Illegal cockle harvesting took place at Three Rivers fishery

A SWANSEA man has been fined after admitting illegally fishing for cockles from a closed cockle bed, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday (Feb 5).

Richard William Edwards, 44, of Fernhill Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, pleaded guilty to fishing for or taking cockles from a closed cockle bed at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery in Llansteffan and Llanybri, Carmarthenshire on May 21, 2025.

The offence was committed in contravention of restrictions imposed under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024. The court was told that the closure was in place at the time to protect the fishery.

Magistrates fined Mr Edwards £1,000. He was also ordered to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £400 in prosecution costs.

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.