News
Woman ordered to pay £26,700 for illegal puppy breeding operation in Cross Hands

KRISTINA BARTON, a 28-year-old resident of Heol Dinefwr, has been ordered to pay a hefty sum of over £26,700 after confessing to running an unlicensed puppy breeding operation in Cross Hands. The case, which has been ongoing since March 24 last year, concluded with a significant penalty under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Barton admitted to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act in Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, marking the beginning of a legal battle that uncovered the extent of her unlawful activities. Prosecutors alleged that Barton had reaped profits amounting to approximately £31,000 from the illicit sale of puppies.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Barton had been involved in the breeding of as many as nine litters of puppies during the period under scrutiny. The case came to light following numerous complaints from concerned neighbors, who had voiced their concerns to both Carmarthenshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police.
The investigation commenced in April 2020 when Barton initially inquired about obtaining a dog breeding license. Despite being provided with information on the licensing requirements, subsequent complaints from neighboring properties revealed allegations of illegal dog breeding, unauthorized construction of kennels and stables, noise disturbances caused by barking dogs, and instances of dogs straying and fouling outside her property.
In May 2021, an advertisement on the Pets4Homes website exposed Barton’s activities when she advertised a litter of puppies, leading to a warning letter from Carmarthenshire County Council. Unfortunately, the situation escalated further when Dyfed-Powys Police received additional complaints in April 2022.
Further investigations carried out under the Data Protection Act revealed that Barton had bred as many as nine litters of puppies and offered four individual dogs for sale between May 17, 2021, and July 30 of the same year—all without the required dog breeding license.
Despite previous advisories and warnings, Barton persisted in her illicit breeding operations, prompting Carmarthenshire County Council to take legal action. In a subsequent Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, she was ordered to pay £26,721.12, in addition to £500 in costs and a £22 surcharge. For each of her offenses, Barton received a 12-month conditional discharge.
A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the council had taken “decisive action” against Barton. The extensive investigation into her alleged illegal dog breeding activities revealed a “blatant disregard for regulations and numerous breaches of the law.”
Councillor Aled Vaughan Owen, cabinet member for climate change, decarbonization, and sustainability, emphasized the importance of adhering to dog breeding regulations and obtaining the necessary licenses. He stated, “This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to dog breeding regulations and obtaining the necessary licenses to ensure that we, as a council, can correctly monitor the welfare of the animals involved.”
The case against Kristina Barton highlights the crucial need for responsible breeding practices and adherence to legal regulations to safeguard the welfare of animals and maintain the integrity of the law.
Crime
Pembroke Dock man to be sentenced for assaulting police officers

A PEMBROKE DOCK man is due to be sentenced on Monday (Mar 31) after admitting to assaulting three police officers and resisting arrest during incidents earlier this month.
Ashley Rickard, aged 27, of Elizabeth Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to four offences when he appeared at court on March 17. Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
The court heard that on March 15, Rickard assaulted PC Morse in Pembroke Dock while the officer was carrying out his duties as an emergency worker. He also assaulted PC Walker and resisted two other officers, PC Cranmer and PC Kendall, during the same incident in Milford Haven.
All of the offences are understood to have taken place on the same day and involved Rickard obstructing and assaulting officers during the course of their work.
Rickard is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court at 10:00am on Monday for sentencing. The offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in prison or an unlimited fine.
The Herald will report the outcome of the case following the hearing.
Crime
Milford Haven man faces court hearing for assault on three police officers

A MILFORD HAVEN man is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 31) facing multiple charges, including the assault of three emergency workers and possession of an offensive weapon.
Adam Williams, 37, of Richard John Road, is facing charges relating to an incident on March 16 in which he is accused of possessing a craft knife in a public place without lawful authority, contrary to the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.
Williams is also charged with three counts of assaulting emergency workers—Police Sergeant 408 Benbow, PC 944 Lee, and PC 764 Mycroft—who were reportedly acting in the course of their duties at the time of the incident.
In addition, Williams is facing a charge of using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance, said to have occurred on Richard John Road on the same date.
The case was adjourned earlier this month for a reports to be prepared.
Williams is expected to return to court at 10:00am on Monday.
Business
Tree-mendous work helping to improve the condition of our rivers

OVER 24,000 trees have been planted along the banks of four south Wales rivers to help reduce nutrient pollution, improve water quality and help protect nature.
The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project has been busy this tree planting season on the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers.
In partnership with organisations like the National Trust, West Wales Rivers Trust, County Councils and contractors a total of 24,160 native trees have been planted with the aim of reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality and helping to protect nature.
The trees will soak up excess nutrients from agricultural land run off, improve downstream water quality and provide habitat for wildlife.
The corridors of trees, averaging 10metres in width, act as buffer strips between farmland and the river and have been planted on land that has been fenced to create riparian strips.
Robert Thomas, Four Rivers for LIFE Land Management Officer said: “As the trees mature they will act as an important filter, reducing the amount of excess nutrients reaching the rivers, helping to improve the overall condition of these special rivers.”
As well as providing benefits to the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river, in time as the trees mature and grow, they will stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion and soil loss to the river, provide shelter for livestock and shade the river, keeping the water cool for fish.
Simon Rose, Woodland Project Ranger at National Trust Brecon Beacons said: “We have been delighted to work alongside NRW’s Four Rivers for LIFE team and the Woodland Trust at Ty Mawr Farm. This collaborative effort exemplifies the very objectives we seek to achieve through ongoing engagement with volunteer and corporate groups, students from Black Mountains College, and staff from similar organisations on team-building days.”
“Together, we are planting trees and hedgerows that will provide essential food sources and create connected woodlands, fostering the growth of wildlife and the flourishing of habitats.”
The Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers are classed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), meaning they are of international importance for the wildlife and plants that make them home, such as salmon, lamprey, shad, otters and water crowfoot.
The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from Welsh Government and Welsh Water.
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