News

Police officer in charge of paddleboarding firm arrested and bailed for manslaughter

Published

4 years ago

November 9, 2021

FOUR people have now been confirmed dead and another arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after a group of nine paddleboarders got into trouble in the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest last month (Oct 30).

Officers are calling the investigation into the incident Operation Eildon.

The Herald understands that a serving police officer, 36-year-old Nerys Bethan Lloyd, is the person arrested and bailed over the incident.

She is the sole director of the company which organised the excursion- Salty Dog Co Ltd.

Body Boards at the scene of the tragedy (Image Martin Cavaney)

Under The Police Regulations 2003, a serving officer must have permission from the Chief Constable before undertaking a business venture whilst working for the police, to avoid conflict of interest.

The Herald understands Ms Lloyd was one of the paddleboarders who got into difficulty and was rescued.

The Herald asked South Wales Police if they had suspended Ms Lloyd because of her arrest for a serious offence.

We also asked the force if she had been given special permission by the Chief Constable to operate a water sports and clothing business while serving as a serving police officer

A senior communications officer for South Wales Police told The Pembrokeshire Herald that they could not release any information saying only: “This is an on-going investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police, and it is not appropriate to comment.”

The news of the arrest came as police confirmed that 41-year-old Andrea Powell from the Bridgend area – who was in hospital following the incident had sadly died.

Police said on Friday: “Our thoughts are with her family, and all those involved in this tragic incident. “We are supporting her family and would ask for their privacy to be respected at this very difficult time.”

Andrea Powell’s family released a statemetn on Tuesday (Nov 9), saying: “As a family we are distraught by the loss of Andrea, she will be deeply missed. She was a loving mother, wife, daughter and sister, who loved life. We would like to thank everyone for their support at this horrific time. As a family we would now like time to grieve and would ask to be given privacy to do so.”

Andrea Powell – died in hospital following the River Cleddau tragedy (Pic: Family)

WHAT IS GROSS NEGLIGENCE MANSLAUGHTER?

The offence for which the serving officer has been arrested is complex.

It can be summarised as the breach of an existing duty of care that gives or should give rise to a serious and obvious risk of death.

The degree of negligence needs to be very high before the conduct can be considered to be a crime, according to the CPS guidance

If the elements of gross negligence manslaughter are made out, it is no defence that the deceased’s death was caused in part by their own conduct. However, evidence to that effect may be relevant to the degree of the defendant’s culpability and, as such; relevant to the question of whether they were grossly negligent.

Crime

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

Published

12 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

12 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

13 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.