Crime

Milford man jailed for ‘sustained and merciless drunken assault’

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison following a brutal assault on a man who had an affair with his ex-partner. The attack occurred after David Davies, 31, of George Street, had spent the day drinking heavily in a local pub.

On the evening of April 6, Davies and the victim were both present at The Lord Kitchener pub in Milford Haven, though they were not drinking together. According to Prosecutor Georgia Donohue, the two men encountered each other on the street after leaving the pub in the early hours of the morning. An exchange of words quickly escalated when Davies punched the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Davies then straddled the victim and continued to punch him repeatedly before delivering three additional kicks once he got off. A witness reported seeing Davies filming the two-minute assault on his mobile phone. The attack left the victim with two black eyes, a split lip, a swollen nose, and blood in his mouth, which he later coughed up.

Following the incident, Davies attended Haverfordwest Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of assault. Blood marks were found on the shoes Davies confirmed he had worn during the attack. After being shown CCTV footage of the incident, Davies made full admissions, confessing he had been drinking since 11am and had consumed 20 pints of cider along with some spiced rum.

Davies, who has three previous convictions for eight offences, pleaded guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. His defence counsel, Jon Tarrant, noted that Davies had not committed any offences since 2013 and had no history of violent crimes. Tarrant explained that Davies had been provoked by a combination of factors, including an argument with his ex-partner on the morning of the attack, which led to him being asked to leave after his youngest child witnessed the argument.

Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned Davies’ actions, describing the assault as “cowardly and vicious” and motivated by jealousy and revenge. “It was a sustained and merciless beating,” the judge stated. “You acted out of both jealousy and revenge, served cold in this instance.”

In addition to the assault charge, Davies had also faced accusations of strangling a woman on April 5, which he denied. The prosecution offered no evidence on this charge, and Judge Thomas entered a not guilty verdict.

David Davies is now serving a prison sentence, reflecting the severity of his actions on that fateful night.

Crime

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

Published

8 minutes 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

31 minutes 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.

Crime

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.