Crime

Owner sentenced after Shetland ponies found in poor condition —one died

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

A WEST WALES man has been sentenced after two Shetland ponies—one dead and one alive—were found in a severely poor body condition.

Stephen Edward Griffiths (born 12 December 1962), of Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 13) for sentencing after pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard that Griffiths caused unnecessary suffering to a male Shetland pony by failing to investigate and address its poor body condition. He was also convicted of failing to ensure the needs of two ponies—a female grey Shetland and a male skewbald Shetland—by not providing a suitable environment, adequate diet, or treatment for rain scald and lice infestation.

Griffiths was sentenced to a 16-week prison term for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for two years. He was also disqualified from keeping equines for 10 years, given a one-year community order, ordered to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and told to pay £250 in costs. The court heard he was remorseful.

RSPCA investigation

RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben visited the location on June 18 last year following concerns raised about the welfare of two Shetland ponies.

“When I arrived, I observed a dead grey Shetland pony in thin condition with hair loss. A chain was attached to a collar around its neck but not secured to anything at the other end,” he said.

Nearby was a skewbald Shetland pony in an emaciated state. Its spine and ribs were clearly visible, and it had a skin condition. The pony had been sprayed with purple spray and was tethered by a chain to a tree.

A bucket of water was found near the pony, but the caller who alerted the RSPCA had placed it there.

Griffiths told Inspector Hogben that the grey Shetland pony had been dead for a few days but he had been unable to move the body due to a broken tractor. He also claimed he had only had the ponies for a few months and had rescued the skewbald pony from Cross Hands.

Veterinary findings

An equine vet attended and deemed the skewbald pony fit to travel. It was later signed over into RSPCA care.

In a witness statement, the vet described the skewbald Shetland stallion as being in very poor condition, tethered on a short chain of approximately eight feet.

“He had very limited access to forage due to the tether, and the available space was well grazed. He also had a severe lice infestation,” the vet said. The pony was given a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.

The dead grey Shetland mare was also in extremely poor condition, with a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.

“Her spine and spinous processes were protruding, her ribs were clearly visible despite her long coat, and her pelvis was skeletal. She had been dead for several days,” the vet reported.

Rescue and recovery

The male Shetland pony, later named Groovy Bob, has since recovered following veterinary treatment and has been rehomed by the RSPCA.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.