News

Officers’ teamwork saves life of heavily bleeding man

Published

5 years ago

July 10, 2021

QUICK thinking and teamwork by two police officers saved the life of a man who was bleeding heavily after he was suspected to have punched a window, the Herald can reveal.

Dyfed-Powys Police Special Sergeants Ben Cole and Caryl Walters were on patrol in Priory Street, Cardigan, when they were flagged down by a man bleeding heavily from his wrist during the early hours of Sunday, July 4.

The officers could see it was a serious injury, with high pressured bleeding and a significant amount of blood on the man’s clothes and the floor around him.

Through clearly calling in the situation on the radio and explaining the urgency, other Cardigan officers were able to attend to assist.

PCs Dion Gibby and Adam Hope were nearby and ran to the scene.

The special sergeants had their force-issued trauma kit ready, and PC Hope – an Army Reserve Combat Medical Technician with 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital – was able to apply a tourniquet to the injured limb.

PC Hope said: “When I heard it was a possible arterial bleed, I made my way to the scene immediately.

“I found a young man holding his wrist, which was spurting blood, and could see he was struggling due to the amount of blood he had already lost.

“I asked him to maintain pressure on the wound, and to keep his arm elevated.

“Given the amount of blood that was spread over a five to ten metre stretch of pavement, and the wait for an ambulance, I knew we had to act quickly.”

While the man kept his arm up to try and slow the bleeding, PC Hope took a tourniquet from the trauma kit and applied it above the wound before bandaging it.

The tourniquet was successful, with no bleeding through the dressing.

“A short while later, however, he appeared to be deteriorating in his responsiveness so myself and PC Gibby put him the shock position,” PC Hope said.

“Other officers from Cardigan station made themselves available to help with the care of this man, providing blankets and equipment, with SPS Cole and Walters keeping ambulance control up-to-date with the situation.”

An ambulance service rapid response vehicle arrived and took over, with the man taken to hospital for further treatment.
He will be dealt with in respect of an allegation of criminal damage as it is suspected he had smashed a window by punching it.

PC Hope said: “I’ve done a fair amount of medical training with the military, which really paid off on this occasion.

“The Cardigan police station team worked together really well, helping to manage a complex situation.”

Temporary Sergeant Amy Harvey added: “This high-pressured incident saw great work from all officers involved, but in particular by PC Hope, whose commendable action undoubtedly prevented further deterioration of the casualty.”

Crime

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

Published

11 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

11 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

12 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.