News

Treasurer stole £6300 by writing cheques to himself from Pembrokeshire charity

Published

5 years ago

May 2, 2021

THE TREASURER of a west Wales charity stole thousands of pounds from its coffers by writing out cheques to himself, Swansea Crown Court has heard.

He then tried to cover his actions by making it look like the payments were donations to organisations including the Wales Air Ambulance and Royal British Legion

Lee Squelch, 37, of Llandewi Velfrey, had denied the charges but changed his plea to guilty on March 5. He was sentenced on Friday (Apr 30) by His Honour Paul Thomas QC.

Squelch was the treasure of Pembrokeshire Byways and Bridleways Association, an organisation which works to improve access to local bridleways.

He admitted that between April 2014 and March 2018 he stole money.

Paul Hobson, the prosecuting counsel, said over a three-year period Squelch defrauded the charity out of a total of £6,300.

The thefts were noticed after he made a bank transfer to his own account and Barclays Bank’s internal security procedures flagged up concerns to the organisation.

Dyfed Thomas, for Squelch, said the father-of-two had health issues and was willing to abide by any court orders the court made.

Judge Paul Thomas QC told Squelch the simple truth was that he was a thief.

He said the offending had not been a “spur of the moment” thing and there had been “fundamental dishonesty” in the defendant’s character.

The judge said the offending crossed the custody threshold but given the delay in the case coming to court, the defendant’s caring responsibilities, and his health issues, he was able to suspend the term.
Giving the defendant a 20% discount for his guilty pleas the judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered him to complete a rehabilitation course and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Pembrokeshire Byways and Bridleways is a community focused organisation which aims to improve the bridleways around Pembrokeshire, to keep horse riders safely off the roads. It is affiliated to the British Horse Society.

The charity’s members have been deeply saddened by the case, and have said they were watching the outcome of the case carefully.

A proceeds of crime hearing to try to recover the money for the charity will take place in August.

Crime

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

Published

17 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

17 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

18 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.