Crime
Pembrokeshire animal cruelty trial delayed
THE TRIAL of a man and his daughter accused of causing unnecessary suffering to various farm animals in Pembrokeshire has been postponed.
Richard Scarfe, 42, from Park Street in Pembroke Dock, and Brogan Scarfe, 24, of Woodbine Terrace in Pembroke, are facing charges related to the treatment of dogs, pigs, and sheep kept on land at the Ridgeway in Lamphey.
The alleged offences span from January 25, 2022, to April 19 of the same year.
However, at Swansea Crown Court both defendants have denied these accusations.
Brogan Scarfe’s defence barrister, Alycia Carpanini, stated that her client refutes claims that the animals were suffering, citing a vet’s visit to the farm a day before the animals were seized, during which no issues were reported.
Richard Scarfe, on the other hand, has informed the court that he was not responsible for the care of the animals, as he had been previously banned from keeping animals.
The trial, initially scheduled for February 12, has faced delays due to issues in appointing a defence expert and complications with the legal aid funding application.
The court was informed that the expert’s report would not be available for another two to three months.
Prosecutor Christian Jowett highlighted the ongoing costs associated with the case, including the housing, care, and treatment of the seized animals. He emphasised that these costs would be sought in full.
Judge Huw Rees has vacated the original trial date in light of these developments. The case is now set to return to court for a pre-trial review on February 9, where a new trial date is expected to be established.
Both defendants have been re-admitted to bail as they await the rescheduling of their trial. This case continues to draw attention to animal welfare issues in West Wales.
For those interested in the latest crime and court news in West Wales, a dedicated Facebook group provides updates and information.
Crime
Haverfordwest man faces drug charges in Crown Court
A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest has been formally charged with multiple drug-related offences, including the possession and intent to supply cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. Owen Maddocks, residing at Hywel Road, will soon make a court appearance at Swansea Crown Court to respond to the charges.
Maddocks stands accused of possessing cocaine with intent to supply on April 5 and similarly for MDMA on June 15 of the previous year. On the same dates, he also allegedly intended to supply cannabis, leading to additional charges.
Furthermore, the allegations against Maddocks include the possession of criminal property, specifically £4,905 in cash, which was seized on June 15.
After appearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on May 3, Maddocks was granted bail. He is scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 10, where he will enter his pleas.
Crime
Father jailed for assaulting daughter during work trip
A FATHER has been imprisoned after he assaulted his 19-year-old daughter during a business trip in Tenby. Nathan Smith, 41, of Salcot Crescent, Croydon, was staying with his daughter, Shania Smith, at Penally Manor near Christmas.
The incident occurred around 2 pm on Sunday, December 17, when, according to the prosecutor Regan Walters, an altercation broke out between the two. Ms Smith confided in a colleague that she was being annoyed by her father. Mr. Walters stated that Mr. Smith overheard the conversation and summoned his daughter to his room to discuss her comments.
During the confrontation, Ms Smith insisted she was not disrespecting her father, who then physically assaulted her. “The defendant grabbed her by the neck using both hands,” Mr. Walters explained, noting that she could still breathe. The altercation escalated as Mr. Smith pushed his daughter against a wall and dragged her back into the room when she tried to leave.
Colleagues intervened after hearing the commotion, and although Ms Smith attempted to contact the police, she was unable to due to a lack of signal. Authorities arrived approximately four hours later.
In a statement to the court, Ms Smith expressed her disillusionment with her father’s actions, stating, “I felt so let down” and “I just don’t feel safe.”
Mr. Smith, who has a history of seven previous convictions involving 15 offences, admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm but denied a charge of strangulation. His plea was accepted by the prosecution.
Defence solicitor James McKenna described the incident as spontaneous and impulsive, saying, “This is a situation that should have never ever occurred. He is appalled by it.”
The court sentenced Mr. Smith to 14 months in prison and issued a three-year restraining order to protect his daughter, underscoring the severity of the familial breach.
Crime
Four-figure fine because of four-legged friends
A PACK of dogs which bark persistently in a Pembrokeshire residential area have resulted in a four-figure fine for their owner.
“The lady living in the property beneath has been concerned about the noise for some considerable time,” said solicitor Jill Davies, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council. “Sometimes the dogs can be heard barking at two, three and even four o’clock in the morning,”
As a result, noise abatement notices were served on Catherine Jones, 51, of Northfield Terrace, Robseston Wathen, following numerous visits by Pembrokeshire County Council’s enforcement officers, RSPCA officers and police officers. But despite the notices, Catherine Jones’s dogs continued to bark.
“The noise abatement notices were served as a result of at least five dogs, possibly as many as seven, barking in a domestic local authority property,” continued Jill Davies.
Last week Jones was found guilty in her absence by Haverfordwest magistrates of five charges of failing to comply with a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act and three charges of failing to comply with a community protection notice.
This Tuesday, May 7, the matter was brought back to Haverfordwest Magistrates Court for sentencing; once again Catherine Jones failed to attend.
Jones was ordered to pay a total of £1,640, comprising a £440 fine and £1,200 prosecution costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. An application by the local authority for a criminal behaviour order to be served against Jones was declined by magistrates.
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