Crime

Manchester men deny aggravated burglary after armed raid on dog breeder

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2026

Prosecution says machete-armed gang carried out “carefully planned” attack

TWO men have gone on trial accused of involvement in an aggravated burglary at a Carmarthenshire home where intruders armed with axes and machetes stole £100 and other items.

Mohammed Mills and Michael Quinn deny the charge following the alleged raid at a dog breeder’s property in Garnant on May 29, 2021.

The trial is taking place at Swansea Crown Court.

Opening the prosecution case, Ian Wright told the jury the burglary was “carefully planned and organised” and involved a group of six men, four of whom have already admitted aggravated burglary.

Those who have pleaded guilty are Enrico Poli, 34, of Sale; Josh Whelan, 32, of Manchester; Craig Monaghan, 41, of Latchford; and Bradley Whitaker, 34, of Manchester. The prosecutor stressed that their guilty pleas were not evidence that Mills or Quinn were involved.

Weapons and convoy journey

The court heard a stolen Nissan Juke with cloned number plates travelled in convoy with a Volkswagen T-Roc from Manchester to Garnant on the evening of May 29.

Shortly before 9:00pm, masked men armed with machetes and axes allegedly smashed their way into the home, shouting: “Where’s the money?”

They left minutes later after realising police had been called, taking two £50 notes, a paying-in book and a sanitary towel.

The men then regrouped with Mills, who prosecutors say was driving the Volkswagen, before leaving the area.

Police stop on motorway

Mills was stopped on the M5 near Birmingham at about 11:10pm that night with Poli, Whelan and Whitaker as passengers.

Officers found an orange-handled machete, a balaclava and four pairs of gloves in the vehicle. Another balaclava was discovered concealed in Whitaker’s underwear, the jury heard.

The prosecution said the group had carried out a “dry run” the day before, with Mills allegedly driving them to Garnant and back.

Driver payment claim

In police interview, Mills, 37, of Glastonbury Road, Stretford, said he was paid £350 to drive men to Garnant on May 28 and was offered the same amount to repeat the journey the following day.

“He said he didn’t ask any questions because he was getting paid,” Mr Wright told the court.

Local connection allegation

ANPR cameras captured Quinn, 29, of Maes Y Bedol, Garnant, travelling towards Manchester around the same time, the court heard.

Prosecutors allege Quinn identified the property for the Manchester-based defendants.

Quinn was arrested in Barrow-in-Furness on November 20, 2021. Officers found an iPhone and an orange-handled machete under his bed.

He answered “no comment” to questions during police interviews.

Both men deny the charge.

The trial continues.

Crime

Steynton motorist banned after drink-drive collision

Published

10 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Driver was seen swerving through Milford Haven before hitting traffic barrier

A STEYNTON motorist has lost his licence after being caught driving through Milford Haven while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that at around 2:00am on Saturday (May 10), police received a call from ambulance staff who were concerned about the manner in which a white Kia was being driven in the Milford Haven area.

The vehicle had been seen swerving across the road.

Officers located the Kia as it entered Milford Haven and watched it turn right into Thornton Road, where it collided with a traffic barrier.

The driver identified himself as Jordan Wootton. As officers approached the vehicle, they could smell intoxicants. Wootton was also heard slurring his words, while an open bottle of alcohol was seen inside the vehicle.

Wootton, 28, of Conway Drive, Steynton, was arrested. Subsequent breath tests gave a lowest reading of 59mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Wootton was fined £430 and ordered to pay a £180 surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Crime

Dock man given suspended prison sentence for third drink-drive offence

Published

10 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Disqualified driver was nearly twice the legal limit after being seen driving erratically in Range Rover

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after committing his third drink-driving offence in six years.

Neil Edmundson, 51, was reported to police on May 7 after a motorist saw him driving an orange Range Rover “in an erratic manner” along Lamphey Lodge Lane.

“He was driving towards her at an excessive speed and was driving erratically,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Edmundson was then seen entering a local petrol station, where he was said to smell strongly of alcohol.

He was later stopped by police officers but refused to provide a roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to a police station where he provided a breathalyser reading of 77mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

A police investigation established that Edmundson, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, had already been disqualified from driving following two previous drink-driving convictions in 2020 and 2024.

Appearing before magistrates this week, Edmundson pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without third party insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for five years.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must pay a £154 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Crime

Bulldog left permanently blind after prolonged neglect

Published

10 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A BULLDOG was left permanently blind after suffering prolonged neglect by its owner, a court has heard.

George suffered substantial levels of suffering between July 12 and December 20, 2025, after his owner, Michael McGartland, failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment despite the animal’s significant decline.

McGartland, 70, of The Woodlands, Lower Level, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

District Judge Mark Layton said the seriousness of the offence meant an all-options probation report would be required before sentence.

McGartland will be sentenced on June 23.

He was released on unconditional bail.