Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after officers injured in police station attack

Published

1 year ago

February 2, 2025

JUST before 7:00pm on Friday (Jan 31), a man attacked police vehicles outside Talbot Green Police Station before being confronted by officers. During the violent struggle, three officers were injured. Two were taken to hospital for treatment and have since been discharged.

The suspect, 27-year-old Alexander Stephen Dighton from Llantrisant, has been charged with seven offences and is due to appear at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Feb 3) at 10:00am. His charges include:

Attempted murder
Assault of an emergency worker
Assault
Arson
Criminal damage
Possession of an offensive weapon
Possession of a knife/bladed article

Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones said: “I wish to thank the local community and the wider public for their support and concern for the officers involved. Our officers showed great bravery and quick thinking during the altercation. Despite being understandably shaken, I am very glad to report that none of the officers involved sustained any major injuries.”

Large police presence at the scene

Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police presence in Talbot Green on Friday night. A staff member at La Luna restaurant, who asked not to be named, said they were told to stay inside as around 20 police vehicles arrived at the scene.

Videos shared online showed police cars lining the street, with blue lights illuminating the area. Dawn Latcham, who was in Talbot Green with her granddaughter, described seeing multiple police vehicles rushing past. “The police were keeping everyone at bay, but the whole of Talbot Green was lit up with blue lights,” she said.

Mohamad Osama, who works at local takeaway The Filling Station, said police arrived around 6:45pm and soon closed the road. “There are three vans outside now and a couple of police officers talking together,” he said. “The road is closed and they are not allowing anyone through.”

Public reassured following attack

Local MP Alex Davies-Jones, a minister in the Ministry of Justice, expressed her concern for the injured officers and their families. “I am reassured that the police are doing everything they can and continue to work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe,” she said, urging people to avoid the area.

Local councillor Sarah Jane Davies acknowledged the public’s concern. “I understand this situation is causing anxiety, and I am seeking updates,” she said, urging residents to remain calm and vigilant.

Police confirmed that Talbot Road was closed in both directions following the attack. Coach company Stagecoach Wales announced it was unable to serve Talbot Green due to the ongoing police incident.

Chief Superintendent Jones confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages. “Currently, the motive for this attack is unclear,” he said. “We are working to understand the full circumstances, but at this stage, it appears to be a targeted attack on the police.”

Crime

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

Published

18 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.

Crime

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

Published

19 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.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

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.