Crime

Whitland woman sentenced after delivery driver savaged by dogs

Published

5 months ago

September 4, 2025

Judge says attack was ‘shocking in the extreme’ as victim left unable to work

A PARCEL courier was left with life-changing injuries after being mauled by three large dogs while delivering to a rural property near Whitland, a court has heard.

The driver, who was working for Yodel at the time, suffered severe injuries to her hand when one of the animals tore through tendons and exposed bone, while the other two bit her around the waist and hips. She required surgery and months of rehabilitation, and the incident has had a lasting effect on both her working life and her farm.

**Three dogs similar to those shown in the photo above were involved in the attack**

Swansea Crown Court was told the attack happened on October 24, 2023, when the driver entered the property of Jennifer Hopkins to deliver a package. There were no visible warning signs on the gate, and she had not heard any barking before walking through.

Prosecutor Harry Dickens said the three Carpathian mountain dogs suddenly appeared as the woman reached the house. As she struggled free and ran back to her van, she called the defendant for help. Hopkins later emerged, at which point “around 20 dogs” ran out of the house. Hopkins told the victim: “People know not to come in.”

The victim was treated at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, where she spent two days undergoing surgery. Complications meant she later needed a second operation in December. In her statement to the court, she explained that she lost her self-employed courier work because of the injury and could no longer run her farm alone, forcing her to pay for outside help.

The court heard the police did not remove the dogs after the attack. Of the three involved, one has since died.

Hopkins, aged 55 and of Blaenwaun, Whitland, admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. The court was told she had bought the property a few months before the incident and was running it as an “animal sanctuary” with around 29 dogs on site.

Her barrister, David Singh, said there had been fencing, warning signs and a delivery box in place, but accepted that they had not been sufficient. Security has since been improved with permanent fencing and a locked gate.

Judge Huw Rees said Hopkins had clearly shown compassion for animals but had failed to protect visitors. He described the attack as “shocking in the extreme” and noted the driver had done nothing wrong. He also criticised the long delay between the incident and charges being brought, describing it as “inexcusable”.

Hopkins was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 12 months. She must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £10,000 in compensation to the victim. Civil proceedings are ongoing with her insurers.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.