News
Council obtains forfeiture order on Bramble Hall Farm seized animals
A LARGE number of pigs will be destroyed, some animals transferred intro the custody of charities, and sheep will be sold following a hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court today (Mar 7)
On January 28 and 29, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Animal Health and Welfare Team obtained and executed court warrants at Bramble Hall Farm, Ferry Lane, Pembroke Dock, with the support of other agencies and animal charities. This was covered at the time in The Pembrokeshire Herald both online and in our print edition, with live videos as protestors gathered outside the farm.
Sean and Pamela Burns of Bramble Hall Farm were the respondents in an application by Pembrokeshire County Council for a court order to confiscate the seized animals and sell them on; or destroy them if they were unfit or suffering.
At Haverfordwest court on March 7, an application was made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which Mr Owen had described as “the most draconian of legislation, its only there the purpose of it is to take property away from third parties like me.”
The application for a civil order sought for 20 horses and a donkey to be put in the care of the RSPCA, 50 dogs to the Dogs Trust, 80 sheep and three goats to the local authority to be sold.
The court was told that unfortunately the pigs would have to be destroyed “due to them all having access to animal by-products, presenting a risk to public health if they found their way in to the food supply chain.”
Represented by Aled Owen, the respondents, who had been convicted of illegal dog breeding in 2018, said that the lack of time they had to prepare for the case was “against the principle of natural justice” – but their request for a 7 day adjournment was denied.
The court was told by Rhian Young, representing the council, that dogs were sited in unsanitary and hazardous shed blocks littered with faeces and urine and that puppies alive and dead from a fresh litter were found amongst the dogs’ food.
Members of the public in the gallery were in tears as the evidence was read out.
Miss Young added that horses had little grass for grazing and were forced to eat litter and forage for food on scrap-filled land. She said that the dominant horses were the only ones able to access a solitary bale of hay.
The court was shown a video of the feeding of pigs on the blood and urine-soaked floor. Also found were chained sheep carcasses, with twenty pigs and piglets competing to feed on the carcasses
The Pembrokeshire County Council request for a civil order was granted
Mr Burns was ordered to pay costs of £76,844.29.
After the hearing, a council spokesman said: “We welcome the decision of the magistrates. The order they have made is in the exact terms of the draft order we submitted, including our application for costs.”
The council is continuing to investigate a range of related offences in respect of a number of individuals.
Richard Brown, head of Environmental Services and Public Protection, said: “Please be assured that we are continuing to monitor the welfare of animals that remain on site. Legitimate grounds for believing that the welfare of any animals is compromised will result in further action.”
Despite public animal welfare concerns, Pembrokeshire County Council is unable to prevent any individual from acquiring or keeping animals. Only a court can do that.
If someone has been convicted for an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the court can make an order depriving/disqualifying them from owning, keeping, participating in keeping or controlling or influencing the way animals are kept, transporting or arranging the transportation of animals.
There is nothing stopping animals being brought to a site/kept on site until a disqualification is in place.
News
Hotel was hit during a Luftwaffe bombing raid
THE COMMEMORATION, held on Tuesday (May 12), marked the anniversary of the wartime attack, with members of the community gathering beside a newly installed plaque.
The plaque remembers those who lost their lives when the Pier Hotel suffered a direct hit during an air raid on Pembroke Dock.

A blessing was given by Rev Alex Grace, and the names of those who died were remembered by those in attendance.
The plaque was supplied by the Pembroke Dock Bicentenary Committee and installed as a permanent reminder of the town’s wartime sacrifice.
Pembroke Dock Town Council said it had been “an honour” to be part of the service.
The event brought together civic representatives, clergy, residents and members of the local community, with flowers laid in memory of those killed.

The new plaque reads: “This plaque commemorates those who died when the Pier Hotel suffered a direct hit during a Luftwaffe bombing raid on Pembroke Dock.”
Caption: Remembered: The service in Pembroke Dock marked the anniversary of the bombing of the Pier Hotel, with a new plaque supplied by the Bicentenary Committee.
Crime
Former bishop jailed for child sex offences as police appeal for more victims
POLICE are appealing for further victim-survivors to come forward after a former Bishop of Swansea and Brecon was jailed for multiple child sex offences.
Anthony Pierce, 85, of Swansea Vale, pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court to five counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 16.
He was sentenced to four years and one month in prison.
Pierce will be placed on the sex offenders register for life and will be made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on his release.

South Wales Police said that, since his sentencing, three further reports of offences dating back to the 1970s and 1980s have been received and are now under investigation.
Detective Inspector Tom Richardson, of Swansea CID, said officers believed there may be other people who were subjected to Pierce’s offending.
He said: “We know how difficult it must be for anyone to have suffered abuse in the past to come forward now.
“It was the bravery of the victim who reported Pierce’s actions which was instrumental in bringing him to justice.
“Since the conviction and sentencing of Pierce we have received reports from three people who have taken that first step in coming forward.
“We believe that there may be others who have been subject to Pierce’s crimes and we want to provide reassurance that any reports will be fully investigated and dealt with sensitively and with compassion.
“We recognise that coming forward can be daunting but would encourage victim-survivors to speak with us so they can get the support and help they deserve.”
Anyone with information, or anyone who believes they may have been a victim, is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 2600140999.
Support and information about reporting sexual offences is available through South Wales Police.
Crime
Jealous Milford Haven man smashed ex-partner’s phone and family photos
A MILFORD HAVEN man who smashed his girlfriend’s phone and damaged framed family photographs after wrongly accusing her of being unfaithful has been sentenced by Swansea Crown Court.
Adam Davies, 34, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of criminal damage following a trial.
He had denied the offences and was cleared of intentional strangulation and assault by beating.
The court heard that Davies’ relationship with the complainant had begun to break down in June 2024, when he believed she was having an affair. The allegation was denied by the woman.
Recorder Simon Hughes, sentencing, said Davies confronted her at around 6:00pm on June 12 last year. During the argument, he threw her work mobile phone across the room, causing it to smash and creating significant inconvenience for her.
The following morning, at around 8:00am, Davies ripped down a curtain pole, damaging the wall behind it. He also picked up picture frames and threw them against a wall, causing them to break.
The court was told the couple later resumed their relationship, but it ended in September.
Matthew Murphy, mitigating, said Davies had no previous convictions.
Recorder Hughes told Davies he had been “arrogant and condescending” during the trial and said he continued to minimise the seriousness of his behaviour.
He added that the victim had been left considerably distressed by his conduct.
Davies was sentenced to a 12-month community order. He must complete 80 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
A five-year restraining order was also imposed, banning him from contacting his former partner.
Davies must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.
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