News

Llanfyrnach: Suspended jail term after mistreatment of 31 horses

Published

5 years ago

December 23, 2020

A LLANFYRNACH man has been handed a six-month suspended jail sentence for the mistreatment of dozens of equines.

Alun Lloyd of Sunny Hill, Llanfyrnach, was found guilty of nine Animal Welfare Act offences split over two separate cases. He was sentenced on Tuesday (22 December) at Llanelli Magistrates Court, having previously failed to attend court.

In addition to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, Lloyd was disqualified from the keeping and owning of horses for ten years, and given £1,500 in fines and costs. He cannot appeal the decade-long ban for five years.

Some 31 horses in the care of Lloyd were being kept in an unsuitable environment, based in several fields at Esgyr Fawr in Cippyn where ragwort was prevalent.

Further offences specifically related to seven of the horses owned by Lloyd – six of whom his failure to act caused suffering unnecessarily. One was suffering due to poor condition, while a further five had poor body condition and weight loss. One of the horses was also suffering with an ulcerated sarcoid, while another also had serious dental issues.

Lloyd also failed to meet the needs of three horses needing effective lice control, two requiring treatment for rain scald, while one was also not given necessary veterinary care and attention for respiratory distress.

Sadly, four horses had to be put to sleep due to the extent of their condition and not responding to intensive treatment.

He now has 28 days to make arrangements for horses still in his care – after being told by the court that he may not keep or own the animals for the next decade.

The RSPCA was contacted by Dyfed Powys Police about the state of horses at Esgyr Fawr – and launched an investigation. Officers from the animal welfare charity say conditions had not improved despite offering advice on previous occasions and that court proceedings followed “bad husbandry” and a failure to respect the basic needs of 31 horses.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: “Sadly, this case saw multiple horses cared for completely inappropriately – with some 31 not having their needs met, with repeated bad husbandry and several fields full of ragwort causing serious problems.

“Seven horses in particular caused us serious concern – with a combination of poor bodily condition, weight loss, dental problems and an ulcerated sarcoid causing suffering among this neglected group.

“Owning horses is a privilege – and unfortunately, despite repeated warnings, the standards of care have fallen well short of legal requirements here – and sadly these animals have paid the price. Fortunately, the RSPCA was able to intervene and the majority of these horses will have another chance of happiness.”

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

7 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

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

Published

19 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.