Crime

Camrose woman kept 30 poodles in ‘disgusting’ conditions

Published

3 months ago

February 20, 2024

A COURT has been shown ‘disgusting and filthy’ video footage of 30 poodles that were being kept in severely substandard conditions on a farm near Haverfordwest.

The dogs were being kept by Alison Denise Silk, at her home on Rath Farm, Camrose, and were:

Matted in faeces;
Malnourished;
Forced to sleep on urine-soaked rugs;
Deprived of water and
Suffered severe dental problems.

“Each of these 30 poodles were being kept in appalling conditions,” District Judge Mark Layton said when passing judgement on Alison Silk at Haverfordwest Magistrates court this week.

“They were kept in absolutely filthy conditions, their teeth were in a severe dental state, their eyelids were matted and so was their fur. These dogs were suffering, and had been suffering for six months.”

The court was told that an RSPCA officer and a Pembrokeshire County Council dog warden visited Rath Farm on September 4, 2023..

“Alison Silk allowed them to enter her property and the officers immediately noticed a smell of faeces and urine,” explained solicitor Fenn Richards, who was prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA.

“A large number of dogs were found in the kitchen, and all were heavily matted. More were found in cages in the conservatory, which was hot, and there were large amounts of faeces which had been trodden into the floor and their bedding was soiled.”

The officers discovered more poodles in two runs situated in the garden.

Eight dogs were found in the first run and five in the second however Ms Richards stated that they were not being kept for commercial purposes. The cages and garden were also heavily covered in faeces and the cages were without food and water.

“The animals were being kept in an environment where there was no adequate nutrition, no drinking water, no proper veterinary treatment and no parasitic treatment,” continued Ms Richards.

“They couldn’t live in normal conditions because of the large number of dogs that was living both inside and outside the property.”

Ms Richards said that of the 30 poodles recovered from Rath Farm, 23 were deemed to have suffered as a result of inadequate nutrition and prolonged neglect and five had severe dental disease requiring tooth extractions.

Each of the dogs were subsequently removed from the property and are now being cared for by the RSPCA. Following a question by District Judge Mark Layton, Ms Richards confirmed that all dogs have survived.

Video footage and photographs were shown to District Judge Mark Layton which displayed the filthy conditions inside the property. The RSPCA officer could be heard saying, ‘This is pretty disgusting.”

Some of the water bowls displayed green or yellowing water and the flooring was thickly covered in dog faeces. Some of the matted and malnourished poodles were seen moving towards the officers, barking loudly.

As Alison Silk, 67, watched the videos, she was seen wiping her eyes.

She pleaded guilty to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and an additional charge of not taking steps to ensure the needs of her 30 poodles were met. She was legally unrepresented in court.

“I don’t have a solicitor because I’ve done wrong,” she said in mitigation. “I’ll take any punishment because I know I’ve let my dogs down badly.

“I’ve been breeding and training dogs since I was 16 and I’ve had a dog at my side since I was 12.

“But in the months leading up to the RSPCA visit, I lost several family members, including my older brother who brought me up, and it all got too much.”
Alison Silk went on to say that at the time of the offence she was suffering from leg ulcers, a broken collar bone, broken ribs and muscle trauma to her shoulder after falling off a ladder.

“I let my dogs down and I’m really sorry,” she continued. “Living without them is my punishment and I would never, ever have put them through what I did if I had been well.

“Being without a dog is going to be really hard.”

Alison Silk was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months.

She was ordered to pay £10,300 in costs to the RSPCA and a £134 court surcharge. She was disqualified from keeping, dealing and transporting animals for ten years.

Crime

Arrest made following report of sexual assault in Haverfordwest

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DETECTIVES in Haverfordwest are appealing for witnesses following a report of a sexual assault which occurred at approximately 10:00pm-11:30pm on Thursday (May 16) in the vicinity of Dew St, Haverfordwest.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

The police have asked that anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area at the time and may have information that could help officers with enquiries, is asked to contact police.

Police can be contacted either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference:427 of 16th
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Four young Pembrokeshire men arrested on suspicion of rape

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DETECTIVES looking into a serious allegation of rape and sexual assault that took place in Saundersfoot on Saturday (May 11) have made arrests, The Herald can confirm.

Four males, aged 22, 21, 20 and 19 were arrested on suspicion of rape. They have now been released pending further enquiries.

A police spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald on Thursday (May 16): “Dyfed Powys is investigating an allegation of rape and sexual assault that took place in Saundersfoot on May 11. The victim is being supported by specialist officers.

“Four men, aged 22, 21, 20 and 19 have been arrested on suspicion of rape. All four have been released on conditional bail pending further police enquiries.

Crime

Father must stay out of trouble be jailed, says judge

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Court Reporter

A FATHER who attacked his then-girlfriend in a violent outburst has been sentenced to a suspended prison term, with the warning that any further trouble will result in jail time.

Christopher Bendall, 33, of Great Eastern Terrace, Neyland, must remain law-abiding for the next 18 months or serve a 12-month prison sentence for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The incident occurred in the early hours of 6 August 2022, when Bendall returned home after a night out. His then-girlfriend, who had also been out separately, entered his unlocked home at approximately 4.20am. Upon waking Bendall, she questioned him about messages from another woman found on his phone. The confrontation escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical altercation.

Bendall threw a footstool and the victim’s mobile phone at her, both of which missed. He then pushed her to the floor, dragged her by her hair, slapped her face, and dragged her into the hallway. The victim managed to escape by grabbing Bendall by his testicles, causing him to release her grip. She fled the property, taking Bendall’s mobile phone with her.

Following the assault, Bendall called 999, accusing the woman of attacking him. Police initially arrested her but released her after noticing her injuries, which included carpet burns, bruises, and redness. Bendall was then arrested.

The court heard that this was not the first assault. In May, Bendall had thrown his mobile phone at the woman, breaking her finger.

Bendall initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to the two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Three other charges, including controlling or coercive behaviour, assault by beating, and strangulation, were dropped, and not guilty verdicts were formally entered for these counts.

In her victim impact statement, the woman revealed that she had been seeing a counsellor and was on anxiety medication following the assaults. She expressed that she still struggled to feel normal and feared going out alone.

Bendall’s defence highlighted that he was a father of three, a successful solar electrician, and previously of clean character. They noted that he was a good father, very involved with his children, and had well-paid employment. It was also stated that he had abstained from alcohol and had no further incidents since August 2022.

Judge Mr Recorder D Elias KC took into account Bendall’s plea, a pre-sentence report, and two character references. He acknowledged the psychological harm caused to the victim and described the injuries from the second assault as ‘nasty.’

Bendall was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to attend a Building Better Relationships course, undertake ten days of rehabilitation activity, and complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £1,500 in court costs and a £156 victim surcharge within six months.