Crime

Cross Hands man bred Dobermanns without licence

Published

12 months ago

July 11, 2025

Council investigation uncovered 87 puppies sold for £218,000 without licence

A CROSS HANDS man has been sentenced after illegally breeding and selling Dobermann puppies without a licence, despite warnings from the local authority.

Michael Watts, 74, of Pontardulais Road, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (June 20) after admitting two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The court heard that Watts ran what was described as “a successful and good business,” breeding at least 87 Dobermann puppies between 2019 and 2023. Prosecutors said he did so without the required licence, advertising dogs online and profiting significantly from the sales.

He was accused of breeding three or more litters in a 12-month period and selling dogs as pets in the course of business, both without holding a proper licence.

Despite being advised by Carmarthenshire County Council about the legal requirements as far back as 2017, Watts only obtained a licence in July 2023—after enforcement action was already under way.

Council prosecutor Ms Griffiths told the court: “There is no suggestion any animals came to harm. This is an issue of excessive breeding and carrying on without a licence.”

Watts had previously been refused a licence after a council inspection in 2022. He was given time to make improvements to comply with conditions but instead challenged aspects of the licence framework.

In mitigation, his barrister Quentin Hunt said: “It was never Mr Watts’ intention to break the law. He prides himself on being an expert in the breeding of Dobermanns.” Mr Hunt criticised the council’s “cookie-cutter” approach, citing a dispute over the requirement that puppies have access to toys—Watts argued Dobermanns would destroy them and potentially choke.

“There was a back and forth between him and the local authority. His failure to get the licence involved nit-picking issues as far as he saw them,” Mr Hunt said, adding: “He should have swallowed his pride.”

At an earlier hearing on May 16, a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) confiscation order was made, with Watts deemed to have benefited by £196,827.63—the same amount he was found to have available. He later attempted to dispute this, saying he had been recently discharged from major surgery at the time of the agreement. Judge Huw Rees rejected the challenge, describing it as “a change of mind” and upheld the full order.

In addition to the POCA amount, Watts was ordered to pay £470 in prosecution costs and a £16 victim surcharge. He was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge.

A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council said the case highlighted the authority’s commitment to animal welfare and warned others: “Those who choose to operate outside the law put animals and the public at risk. We will continue to take strong action against such practices.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.