Crime

Dog spared destruction order after biting child’s face

Published

6 months ago

October 22, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Magistrates rule pet can return home under strict conditions

A DOG has been spared a destruction order after biting a ten-year-old boy on the face.

The attack left the child with visible teeth marks and cuts, including five puncture wounds between his eyes, nose and right cheek.

“Because of the attack, the child is now very nervous whenever he’s around other dogs,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “There’s also concern that if the dog is allowed home, he’ll hurt someone else.”

The incident took place on October 25, 2024, when the dog – a pet named Taz – was at home with its owner, Bethany Clark, in Wesley Court, Pembroke Dock. The court heard that before the attack, Taz had been sitting quietly in his cage.

“What took place was completely out of character for the dog,” said Clark’s solicitor, Tom Lloyd. “As a result of what happened, the dog was removed from its home and has spent the last 12 months in police kennels, so the defendant has already been punished significantly. Her dog was taken away from her.”

Mr Lloyd questioned why the case had taken so long to reach court, noting that none of the delays were his client’s fault. The Crown confirmed that kennelling costs for Taz over the past year totalled £9,000.

Bethany Clark, aged 29, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury to a child.

After hearing mitigation, magistrates agreed to release the dog under a contingency destruction order. Taz must now be kept on a lead and muzzled in public, never left unattended when others are present, and never left unsupervised around children.

Clark was fined £80 and ordered to pay £250 compensation to the child, £85 in court costs, and a £32 surcharge. Magistrates agreed she should not be required to contribute to the kennelling costs.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.

Crime

Hakin woman handed five-year behaviour order over household waste

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN woman has been made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order after repeated problems involving household waste outside her home.

Marie James, 47, of John Lewis Street, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates after being convicted of offences linked to accumulated rubbish at her address.

The court heard that James had failed to remove all refuse and household waste from 36 John Lewis Street, Hakin, in Milford Haven.

Magistrates imposed a Criminal Behaviour Order which will remain in force for five years.

Under the terms of the order, James must not engage in conduct causing alarm or distress to others within the perimeter of her address in Hakin. She is also prohibited from keeping, storing or accumulating household waste at the property.

The order further prevents her from keeping or storing household waste at an associated address in Milford Haven.

No order for costs was made due to limited means.

James was represented in court by Steve Wrobe