News
Police and grieving family warn drivers after fatal crash on A458
“Don’t ignore the signs,” say officers after pensioner killed in head-on collision
POLICE and the family of a woman killed in a crash on the A458 near Middletown have issued a joint plea to drivers, warning them not to ignore road safety signs after a motorist was jailed for causing her death.
Margaret Lee, a well-known local pensioner, died in November 2023 after a head-on collision with a car that had overtaken a bus on a blind stretch of road. The driver, Matthew Parrott, ignored solid white lines and hidden dip warnings before colliding with Mrs Lee’s vehicle. He has since been sentenced to three years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.
In the wake of the sentencing, Dyfed-Powys Police have released dashcam footage of the collision and issued a renewed call for caution on the road, where dangerous overtaking continues to be reported.
Sergeant Rob Hamer from the force’s serious collision investigation unit said: “This was a preventable tragedy. Margaret Lee had simply gone out to buy her morning newspaper. She never made it home.
“Matthew Parrott’s decision to overtake without full visibility of the road ahead cost a life. What is deeply concerning is that we now have further evidence of similar dangerous manoeuvres happening on the same stretch of road. We fear another serious or fatal incident is only a matter of time.”
Police have conducted site visits and are working with partner agencies to assess whether changes to the road layout are needed. However, they say the biggest danger remains driver behaviour.
“The road already has clear warnings in place,” said Sgt Hamer. “These include double solid white lines, signs for hidden dips, a 50mph speed limit, red warning markings and surface grip improvements. But some drivers are still taking reckless risks.”
He added: “We urge motorists to think again before overtaking. If you can’t clearly see it’s safe, don’t do it. One bad decision can destroy lives.”
Mrs Lee’s family have echoed the appeal: “We urge people to drive carefully, especially on this road. We don’t want any other family to go through what we have.”
Crime
Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach
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
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
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.
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