Crime

Woman glued herself to hospital entrance in protest over partner’s detention

Published

8 months ago

July 22, 2025

A 57-YEAR-OLD woman has admitted causing serious disruption at Withybush Hospital after gluing herself to the ground near the main entrance in protest at the detention of her partner by hospital staff.

Pink Realm, from Nelson Avenue in Milford Haven, staged the protest on July 7 after becoming distressed at the hospital’s decision to keep her partner, who had originally been admitted for treatment for a bladder infection.

Speaking at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, Realm said: “At the time, I simply didn’t realise that it was a criminal offence. My partner had no voice, and I couldn’t even comprehend what was going through her mind or her heart.”

The court heard that Realm’s partner, who has dementia, had initially been admitted for a short-term stay following a GP referral. However, without consultation, she was later moved to the hospital’s fragile unit.

“It was originally recommended that her partner would go to Withybush Hospital for 24 hours, but over time she was moved to the fragile unit,” explained Realm’s solicitor, Mike Kelleher.

“But Pink Realm held power of attorney and should have been informed. She has now been told her partner is being transferred to a care home — again, with no consultation. She isn’t even being allowed to visit her.”

The incident escalated when Realm glued herself to the ground outside the hospital in protest, resulting in significant disruption.

She pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance by attaching herself to land at Withybush General Hospital.

Addressing the court, she apologised for her actions and assured District Judge Mark Layton she would not reoffend.

“I’m a trans person and a rainbow person and now I simply want to go back to the shadows,” she said. “I don’t like being here, because these are two different worlds. I see bombs, bullets, people screaming, and it makes me think, ‘Why do we do it?’”

Judge Layton imposed a conditional discharge for three years.

“I understand it was a difficult and worrying time,” he said. “You maintain you were being kept in the dark and this was very frustrating and alarming.

“But when people protest in the front area of a hospital and glue themselves to the floor where they can be seen by others, it becomes a very serious charge.”

Pink Realm was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Crime

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

Published

7 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

8 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

9 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.