News

Local Conservatives condemn Winter Fuel Payment cut

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2024

AROUND 21,000 pensioners in Mid and South Pembrokeshire are set to lose up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payments after Labour MPs voted to scrap the scheme in the House of Commons on September 10.

Labour claims it was left with no choice but to cut the allowance, which is a tiny fraction of overall public spending, to balance the national books. Its wildly unpopular decision was announced shortly before the government announced inflation-busting pay rises for striking railway staff.

A total of 347 Labour MPs, including the Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, voted to cut these vital payments despite warnings that pensioners could be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter.

Following the vote, which only occurred due to significant pressure from the Conservatives, Samuel Kurtz, Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, vowed to continue fighting for vulnerable older people throughout the winter.

He also committed to lobbying the Government to reverse its decision, warning that pensioners will not forget Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Government’s actions as Labour’s union paymasters enjoy above-inflation pay rises.

Samuel Kurtz MS commented: “This heartless decision clearly shows where Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Government’s priorities lie, and it’s certainly not with the 21,000 pensioners in Mid and South Pembrokeshire.

“Despite knowing that older people will struggle to heat their homes this winter – their own report acknowledged this – Labour MPs still chose to strip pensioners of this vital support.

“It hasn’t taken long for Labour ministers and this Government to reveal their true colours.

“I would have voted against this plan, and I will continue to do everything in my power to support vulnerable pensioners through the challenging winter months ahead.”

Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies warned that the decision to cut winter fuel payments would have huge implications in Pembrokeshire.

Only pensioners who claim pension credit will now receive the payment of up to £300 this winter to help with higher heating bills.

Mr Davies said, “The next few months will be very uncomfortable for many local pensioners, who will now be unable to receive a winter fuel payment. These payments were a lifeline to pensioners, and the UK Government’s decision to cut them is callous and cruel.

“The policy has been rushed through without serious consideration of the impact
that it will have – and it’s disappointing that MPs have not done more to scrutinise
this policy and hold the UK Labour Government to account.

“Thousands of local pensioners in Pembrokeshire will go without this valuable support this winter because of the UK Labour Government’s rush to implement this policy.

“It’s absolutely appalling, and the pensioners of Pembrokeshire deserve better.”

Crime

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

Published

6 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.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

6 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

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

Published

7 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.