A MAN has been charged following a series of shop thefts in Cardigan town centre after a dramatic police arrest in Finch Square.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they are investigating a number of thefts from shops in the town this week.

Andrew O’Connell, aged 38, has been charged with two counts of theft.

He has been released on bail and is due to appear at court on Thursday (February 19).

The arrest followed a significant police response in Finch Square on Tuesday evening at around 6:30pm, when several police vehicles descended on the area.

Witnesses reported seeing a man detained by officers after he was recognised on CCTV, with police carrying out searches at the scene.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is investigating a number of thefts from shops in Cardigan town this week. Andrew O’Connell, aged 38, has been charged with two counts of theft and has been bailed until his next court hearing.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Charge dropped due to lack of evidence, confirms prosecution

PROSECUTORS have discontinued the stalking case against a Tenby man who was previously remanded in custody following a breach of bail conditions.

Cory Jenkins, aged twenty-eight, of Serpentine Gardens, had been charged with stalking involving serious alarm or distress, relating to an alleged period between April 26 and May 7 this year. As The Herald reported at the time, he was granted conditional bail but was later arrested after breaching those conditions, appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on May 23 and being remanded to Swansea Prison.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service has now issued a formal Notice of Discontinuance, confirming that the charge has been withdrawn. In the letter sent to his solicitors on September 1, the CPS states that the case no longer presents a “realistic prospect of conviction” based on the evidence available.

All bail conditions imposed in relation to the discontinued proceedings have now ceased to apply.

The CPS notes that the decision could only be revisited if significant new evidence came to light, but the discontinued charge will not proceed to trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court as originally scheduled.

Llanelli magistrates review multiple alleged breaches of abatement notice

PROCEEDINGS against a renewable fuels company accused of repeatedly breaching a statutory noise abatement notice have been adjourned until the new year.

BIOSEL Renewables UK Ltd, based at Tir Powell Ddu Farm, Nant y Glyn Road, Glanamman, Ammanford, did not attend Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 11). The company was represented by counsel, Phillipa Ashworth. The case was brought by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.

The charges relate to a series of alleged breaches of an abatement notice served on the company on 24 November 2023 under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Multiple alleged breaches

The court heard that on six separate dates — 11 October 2024, 14 January 2025, 16 January 2025, 17 January 2025, 21 January 2025 and 22 January 2025 — noise was said to have continued to emanate from a wood chipper at Resolven in such a manner as to constitute a statutory nuisance, contrary to the requirements of the notice.

In each instance, the allegation is that the company, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the notice served by Neath Port Talbot Council.

Case adjourned

District Judge M Layton adjourned the case to Wednesday, 12 February 2026, at 9:30am in Courtroom One at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court. The adjournment is listed for review and further directions.

No pleas were entered, and the defendant remains on unconditional bail as the matter concerns a corporate entity.