News

Email from Councillor prompts Pembroke Dock mayor to resign

Published

4 years ago

November 26, 2021

AN EMAIL enquiring to why the Mayor of Pembroke Dock had been absent from his civic duties has led to confirmation from the town hall that he has now resigned.

Cllr Paul Dowson had sent an email on Thursday explaining that many in his ward were expressing concern that the Mayor had not been seen in a while

His email to the Pembroke Dock Town Council read as follows: “I am somewhat concerned about the situation regarding The Town Mayor Mr Terry Judkins. It appears he is not performing any mayoral duties or attending civic functions, although I am not a member of Pembroke Dock Town Council, As a county Councillor for the town I am seeking an explanation for this highly unusual situation.

“It appears that I am not the only person to notice the absence of the Mayor, as there is a great deal of speculation within the town and we could do without any unnecessary scandal or untruths circulating on the subject.

“I would be grateful for an explanation regarding this matter.”

Cllr Dowson said he then received a message to say that the Mayor had resigned.

The Town Clerk told The Herald by telephone on Friday morning: “The Mayor has resigned and will be replaced temporarily by Cllr Josh Beynon as Acting Mayor. The resignation was for personal reasons.”

The Town Council said that they would send an official statement in due course, following their next meeting.

Cllr Joshua Beynon said: “As the Mayor of Pembroke Dock has resigned from the office of Mayor of the town, as Deputy Mayor, I have administered the mayoral oath of office and I have been sworn in as the Interim Mayor of Pembroke Dock.

“It’s an honour to be the youngest Mayor in both the town and Pembrokeshire’s history and I look forward to promoting the town and the values I hold dear of compassion, equality and kindness.

Sarah Scourfield, Town Clerk has released a statement saying: “It is with regret that the office of Pembroke Dock Town Council has been informed that the Mayor Cllr Terry Judkins will be stepping down as Mayor with immediate effect. “Cllr Judkins has thanked Councillors for support during his short term, but due to personal reasons and extra work commitments this has resulted in him being unable to attend events and give his full attention to the role.

“He therefore felt it was best for him to step down and allow the Deputy Mayor Cllr Beynon to take over the role for the remainder of the term to allow for events to be represented in events throughout the County.

“Cllr Joshua Beynon will undertake the role as interim Mayor until the next meeting of Full Council which will take place on Thursday 2nd December 2021 where the official voting will take place for Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who will remain in office until May 2022.”

Cllr Beynon takes office as Acting Mayor (Pic Facebook)

Crime

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

Published

19 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

19 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

20 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.