News

WASPI lobby MPs on pensions, but say Simon Hart has not replied to them in six years

Published

5 years ago

August 29, 2021

FOLLOWING the announcement of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on July 20, vindicating WASPI (Women Against State Pension Injustice), protestors have started to lobby local NPS Stephen Crabb and Simon Hart.

On August 21, in awful Pembrokeshire weather, some ladies gathered outside Stephen Crabb’s office in Haverfordwest, to hand in letters asking him to support a fair and fast compensatory solution which is not means tested.

As Stephen couldn’t attend, Adele Jones, Stephen’s Executive Office Manager stepped in to take receipt of the sample of letters.

Pembrokeshire & Carmarthen West WASPI say that they have requested a zoom meeting with the MP, as soon as possible.

On August 28, women from from Maenclochog, St David’s; Whitland, Penally, Tenby, St Clears, Carmarthen & Llanelli gathered outside Simon Hart MPs office in Whitland.

Despite repeated letters and emails sent to Simon Hart since 2016, he has still failed to respond to the group.

The group said the MP also failed to respond to the request for him to meet with some WASPI ladies today (28/8/2021) and receive their letters.

They are giving the MP a further ten days to respond, The Herald understands.

The retirement plans of WASPI women have been shattered.

Being without a significant income, that they had expected and relied on from age 60, has caused major problems for women and often for their families as well. Some women have been forced to carry on working until they reached their new State Retirement Age, although many have found this a real struggle, both physically and mentally, particularly during the pandemic.

Many others who aren’t well enough to work, or who couldn’t find jobs, have been left with no income and have had to claim benefits if they are eligible; live off savings or rely on help from friends and family.

Even women who had works pensions have had to adjust their retirement plans and live on a much lower income than expected, as they were unknowingly opted out of contributions to the state pension, by their employers.

Whilst the Ombudsman has moved on to the next stages of their investigation ie to see whether the maladministration caused injustice, and if so, whether compensation is appropriate, WASPI women will continue to lobby their MPs and the Secretary of State for Wales for a fair and fast compensatory solution.

Some MPs’ comments, including Stephen Crabb, demonstrate a confusion between the legal case, which dealt with the legitimacy of the primary legislation on this issue and the Ombudsman’s investigation, which dealt with maladministration in the way the changes brought about by the legislation were communicated.

The government can find the money if they want to.

Jackie Gilderdale, Organiser of the Pembrokeshire & Carmarthen West WASPI and six others from various 1950s pension groups will be meeting with Andrew Gwynne (Labour MP) & Peter Aldous (Conservative MP), very supportive Co Chairs of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for State Pension Justice on September 7th to discuss the compensatory element further.

The group said: “Please keep an an eye on our website to find out the latest news and keep writing to your MP.”

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.