Crime

Illegal dog breeding ring that sold puppies across Wales sentenced

Published

5 months ago

December 29, 2025

Puppies linked to Cardiff-based breeders netted £640,000 sold to customers in Pembrokeshire, court hears

THREE people who ran a large-scale illegal dog breeding operation that sold puppies across west Wales, including to buyers in Pembrokeshire, have been handed suspended prison sentences after a lengthy investigation uncovered more than £640,000 in unlawful sales.

Paul Xuereb, Samantha Xuereb and Matthew Anderson operated unlicensed dog breeding businesses in Cardiff between 2017 and 2022, deliberately avoiding animal welfare and licensing requirements while breeding and selling hundreds of puppies.

The court heard that the defendants used a network of companies, including Cardiff Canine Supplies Limited and Colour Coded Frenchies Fertility Clinic Ltd, to sell puppies to customers across Wales. The Herald understands that dogs bred as part of the operation were sold to buyers throughout Wales, including Pembrokeshire.

An investigation by Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) found the scale of the breeding operation far exceeded legal limits and involved systematic overbreeding using poor-quality breeding stock. This resulted in puppies being born with congenital defects and raised serious animal welfare concerns.

Paul and Samantha Xuereb were found to have bred 63 litters together, producing 259 puppies and generating more than £459,000 in sales. Matthew Anderson bred 35 litters, producing 159 puppies and earning over £181,000.

The court also heard that the defendants carried out veterinary procedures despite not being registered veterinary surgeons. These included blood testing, artificial insemination and the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines, all of which are tightly regulated under UK law.

Large sums of cash were seized from properties linked to the operation, while bank records revealed the significant income generated from the unlawful businesses over a five-year period.

All three defendants pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including fraudulent trading, breaches of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014, and the illegal possession and supply of veterinary medicines.

At sentencing, Paul Xuereb received a 23-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with ten rehabilitation activity days and 180 hours of unpaid work. Samantha Xuereb was handed a 15-month suspended sentence and ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work. Matthew Anderson received a 12-month suspended sentence with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act are ongoing, with the court expected to consider confiscation of criminal assets at a later date. Further financial penalties remain possible.

Councillor Norma Mackie, Cardiff Council’s cabinet member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services, said the case showed “a clear disregard for the law” and placed animal welfare at serious risk. She said the sentences reflected the seriousness of the offending and should act as a deterrent to others.

Residents with concerns about suspected illegal dog breeding are urged to contact Shared Regulatory Services on 0300 123 6696.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.