Crime

Hope for John Cooper as DNA clears man jailed in 1987

Published

10 months ago

May 13, 2025

Breakthrough in UK’s longest miscarriage of justice highlights power of new forensic science

A MAN jailed for a brutal murder 38 years ago has today walked free from court after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction—offering renewed hope to others claiming wrongful imprisonment, including Pembrokeshire’s most notorious inmate, John Cooper.

**Cleared after 38 years: Peter Sullivan , was convicted in 1987**

Peter Sullivan, now 68, was convicted in 1987 of the rape and murder of 21-year-old barmaid Diane Sindall, who was attacked while walking home from work in Birkenhead. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout, Sullivan spent nearly four decades behind bars—until new forensic testing revealed DNA from an unknown man on preserved crime scene samples.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred the case back to the Court of Appeal last year, and today (May 13), judges ruled that the fresh evidence completely undermined the original conviction.

Sullivan’s case is now believed to be the longest-known miscarriage of justice involving a living prisoner in British legal history.

The ruling highlights the growing role that advances in DNA science are playing in overturning unsafe convictions. It also raises serious questions about other historic cases—including that of John Cooper, who is currently serving a whole-life sentence for the 1985 murders of Richard and Helen Thomas in Scoveston Park and the 1989 killings of Gwenda and Peter Dixon near Little Haven.

Cooper’s 2011 conviction relied heavily on DNA and forensic evidence—particularly fibres and trace DNA allegedly linking him to the crime scenes years after the murders occurred. Advances in forensic science were hailed at the time for cracking the cold cases, but serious questions have since been raised about the handling and interpretation of that evidence. Critics argue that crucial items were poorly stored, contaminated, or even cross-referenced between unrelated cases, with incomplete exhibit logs and inconsistencies in how samples were managed. There are also concerns that some forensic results were presented to the jury with greater certainty than the underlying science could justify, potentially prejudicing the verdict.

Cooper’s legal team submitted a detailed appeal dossier to the CCRC in 2023.

The case is now under formal review.

Concerns raised include missing or contaminated forensic samples, questionable police procedures, and the alleged mixing of evidence from unrelated cases.

One of the team supporting cooper in his fight to get his name cleared said: “If there was nothing in it, the case would have been rejected already.”

He added that the Peter Sullivan ruling shows how persistent investigation and modern science can uncover serious flaws in past prosecutions.

While Cooper remains behind bars, the momentum from today’s decision may shift public and legal focus back to the unresolved questions surrounding his case.

Crime

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

Published

5 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

6 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

7 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.