News

Meat unfit for human consumption turned into £276,000 worth of ‘smokies’

Published

10 years ago

December 23, 2015

THE OPERATORS of livestock markets in west Wales have been warned by a judge today they are “skirting with the law” if they pretend not to know they are dealing with illegal food traders.

The warning came as Robert Gordon Thomas, 39, was sentenced for blowtorching old sheep fit only for the pet food industry and turning them into £276,000 worth of “smokies.”

Smokies, Swansea Crown Court heard on Wednesday (Dec 23), were considered to be a delicacy by Africans living in London.

Thomas, now of Nant y Croi, Ferwig, near Cardigan, blowtorched the carcases and turned £25 ewes into smokies worth between £80 and £150 each.

Huw Rees, prosecuting, said Thomas had not produced any accounts—not even a single bank account—and “may be hiding his money elsewhere.”

But it was known he had bought sheep that were either old or of poor quality at livestock markets in Dolgellau and Welshpool and may have dealt in up to 2,300 sheep.

He was operating, said Mr Rees, on behalf of Julian Jones, who was wanted for prosecution but who had fled to Columbia in south America.

Judge Paul Thomas said he would found it “unusual and surprising if the markets were not aware of local gossip” about who was involved in the smokies trade.

“If they think they can hide behind a lack of co-operation I hope at some point someone will disabuse them of that notion.

“Those responsible for these markets are skirting with complicity in these offences,” he added.

Mr Rees said the offending took place at Trecagal farm at Bangor Teifi, near Llandysul. The farm was owned by Julian Jones but run by Thomas.

Jones, said Mr Rees, had a long history with smokies and was currently banned from having anything to do with animals.

To get around the ban Jones had needed others to help him.

Environmental health officers who raided the farm found sawn off sheep legs scattered around, even into woods and rivers.

Thomas, said Mr Rees, had supplied Jones with the smokies.

Questioned about the scale of the operation, Thomas had produced either no accounts or only “fanciful” accounts which made it impossible to be sure as to how much profit had been made.

Judge Thomas said he would impose a financial penalty—and respond to a prosecution request for £32,000 in costs—on January 29 by when he expected to see four years of bank accounts. If Thomas did not produce them “I will drew the necessary inferences.”

Mr Rees said Jones had made the most profit, but he was outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Mr Rees said the supply of smokies caused harm to the environment, risked the food poisoning of anyone who ate them, and tarnished the image of honest farmers.

Thomas had been convicted twice before of contravening environmental laws—once for running a private, unlicensed slaughter house and once for burning cars to recover scrap metal.

Huw Rees Davies, representing Thomas, who admitted conspiring with Jones to contravene the 1990 Food Safety Act, said those who ate smokies were not vulnerable and knew what they were eating.

Thomas, he said, had rented Trecagal from Jones and had fallen behind with the rent. To catch up he had agreed to buy sheep for Jones.

Judge Thomas said he had known that he was dealing in smokies, which posed a health hazard and were “wholly unsuitable for human beings.”

He said he accepted that Jones had been the prime mover, but he could not have done it without the connivance of Thomas.

Judge Thomas said he had a history of ignoring laws when it interfered with him making a “fast buck.”

But he would give him “one final chance to stay out of custody.”

Thomas was jailed for 28 weeks, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Judge Thomas said he would deal with the financial consequences of his offending on January 29.

News

Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire

Published

30 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected

COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe weather after the Met Office issued an amber “danger to life” warning for heavy rain, covering the county from 4:00am to 9:00pm on Monday (Dec 15).

Up to 80mm of rain is expected widely, with 100mm possible on higher ground in north Pembrokeshire and the Preseli foothills. With rivers already running high following weeks of persistent wet weather, Natural Resources Wales says there is a heightened risk of flooding in low-lying areas, including parts of Haverfordwest, Remington Bridge, Merlin’s Bridge, Tenby, Neyland and along the Western Cleddau.

