News

Hours extension granted to farm shop

Published

5 years ago

April 30, 2021

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Licensing Sub-Committee approved an application to extend the opening hours of a farm shop and café in the tiny hamlet of Bubbleton, near Penally.

Meeting on Tuesday, April 27, the Committee considered an application made by Bubbleton Farm Ltd that would allow an extension to its licensing hours the café could provide further catering provision, including serving alcohol, until 10 pm at night.

None of the relevant statutory authorities, Dyfed-Powys Police and the Council’s environmental health department objected to the application.

The Committee accepted that, in the absence of specific observations from those bodies, it had to accept they were content with the application and believed it a routine matter that did not need their involvement.
Bubbleston Farm has a licence to serve alcohol during its regular opening hours every day between 9 am and 6 pm. It operates in accordance with those provisions and has done so for some time without incident.

Presenting the application for Bubbleton Farm Ltd, Thomas Evans told Committee members that the extension to hours sought was to meet demand and secure the future of the enterprise.

The extended hours did not mean, Mr Evans said, the location would host a bar every night of the week. The café needed to extend its licensing hours to allow the hosting of occasional events; for example, barbecues, at which alcohol could be legally served.

Questioned by the Chair of the sub-committee, Cllr Tim Evans, Mr Evans said that the last year of Covid restrictions had proven gruelling.

Mr Evans said there was increased local interest in attending outdoor catering events, such as those covered by the application.

There was evidence of a sophisticated local customer base who appreciated the chance to go to occasional barbecues outside their homes and have a drink with their food.
He explained the Farm’s planned to hold barbecues during the summer months and that each event would end before dusk.
Mr Evans continued to say the barbecues would be organised on a more-or-less ad hoc basis, depending on the weather. Details of an event would be circulated on social media in the three days leading up to one.

The Committee had two written objections.

The first objection came from a neighbour and expressed concern about the possibility of ‘late night revelry’ and the potential that, were music played, the quiet locality would become ‘a mini Glastonbury. A thought which the correspondent wrote, ‘fills us with horror’.

Asked to address the question of music being played at the premises, Thomas Evans could not recall asking for a live music licence. There was no indication of one being requested on the licensing officer’s report. Although the box was ticked on the application form the subsequent section was blank.

Mr Evans told members of the Committee he did not want a live music licence.

Recorded background music played during the day and current evening hours and that was enough. He explained with his own young children living on the Farm, he was mindful of potential disturbance and did not require a licence for live music.

The second letter of objection came from the non-resident owner of a nearby property.

That letter said: ‘Whilst I am not always present at the property (my wife and I share our time between the property and our primary residence in Berkshire), I am concerned that the proposed extension of the hours for the sale of alcohol will have a negative impact on the relative peace and tranquillity we enjoy at the property’.

The Committee members noted the objections, although neither objector was at the meeting.
Cllr Tim Evans noted the comprehensive way in which the applicant both prepared and presented its case.

After a brief retirement to consider its decision, the Committee approved the application.

Crime

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

Published

15 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

15 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

16 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.