Crime

Leaked messages reveal shocking culture at HMP Parc amid misconduct probe

Published

12 months ago

April 1, 2025

The facility houses many prisoners from Pembrokeshire, and is the largest jail in Wales

A SERIES of leaked messages obtained by The Herald have revealed a toxic culture among some staff at HMP Parc, with officers joking about violence, mocking self-harm, and admitting to skipping duties — as multiple investigations into serious misconduct continue at the privately-run Bridgend prison.

***Parc Prison, Bridgend (Pic: Herald)***

The leaked text and social media messages, exchanged between officers and ex-colleagues, include disturbing references to physical assaults on inmates, deliberate provocation of prisoners, and a callous disregard for vulnerable individuals.

In one message, an officer boasts: “I punched f*** into him after he bit me… he threw his food tray in Leah’s face so I dropped him.”

Other exchanges appear to show staff encouraging each other to push inmates into confrontation. One officer writes: “Let’s push him to go tomorrow so we can drop him,” followed by: “Big time, f*** him off.”

In another, officers make light of suicide risks. One message reads: “He’ll tie a bag around his neck,” with a response: “Too much paperwork.” Another adds: “Don’t have to do paperwork if you pretend not to see it.”

The language throughout is crude, dehumanising, and laced with jokes about violence. In one thread, staff describe an inmate with serious mental health issues as “crackhead Jesus,” and another talks about a prisoner who had slit his wrists, calling him a “daft c***” and suggesting he should be “in a lonnie bin.”

The leaks come as it is confirmed that a total of ten officers at HMP Parc have now been arrested since September 2024 as part of a major police swoop on the prison.

In a statement to The Herald, South Wales Police confirmed:

“South Wales Police arrested four people on Friday September 20, 2024, on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office following reports of a series of incidents at HMP Parc.
All four have been released without charge following their arrests in September.”

“An additional arrest phase took place in January 2025.
Those arrested during the second phase are a 35-year-old man from Bridgend; a 40-year-old man from Swansea; a 38-year-old man from Barry; a 50-year-old man from Taibach; and a 23-year-old woman from Cardiff — all of whom have been bailed for further enquiries until the end of April 2025.
A 36-year-old man from Llanelli has been released under investigation.”

***Prison officers prepare to enter a cell during a training exercise. (File image)***

Detective Chief Inspector Dean Taylor said: “The investigation remains ongoing, and officers are continuing to work closely with G4S.”

G4S, which runs HMP Parc, issued the following statement: “We are aware a decision has been made not to proceed further with a number of initial cases. It is not appropriate for us to comment on other cases which are ongoing, but we will continue to support police colleagues.”

This week, The Herald also revealed police are separately investigating the alleged sexual assault of a young inmate on X1 Wing, who was reportedly coerced and scalded. Advocacy groups have described the incident as a “catastrophic failure” of the prison’s safeguarding procedures.

HMP Parc has also recorded at least eight inmate deaths in the past 12 months, with several suspected to be linked to drugs or suicide. Campaigners say the leaked messages now confirm the culture of neglect and violence that whistleblowers have warned about for years.

“This is more than misconduct — it’s cruelty, covered up and normalised,” said a campaigner for prisoner rights. “The public deserves answers, and the victims deserve justice.”

The Ministry of Justice’s anti-corruption unit is supporting the ongoing police investigation.

Parc, the largest prison in Wales, is one of the few in the UK operated by a private firm. It has faced growing calls for an independent inquiry into its operation, following riots, staffing failures, and the replacement of its director last year.

Crime

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

Published

14 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

15 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

15 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.