Court hears offences relate to failure to ensure regular school attendance

TWO parents have been fined after failing to ensure their child attended school regularly, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard.

The court heard that the offences related to a 12-year-old child of compulsory school age who failed to attend school regularly during the summer term of 2025.

Between May 2 and July 18, 2025, the child did not attend school as required. Both parents entered guilty pleas under the single justice procedure.

Magistrates fined each parent £60. They were also ordered to pay a £24 victim services surcharge and £100 in prosecution costs.

Collection orders were made in both cases, with the outstanding balances to be paid by March 5.

Court hears offences took place at Three Rivers Estuary

A WIRRAL man has been fined thousands of pounds after admitting offences involving illegal cockle fishing and the use of a vehicle on a protected estuary.

Callum Stephen Williams, 27, of Harvest Lane, Moreton, Wirral, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 5) charged with fishing for or taking cockles from a closed cockle bed at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery.

The court heard that the offence took place on May 21, 2025, while restrictions were in force under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024. Mr Williams pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrates fined him £2,000 and ordered him to pay an £800 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with deductions to be taken from benefits if necessary. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was imposed.

The court also dealt with a further offence arising from the same date, in which Mr Williams admitted causing or permitting a mechanically propelled vehicle to be driven on the Three Rivers Estuary without prior written authority. No separate penalty was imposed for that offence.

Multiple offences committed while cockle bed was closed to protect stocks

THREE men have appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 5) after illegally fishing for cockles from a closed cockle bed at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery.

The court heard that Richard William Edwards, 44, of Fernhill Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, admitted fishing for or taking cockles from a closed bed on May 21, 2025. The prohibition was in force under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

Magistrates fined Mr Edwards £1,000 and ordered him to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £400 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with payment due by March 5. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was imposed.

Brogan Morgan Phillips, 19, of Harddfan, Bryn, Llanelli, also pleaded guilty to fishing for cockles from the same closed bed on May 21, 2025. For that offence, he was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a £1,200 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs.

The court also heard that Mr Phillips admitted a further offence at the same location on June 5, 2025. For that offence, magistrates imposed an additional fine of £1,000. A collection order was made, with a total outstanding balance of £5,200 to be paid by instalments.

Ethan Jay Thomas, 19, of Station Road, Bynea, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to fishing for cockles from the closed bed on May 21, 2025. Sentencing for that offence was adjourned.

Mr Thomas denied a second charge relating to an alleged offence on June 5, 2025. That matter was adjourned until March 19, when the case will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for trial. Sentencing in relation to the offence already admitted will also be considered at that hearing.