Crime

Man trapped wild goldfinches to sell, court hears

Published

2 months ago

June 9, 2026

Birds found in poor condition after being taken from natural habitat

A KILGETTY man deliberately trapped wild goldfinches using a decoy system with the intention of selling them, a court has heard.

When officers from the RSPCA discovered the birds at aviaries in The Glebe, Tenby, Colwyn Robert Probert allegedly told them to “shove the birds up your bum” after being informed the animals would be released back into the wild.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Probert, 38, of Kingsmoor Common, Kilgetty, had trapped the birds in their natural habitat using decoy birds and wild seed.

Lindi Meyer, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: “Thirteen goldfinches had been taken from the wild after the defendant set up traps with decoy birds and wild seed.”

The court heard that when RSPCA officers inspected the birds, many were struggling to adapt to captivity.

Ms Meyer said: “The birds were finding it difficult to adapt to a confined environment, having been captured in the wild. They were clinging to the bars of the cages, they were unsteady on the perches and they had dark coloured legs, which are characteristic of wild birds.”

The prosecutor added that two of the cages were too small, some of the birds had dirty tails and damaged wing feathers, while broken swings were also found inside the aviaries.

“Two of them were underweight and their water was dirty,” she said.

The court heard that after officers informed Probert the birds would be returned to their natural habitat, he responded: “You can shove them up your bum if you want to.”

A subsequent search of Probert’s property failed to uncover any documentation showing the birds had been obtained legally.

Probert pleaded guilty to intentionally taking goldfinches from the wild, possessing thirteen wild goldfinches contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, attempting to take birds from the wild, and failing to ensure the welfare needs of the birds were met.

“This was clearly a disregard for wildlife and had been pre-planned,” Ms Meyer told the court. “We also believe there was a commercial element involved.”

The court was told Probert had previously been convicted in 2010 for similar offences involving the trapping and keeping of wild birds.

Given the seriousness of the offences, District Judge Mark Layton ordered a full probation report before sentencing.

Probert was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 30).

Crime

Driver sentenced for cannabis offences on Cleddau Bridge and in Wolverhampton

Published

7 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOLVERHAMPTON motorist has been disqualified from driving after admitting two separate cannabis-driving offences, including one on the Cleddau Bridge.

Doel Lyons appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first offence took place on December 22, 2025, when Lyons drove a Honda Civic along the A477 Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock.

A blood test showed seven micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, per litre of blood.

The second offence occurred on March 30 this year, when Lyons drove the same Honda Civic along Tithe Croft in Wolverhampton with cannabis in his blood above the legal limit.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving disqualification for each offence and fined Lyons £233 on each charge.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs in relation to each conviction.

The court register does not specify whether the two periods of disqualification are to run concurrently.

Separate allegations that Lyons drove another vehicle while over the cannabis limit and without insurance in Staffordshire in September 2025 remain outstanding.

No pleas have been entered to those charges, which were adjourned for a plea hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on July 29.

Crime

Pembrokeshire teenager given referral order after shoplifting spree

Published

7 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE teenager has been given a 12-month referral order after admitting a string of shop thefts and damaging a police vehicle.

The youth appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where guilty pleas were entered to 11 theft offences committed between April and June.

The offences involved shops in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Neyland, with alcohol targeted in the majority of the incidents.

Items stolen included BuzzBall alcoholic drinks, vodka, cans of Red Bull, crisps, chewing gum and a sandwich.

The court heard that several of the thefts took place at retail parks in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, while others occurred at stores in Neyland and Milford Haven town centre.

The individual also admitted causing £180 worth of damage to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle in Neyland on June 26.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month referral order, which will require the teenager to work with the Pembrokeshire Youth Offending Team and comply with a contract agreed with a youth offender panel.

Compensation totalling £336.77 was ordered in relation to the stolen property and damage to the police vehicle. The teenager’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

The court imposed reporting restrictions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Nothing may be published which could identify the youth.

Crime

Murder investigation launched into death of Pembrokeshire man in 1991

Published

1 day ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.