News

Rare starfish protected after shipwreck

Published

10 years ago

December 30, 2015

Sarah-Jane Absalom

CKS

A SPOKESMAN for Natural Resources Wales has praised NRW and other agencies for their handling of a fishing boat which sank near a Special Area of Conservation, threatening an extremely rare starfish. The crabbing boat CKS hit rocks near Sheep Island on October 28. The collision caused a 2-3 metre gash below the port side of the boat, which meant the crew of 5 had to abandon the ship and be taken to shore by Angle Lifeboat.

Over the next few days the owners attempted to salvage the vessel but were unsuccessful. The ship sank off the south point of West Angle beach and was completely submerged at high water. The vessel posed a big risk to shipping so the insurers and The Port of Milford Haven appointed Braemar Howells, a local specialist company, to salvage the wreckage. The sa yl ors had a choice between towing the boat to Pembroke Dock or beaching it at West Angle and dismantling it there. Both these options required refloating the vessel. Because of the deterioration of the ship there was too much risk of losing control in the shipping channel from towing, so the beaching option was chosen.

Whilst this was the better option for salvaging the vessel it posed serious challenges for NRW because of how close a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) was and the potential impact from pollution to the Asterina phylactica, a tiny cushion starfish. It took several days for divers to attach straps and flotation bags; the vessel was raised on Friday 6th and towed into West Angle on the high tide. Robert Phillips, Pembrokeshire Natural Resources Manager, for NRW, said: “Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents can happen from time to time but it’s very important we do what we can to protect the immediate environment when they do.

“This incident was handled very successfully by NRW, we managed to minimise the potential pollution as well as avoid any damage to the SAC. “The starfish colony is one of two in Wales and one of only 6 in the UK so it’s great that our work helped ensure this one was unaffected.” Dismantling began on the morning of November 7. The ship was taken apart in sections that were loaded onto tractors and trailers headed for the waste segregation compound set up in the beach car park. The larger sections of the ship were dragged above the high tide line so that continuous dismantling wasn’t a problem. Thanks to this the vessel was moved from the beach to the compound within 12 hours.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.