News

Skeletons found at Ocky White development ‘wildly expensive and difficult exercise’

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE UNEXPECTED discovery of hundreds of human remains during the redevelopment of Haverfordwest’s Ocky White building has massively increased project costs to the council.

Last year’s discovery at the town centre site is one of the town’s most comprehensive archaeological digs in its history.

Dyfed Archaeological Trust started digs at the Bridge Street site after human remains were found during demolition works to prepare for a new £6m food market being built on the site of the old Ocky White’s department store.

The Ocky White building was situated on the site of a 19th century blacksmiths and a burial ground dating back to the 1200s.

The Trust had been in search of the Priory of St Saviours, a prestigious Dominican Friary dating back to 1246, which was located in the area, but the exact location was unknown.

The friary remained an important factor in town life until its suppression in 1538 during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.

Hundreds of skeletons were found in the ancient burial ground, with roughly 50 per cent of them being children.

A mysterious puncture wound was found in one of the skulls excavated, which may provide evidence of medieval warfare in the town.

The findings were welcomed by local historian, and county councillor, Dr Simon Hancock.

“This was an exceptionally important complex in the history of the town of Haverfordwest and it’s wonderful to think that work can finally be done to assess how the friary may have once looked and how it would have operated.”

At the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Andrew Edwards asked for an update on the Ocky White site.

“As the eagerly-anticipated Ocky White building draws to a conclusion, can the relevant cabinet member give council a breakdown of costs so far,” Cllr Edwards asked.

Cabinet member for economy Cllr Paul Miller said the overall costs amounted to £5.829m, including a building purchase cost of £288,000.

Cllr Edwards also asked how the recent archaeological works had affected costs, asking: “Was there any overspending with the finding of the bones underneath?”

Cllr Miller said: “Yes, certainly there was,” adding Cabinet had previously backed revisions to the total approved budget of £12.34m, adding it was “significantly in excess of where we wanted to be when the project started”.

He added: “The key unforeseen has clearly been very significant archaeological work that has basically meant – not quite as straightforward as this – but basically meant the key contractor having to sit around being paid watching archaeologists dig bones out, move them around and take them to the shop opposite.

“It has been a wildly expensive and difficult exercise for the programme, but we are confident it will make a huge and significant positive contribution to Haverfordwest when it is completed this year.”

Councillor Simon Hancock, who presided over the meeting, joked: “I think the Dominican Friars have a lot to answer for, don’t they?”

Crime

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

Published

10 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

10 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

11 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.