Crime

Whitland man guilty of 17 offences relating to farm and domestic animals

Published

5 months ago

December 12, 2025

A FARM operator from Whitland has been imprisoned for 18 weeks for 17 offences involving domestic and agricultural animals. This includes causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering (Animal Welfare Act 2006)’ and follows a three-day trial at Llanelli Magistrates Court.

Thomas Raymond Jones of Penygraig Farm, Whitland, was also ordered to pay £26,805.10 in prosecution costs in full within 6 months and a surcharge of £154. He has received a disqualification order, which bans him from owning and keeping animals for 10 years and has received a deprivation order which removes all animals from his control.

Mr Jones was found guilty of all offences that he had not already plead guilty to. These related to his care and management of cattle and a dog following investigations by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Welfare Team and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. This was sparked by an anonymous complaint regarding a cow carcass that has not been properly disposed of.

During their visit in February 2024, Animal Health Officers discovered cattle being kept in poor living conditions which included no dry lying areas, poor quality/inedible forage provided and a number of animals suffering from lameness/overgrown hooves and skin conditions. Animal carcasses had also not been properly disposed of.

An elderly dog was also discovered living in unsuitable conditions, being kept within a small, bramble filled enclosure littered with rubbish. The dog was in a poor condition and required immediate veterinary attention which was sought by the team. A local Animal Charity collected the dog.

On veterinary examination, the dog was found to be underweight, blind with mature bilateral cataracts, had overgrown nails and suffering from a penile prolapse alongside other conditions. Due to the level of suffering, the decision was taken for the dog to be put to sleep.

Following the visit, an Improvement Notice and Animal By-Product Notice was issued which required Mr Jones to dispose of a cow carcass within a shed and improve conditions.

A return visit 9 days later revealed that sufficient improvements had not been made in line with the Notice, with no veterinary attention sought for the cattle with lameness/skin conditions and animal remains not being properly cleared. Mr Jones had attempted to treat the cattle himself and arranged a hoof trimmer to visit the farm, however the products used appeared to be old and veterinary attendance was noted as a requirement in the Improvement Notice. A pregnant cow was also found lame and living in unsuitable conditions.

Following a visit from Mr Jones’s vet and the Rural Inspectorate of Wales (RIW), a number of cattle were found without ear tags, improperly registered or unregistered. Due to the volume of errors, the RIW placed a whole herd restriction on Penygraig Farm until the issues could be resolved. Six cows were also identified as thin and two as very thin.

Nearly five weeks later, further complaints were received regarding a calf carcass not being properly disposed of.

Animal Health Officers previously visited Penygraig Farm in 2022, following complaints of animal carcasses not being properly disposed of. During the visit Officers also witnessed cattle being kept in poor conditions, cattle without tags and animals not registered as well as animal by-product offences. Notices/warnings were issued to Mr Jones to improve practices. The same offences were then committed in 2024.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Animal Welfare said:

“I’m pleased that once again the hard work of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Welfare Team’s has provided a positive result with regards this case. I hope this serves as a reminder that we will always advocate for good animal welfare and hold those who do not accountable for their actions.”

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

11 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

13 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

13 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.