Crime

Carmarthen mother carried out £94,000 benefit fraud over five years

Published

9 months ago

September 13, 2025

A CARMARTHEN woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence after falsely claiming almost £94,000 in benefits she was no longer entitled to.

Dawn Hopkins, aged 44, continued to receive income support, carer’s allowance, child tax credits and housing benefit for years after her son was taken into local authority care in 2018. Swansea Crown Court heard she failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions, HMRC or Carmarthenshire Council of the change in circumstances, and carried on claiming until 2023.

The prosecution said her original claims had been legitimate, but once her son was no longer living with her, she deliberately chose not to declare it. Over a five-year period, she received overpayments totalling £93,838 – made up of around £40,000 in income support, £31,000 in tax credits, £20,000 in carer’s allowance and £3,000 in housing benefit.

Hopkins was interviewed in February 2024 after officials received information about her situation. She told investigators she thought social services should have informed her of the rules, and claimed she did not realise she was responsible for reporting the change.

Defence barrister Hannah George said Hopkins had “buried her head in the sand” and accepted she had acted wrongly. She told the court her client was remorseful and had no previous convictions.

Judge Geraint Walters described the fraud as “flagrant, clear and deliberate,” calling Hopkins’ behaviour “disgraceful.” He told her: “The public are not impressed by spongers who dupe the state when resources are so limited.” He went on to remark that “every bone in my body tells me this woman should go to prison,” but explained that the sentencing guidelines prevented him from doing so.

The judge added that Britain had become a country where “people think they are entitled to everything and responsible for nothing,” warning that such crimes damage public confidence in the benefits system.

Taking into account Hopkins’ early guilty plea to four counts of failing to notify a change in circumstances, the judge imposed a 10-month prison term, suspended for two years. She must also complete a rehabilitation programme and a mental health treatment requirement.

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

51 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Crime

Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.

Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.

The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.

The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.

After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

He will now be brought before the court once located by police.

Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.

Crime

Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store

Published

3 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.

Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.

The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.

Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.