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Crime

IPOC investigating after Haverfordwest woman claims unlawful arrest

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A HAVERFORDWEST woman who was acquitted in Swansea Crown Court of charges relating to the assault of a police officer and damage to police equipment now wants to take her own legal action.

She has spoken out after her ordeal at being arrested, thrown into a police van and dragged to court – something which is now being looked into by the IOPC.

Sally Nolan, 51, of Three Meadows, faced accusations of criminal damage and assault by beating of an emergency worker after an incident in Haverfordwest on January 22.

She had called the police asking for help with one of her children but when officers arrived things got heated quickly, and voices were raised.

Nolan was arrested, and it was alleged that Nolan caused £21 worth of damage to a pair of handcuffs before assaulting a police officer.

She denied the charges and was initially set for trial in January at Swansea Crown Court.

However video footage from a police bodycam clearly shows that no assault took place.

Therefore, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was asked to reconsider whether proceeding with the case was in the public interest. During a hearing at Swansea Crown Court on October 22, the prosecution formally offered no evidence on both charges.

This week, Judge Paul Thomas KC entered not guilty verdicts, vacating the trial date and bringing the case to a close.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the verdict had been delivered, Sally Nolan said: “I want the public to know after a call for help because of concerns for the welfare of one of my children, the police arrived at my house. Then it was turned on me, and I ended up being arrested and accused of being a perpetrator of a crime.

“I am innocent and this has been demonstrated in court now that my name has cleared.”

She added: “This case has completely crumbled me, ruined me, and turned my life upside-down.

“I am completely innocent and the police have let me down, and now I no longer trust them. I don’t feel I can ask for help from them again.

“I know they are not all bad but some of them are. I want to move out of Pembrokeshire now and this case has been the last straw.”

The police were asked to comment on this case, and shortly afterwards sent the following statement: “Following an investigation into an incident which occurred in Haverfordwest in January 2024, a charge of assault against a police officer was authorised by the CPS and a trial date was set for the defendant.

“The defendant complained that her arrest was unlawful shortly after. This was investigated by the Dyfed-Powys Police Professional Standards Department (PSD), who determined there was no evidence to substantiate her claims, and that there was a lawful basis for the arrest.

“The defendant was updated of this outcome in July 2024. She has since requested a review by the IOPC, which is ongoing.

“During recent court proceedings, the CPS determined the charges would not be taken any further and the case was closed. It would not be appropriate to comment further while we await the results of the IOPC review.”

 

Crime

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

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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.

 

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Crime

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

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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.

 

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Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

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Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

 

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