern

The handling of the issue has drawn sharp criticism from local residents, as reflected in comments on the council’s Facebook post.

One resident, Jessica Hatchett, questioned the need for making the matter public, stating, “Grievances are confidential, and nobody needed to know. However, since this complaint has been known about by several people outside the council for several months, I do wonder why it has taken so long to investigate it. It should also be investigated by someone completely impartial, not just uninvolved councillors.” Hatchett further expressed disappointment in the apparent divisions within the council, saying, “At the moment, it is very obvious when you attend meetings that the council is split into groups. It’s a shame.”

Other comments mirrored Hatchett’s concerns about the council’s apparent factionalism. Frank Rowland supported the call for unity, writing, “The council should all be working towards the betterment of Neyland, not pursuing personal vendettas.” Another resident, Steve Thomas, who claims to be a current councillor, highlighted the difficulties faced by some members in their attempts to work for the community. “We shouldn’t have to battle against other Councillors to do what is right for the people of Neyland, but unfortunately that has been the very sorry state of affairs for the last two years,” Thomas stated.

Thomas also defended the timing of the information release, suggesting that the public needed to be aware of behind-the-scenes events. He alleged that the councillors involved in the grievance complaint had been holding a private meeting on the same evening the council meeting was postponed, a move that had raised concerns among some members of the public. “The exclusion of some Councillors now, Councillors who they are desperate to remove from the Council as we are scrutinising wrongdoing, is nothing less than an abuse of power, i.e., corruption,” Thomas claimed.

Amid the growing public debate, there were also legal concerns raised about the manner in which the grievance has been handled. Another commenter, Ian Hatchett, reminded the Mayor of his legal obligation to maintain confidentiality surrounding the identity of individuals involved in a grievance. “My thoughts go out to the clerk,” he added, voicing support for the council employee at the heart of the issue.

The situation has shone a light on what appears to be deeper fractures within Neyland Town Council, with residents and councillors alike calling for an end to internal conflicts in order to better serve the local community.

A new date for the postponed council meeting has yet to be announced, and residents are hoping for a resolution that will allow the council to refocus on issues affecting the town.

All eyes are now on Neyland Town Coucil.

The handling of this grievance could have lasting implications for the unity and effectiveness of the council moving forward.

(Pictured: Neyland’s Mayor, Cllr Peter Hay, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ash Phelan).

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.