Crime

Brutal robbery ends in five-year sentence for Manorbier resident

Published

2 years ago

November 10, 2023

JORDAN Cooney, 28, of Dewing Avenue in Manorbier, has been handed a prison sentence exceeding five years for a brutal and bloody robbery that took place on the evening of September 26 this year in Pembroke Dock.

Cooney, fuelled by a combination of alcohol and cannabis, invaded his victim’s flat, unleashing a barrage of punches that left the older man battered and terrified. Swansea Crown Court heard that Cooney relentlessly assaulted the victim, demanding his debit card and PIN number with each blow. The victim, who endured between 20 and 30 blows, described the ordeal as the most intense physical trauma of his life.

The motive behind the assault emerged during the court proceedings. Cooney was aware that his victim was due to receive benefit payments at midnight. With calculated precision, Cooney waited for the opportune moment to extract the necessary information to access the funds.

The court was informed that Cooney, after midnight on September 26, attempted to withdraw cash from a Pembroke Dock cash point but was unsuccessful due to the funds not being transferred. Undeterred, he returned at 2:22 am on September 27, successfully withdrawing £500 from the victim’s account. A subsequent attempt to withdraw the remaining £160 was thwarted, as it exceeded the daily withdrawal limit.

Judge Mr Recorder J Powell KC remarked, “This was a deliberate plan. Almost as if you were waiting for midnight to approach so you could get the information to obtain the money.”

Following the harrowing incident, the victim, fearing for his safety, bravely called emergency services. When the police arrived at his residence, they found him with a severely swollen and bloody face, bearing the physical scars of the ruthless attack.

Cooney’s apprehension in Monkton on the afternoon of September 27 led to the discovery of two bags of cocaine worth approximately £100 in his possession. Initially denying the charges of robbery and causing actual bodily harm, Cooney eventually pleaded guilty to robbery, actual bodily harm (ABH), fraud, and possession of a controlled drug during the court hearing on Friday, November 10.

The court uncovered Cooney’s extensive criminal history, comprising 16 previous convictions for 39 offences. Shockingly, he was on bail and under supervision at the time of the robbery and ABH.

In his defence, it was revealed that Cooney expressed genuine remorse for his actions, actively seeking help for his issues, including drug misuse and PTSD. In response, Judge Powell handed down a sentence of five years and three months, with half to be served in jail and the remaining half on licence.

Judge Powell concluded the sentencing with a note of hope, stating, “I hope that you will continue to make use of your time in custody and that by the time you come out you will be a different person. If you do that, everybody else will be delighted. If you don’t, then you will spend much of your life in prison and that will be a tragedy.”

The judge also issued an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim and a destruction order for the seized drugs, highlighting the severity and impact of Cooney’s actions on his victim’s life.

Crime

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

Published

14 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.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

15 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.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.