News

Former serviceman sentenced for brutal Tenby town centre attack

Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2025

PEMBROKESHIRE magistrates have been shown video footage of an unprovoked attack in Tenby town centre where a man was dragged through the streets while being kicked and punched by a former serviceman.

The victim, Christopher Noden, was walking towards the Albany Hotel in the early hours of October 28, 2024, when he was approached by former serviceman Simon Roblin.

“Simon Roblin had come outside to have a cigarette and he approached me about things I hadn’t done,” Mr Noden said in a statement read out to Haverfordwest magistrates earlier this week.

“I knew him and considered him a friend, but he was accusing me of making him feel small earlier that day when we were in the pub. It was completely unprovoked, and I was telling him that I didn’t know what he was talking about.”

But Crown Prosecutor Nia James said that at this point, Roblin started grappling with Mr Noden and pulled him to the floor, where he began kicking and punching him to his face and head.

“I saw stars,” stated Mr Noden.

Hearing the disturbance, the hotel manager came out of the property and pulled Roblin off the victim.

As a result of the assault, Mr Noden sustained bleeding and bruising to his face and jaw.

Meanwhile, probation officer Julie Norman informed the magistrates that at the time of the offence, Roblin, 50, was residing at the Albany Hotel, having been given emergency accommodation after finding himself homeless in December 2023.

“There had been issues between the two of them earlier that evening, and the defendant felt that part of the incident was in self-defence,” said Julie Norman. “But he accepts that he caused [Mr Noden] harm.”

Ms Norman said that Roblin, an ex-serviceman, is currently of no fixed abode and is living in a van.

“He’s an HGV driver by trade and is hoping to start work again soon,” she said. “He came to Pembrokeshire to try and find employment, but that hasn’t happened, and he’s found himself homeless.”

Roblin pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm. He was legally represented by solicitor Leila Williams.

“Both men knew each other as they both lived in emergency accommodation,” she said. “Alcohol was involved, and there was some provocation that happened earlier.

“But the defendant is definitely someone who can be rehabilitated back into the community.”

Roblin was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, during which he must carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Magistrates awarded no compensation to Mr Noden due to Roblin’s limited financial means.

Crime

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

Published

9 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

9 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

10 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.