Crime

Teenager caught drink-driving twice in five months banned and sentenced

Published

8 months ago

July 15, 2025

A TEENAGER has been banned from the road after being caught drink-driving twice in less than five months.

Leo Tarnovetchi, 18, was first stopped by police on February 17 while driving a Renault Megane along Tanners Lane in Templeton. Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that officers became concerned due to the erratic way he was driving.

“He was swerving into oncoming traffic and exceeding the speed limit,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

A blood test later showed Tarnovetchi had 196 milligrams of alcohol in his system – more than twice the legal limit of 80.

Just four and a half months later, on July 10, Tarnovetchi was again stopped behind the wheel of the same vehicle, this time in Newport, Gwent. Once again, he was found to be over the drink-drive limit.

“He was alone in the car and could barely string a sentence together,” Ms Vaughan told the court.

Probation officer Catrin Jones said Tarnovetchi claimed that, on both occasions, he had been trying to help friends. In February, he had allegedly driven someone to hospital after they self-harmed, and in July, he claimed to be driving a friend to visit a sick aunt.

However, Ms Vaughan disputed this, stating that Tarnovetchi was found alone on both occasions.

Tarnovetchi, of Coachmans Cottage, Westfield Road, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on February 17 and to failing to provide a specimen for analysis following the July incident.

His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, said Tarnovetchi was in urgent need of help.

“This young man needs intervention, and he needs it straight away,” said Mr Lloyd. “When young people like this come before the court, things can really spiral out of control. He desperately needs help, and he knows it.”

Probation officer Catrin Jones agreed, describing Tarnovetchi as someone who is “clearly influenced by peers” and showing signs of “alcohol dependency” at just 18.

Magistrates imposed a 30-month driving ban and sentenced Tarnovetchi to an 18-month community order. He must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and carry out 165 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £170 in costs.

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.