Travel disruption likely

The Met Office warns that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life, with road flooding likely on key Pembrokeshire routes such as the A40, A487 and A478. Bus and rail services may face disruption.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers would be monitoring known flood hotspots throughout Monday and urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel during the worst of the downpours.

A police spokesperson said: “Please plan ahead. Do not risk driving through floodwater. Conditions may change very quickly.”

Yellow warnings already in place

A yellow rain warning is active for southwest Wales from midnight tonight (Sun 14 Dec). A separate yellow warning for mid and north Wales began this afternoon.

Pembrokeshire County Council said its highways and emergency planning teams are on standby, with extra staff monitoring river gauges and drainage across the county. Sandbags are available where required.

Residents urged to prepare

Natural Resources Wales is advising residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions today, including:

Checking local flood alerts
Moving valuables upstairs where possible
Securing outdoor items against strong winds
Checking on vulnerable neighbours

The Herald understands that emergency services expect the heaviest rainfall between 6:00am and 3:00pm on Monday, with further unsettled weather forecast later in the week.

More updates to follow

This is a developing story. The Pembrokeshire Herald will bring live updates as information comes in from the Met Office, NRW, PCC and emergency services.

Health

Major investment confirmed for GP services in Wales

Published

1 hour ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Government unveils £41m boost, but practices warn pressures remain acute

MORE than £41m in extra funding will go into general practice in Wales this year following a new agreement between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and GP leaders. Ministers say the deal provides stability at a time of rising demand — but the settlement comes against a backdrop of sustained pressures, recruitment challenges and concerns over patient access.

The package includes a 4% uplift to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract for 2025-26, in line with independent DDRB pay recommendations, and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent uplift from 2026-27. The Welsh Government says the multi-year commitment will allow practices to plan ahead, modernise systems and strengthen community-based services.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the investment showed an “unwavering commitment” to general practice, adding: “The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice staff who work tirelessly to deliver care for communities across our country. Multi-year funding gives practices the confidence to invest in the transformation primary care needs.”

However, the announcement comes at a time when many Welsh practices continue to report severe workforce pressures, rising demand, and longstanding challenges in recruiting new partners. GP numbers have fallen over the past decade, with some practices handing back contracts or operating list closures because of unsustainable workloads. Patient satisfaction with access has also declined, according to the latest Welsh GP Patient Survey.

What the deal includes

The settlement for 2025-26 comprises £37.9m of new investment and £4m in re-invested capacity funding, with the key elements including:

A 1.77% uplift in expenses, intended to help practices manage inflationary pressures in energy, staffing and running costs.
A recurrent £20m stabilisation fund to support practices facing immediate operational pressures and to prepare for wider reform under the incoming Sustainable Farming Scheme model for health.
An increased partnership premium, aimed at retaining experienced GPs and encouraging new partners into a model that some say has become less attractive due to financial and regulatory risk.
A full review of the GMS allocation formula — the first in more than 20 years — which determines how funding is distributed between practices. Some rural and deprived communities have long argued the current system does not reflect the complexity of local health needs.

Wider context

General practice remains the foundation of the NHS, accounting for around 90% of patient contacts, yet it receives a proportionally small share of the overall health budget compared with hospital services. Both the Welsh NHS Confederation and GPC Wales have repeatedly warned that without sustained investment, primary care risks being unable to meet increasing demand from ageing populations and rising chronic illness.

The Welsh Government’s own “community-by-design” programme relies on shifting more care closer to home, reducing pressure on emergency departments and supporting earlier intervention. For that to be achieved, GP leaders say investment needs to be matched with workforce expansion, improved digital systems, and clear strategies to retain experienced clinicians.

Working groups will now be set up to examine access standards, diabetes prevention and new service models.

Mr Miles said he was pleased that GPs would be “actively contributing to creating innovative care models that enhance access, improve outcomes and deliver care locally.”

GP representatives broadly welcomed the deal but have stressed that it is only one step in addressing the scale of challenge across primary care.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)