News

‘English customer’ threatened to glass Haverfordwest shopkeeper over masks

Published

5 years ago

August 9, 2021

THE DIFFERENCE in Covid regulations between Wales and England has caused confusion amongst tourists from England, it has emerged with some situations escalating into threats of assault.

On Saturday (Aug 7) Wales moved to Alert Level Zero, but despite the relaxation in the guidelines, face masks are still a legal requirement indoors with the exception of the hospitality industry.

In England face masks were scrapped on July 19.

This has led to a female member of staff at a convenience store in Haverfordwest being verbally threatened with violence when challenging a customer.

On Sunday, two male ‘tourists’ who were shopping at The Mace Convenience Store, Trafalgar Road, Haverfordwest, refused to wear a face covering and became aggressive with a female shopkeeper when challenged.

When the lady serving, Heather, asked the pair politely to follow the Covid-19 guidance, they became verbally aggressive and were asked to leave the store. One of the two customers said: “No! We don’t have to wear masks anymore!”

Speaking to the Herald, Heather said: “They kept on saying they didn’t need a mask, I told them that in Wales they still have to wear one, they kept on saying no they don’t.”

Heather claims the men were using profanities at her, she added: “They were telling me that Covid was a load of s**t.”

“They asked me if I had lost anyone to Covid-19, to which I said that I had.”

When Heather asked the men to leave the premises one of the men turned around and told her “Say anymore and I will glass you”.

A customer in the shop at the time, tweeted the incident.

The Yes Cymru Twitter page picked up on the incident from social media, saying: “Just a solidarity shout out to the poor lady in the local MACE corner shop in Trafalgar Road, Haverfordwest, who was threatened with a glassing yesterday because she told a “tourist” that in Wales people still had to wear masks in shops.

“YES Hwllfordd stands with you.”

Cllr Jim Dunckley, of Garth Ward, Haverfordwest Town Council said that he was horrified by the incident.

“We are a welcoming country, and we welcome people who come to Wales. From a pro-independence standpoint if we were independent, we would still welcome people from England.

“But we are a different country and people need to respect the different rules in Wales.

“They are here to protect the people of Wales.”

It seems, however, that this is not an isolated incident, many locals have taken to Facebook to vent their frustrations at ‘tourists’ not following Welsh Government Covid requirements, with many citing that they have to continuously challenge people to wear face masks indoors.

Many news agencies have also reported that even large supermarket chains in Wales are having to continuously challenge people over the confusion in mask wearing indoors and remind them that face covering requirements in Wales are different from England.

As a reminder to readers, as of Saturday August 7, The new Alert Level Zero guidelines are as follows:

remove legal restrictions on the number of people who can meet indoors, including in private homes, public places or at events
all businesses and premises can open, including nightclubs
people should still work from home wherever possible
face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. This will be kept under review.
fully vaccinated adults, under 18s and vaccine trial participants will not need to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone with coronavirus.

Crime

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

Published

14 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

14 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

15 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.