Crime

Drunken assault in Pembroke leaves victim with fractured jaw

Published

10 months ago

May 16, 2025

A NIGHT out in Pembroke turned violent just before Christmas last year when a man attacked another reveller, leaving him with a broken jaw.

Brandon Williamson, 24, of Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm following the incident.

The court was told that the assault took place in the early hours of December 23, 2023, outside the Out nightclub. The victim and his friends had been leaving the venue around 3:00am when they encountered Williamson’s group standing near the exit. A remark made in passing sparked an altercation, prompting security staff to intervene quickly and separate those involved.

Moments later, the victim was seen speaking with doormen near the entrance to The Castle Inn when Williamson pointed him out, then suddenly ran towards him and struck him in the face. Blood poured from the victim’s mouth, and he and his friends attempted to leave the area.

However, Williamson and his brother followed, leading to another confrontation further up the street.

In a twist, Williamson himself attended Withybush Hospital three days later, where it was confirmed he had also sustained a fractured jaw during the scuffle. His mother later reported the incident online, and he was arrested on August 17, 2024, at his partner’s home.

Although police had identified Williamson early in the investigation, delays in securing medical reports contributed to the case taking months to reach court.

While Williamson had no previous convictions, the court heard he had received police cautions in the past for drug possession and a separate incident of actual bodily harm which took place after the nightclub assault.

In mitigation, defence solicitor Stuart John said Williamson had been honest about his actions from the outset and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He acknowledged that alcohol had played a significant role in his client’s behaviour and told the court Williamson had since stopped drinking entirely.

Judge Catherine Richards told Williamson he was fortunate not to be facing more severe charges, warning that similar cases had ended in tragedy for others.

“You’ve been lucky,” she said. “This is your warning.”

Williamson received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, complete a 120-day alcohol abstinence programme with monitoring, and attend 25 rehabilitation sessions.

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.

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.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

11 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.