News

Tenby: Cabinet supports new swimming pool for town

Published

4 years ago

September 6, 2022

James Hemingray

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s Cabinet has given its support to a new swimming pool being built in Tenby.

The current pool was built in 1973 but has been described as ‘tired’ and ‘not fit for purpose’.

It attracts a large number of visitors and school visits each year and is described as a ‘key local facility’ in the Cabinet report.

Tenby South councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall submitted a notice of motion, calling for a working group to be set up to look at preferred options for a new site.

At the Cabinet meeting on Monday (Sept 5) she called for a ‘speedy’ review and decision.

Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall said: “This is not about if, but about and inevitably where. It does seem odd with all focus on the cost of living crisis to be talking about swimming pools but we should be clear we are not talking about luxuries.

“This is about well-being, health and fitness. The town, that this weekend will be hosting Ironman for the tenth time, we should not underestimate the impact it has made in focussing people’s minds on better health or the contribution that swimming makes to better physical and mental health.

“We also know that a new pool is required as part of the integrated health and leisure options in south Pembrokeshire.

“We also know that access to Bluestone has changed. There is a commercial opportunity and a chance to give access to fund swims for residents across the county.

“We have an ageing pool, not fit for purpose and creeking through each repair and maintenance programme.

“My concern, and the reason for the notice of motion, was that people were drifting off with a range of ideas for a location of the pool and grand master-planning exercises.

“My concern is that something happens to the existing pool whilst we are still talking about a location to replace it.

“We need a speedy review of location options and to make an equally speedy decision about a preferred location.”

Cabinet member Rhys Sinnett said: “We agree as a cabinet that a group does need to be set up where we would like to see some flexibility, it doesn’t need to be politically balanced. I think looking at the local membership in the south area and around Tenby it is politically balanced anyway but I would ask that we keep this group tight.”

Cllr Sinnett described the pool as ‘tired’ adding that he would like to see a single option being discussed by the group.

Cllr David Simpson said this problem had been ‘on the boil’ for some time adding the setting up of a group was the way forward.

Cllr Paul Miller said he was ‘very supportive’ of the plans to get the issue resolved quickly.

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.