Latest news with #LlandudnoMagistratesCourt
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Abergele man kept almost £7K of bird feathers at his home
David Pugh, 68, of Primrose Hill, St George, appeared before Llandudno Magistrates Court on August 6, where he admitted three offences under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations 2018 (COTES). In January, Border Force officers at Birmingham Airport intercepted two parcels being delivered to an address in North Wales. The packages contained 60 pieces of grey jungle fowl capes with no import permit. The endangered birds are highly sought-after for their feathers used in fly fishing, and are protected under COTES. Pugh was subsequently arrested, and during a search of his property, further capes were found, amounting to the value of almost £7,000. The court ordered Pugh to pay costs and fines totalling £1,165, and a forfeiture and destruction order was also imposed in relation to the items. Sergeant Peter Evans, of North Wales Police's rural crime team, said: 'COTES was set up to protect endangered species and ensures this type of criminality does not threaten the survival of vulnerable wildlife, or fuel global trafficking networks. 'We are determined to bring perpetrators like Pugh to justice, who exploit endangered species for their own financial gain. 'This investigation would not have been possible without the support from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, who played a vital part in Pugh's sentencing.' Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, said: 'Illegal wildlife trade is alive and kicking in the UK. 'This case is a clear example of how people will exploit protected species for financial gain.'
North Wales Live
17-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Pontins Prestatyn burglars spooked by guard before making foolish decision
Two burglars who broke into the Pontins holiday camp in Prestatyn fled after being disturbed by a guard. The pair ran from the scene, leaving behind a bag filled with bathroom mixer taps. However they made the decision to return to the site, and were seen getting into a silver car before it was driven away. Officers stopped the vehicle and the pair were arrested and charged with burglary. Matthew Ridyard, 28, of John Street, Rhyl, was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to burglary, while his co-defendant Michael Brady, 45, of Bath Street, Rhyl, was handed a 20-week sentence suspended for 18 months. Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday heard the incident occurred at the Pontins Prestatyn Sands holiday park on the evening of September 16 last year. The defendants had initially attempted to break into chalets on the site. The pair then fled on foot after being disturbed by an on-site security guard, who also recovered a large blue recycling bag found nearby. The bag, which was found hanging on a nearby fence, contained a number of chrome bathroom mixer taps. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here A holdall containing a torch and other items was also located at the scene, where it was noted that window frames had been completely removed from one of the chalet blocks. Both men later returned to the holiday park and were witnessed entering a silver vehicle which was driven away. The vehicle was subsequently stopped, and officers recovered dark clothing consistent with that worn by the suspects captured on CCTV footage. Following their arrest, both men were charged with burglary offences. Inspector Ben Garnett said: 'Acquisitive crime, particularly burglary, has a profound impact on victims, businesses and our communities. 'Even though these individuals were disrupted in their attempts to steal property from the site and made no financial gain, this case demonstrates that North Wales Police treats such offences with the utmost seriousness. 'Our officers acted swiftly, and the investigation led to a successful conviction and custodial outcome. We are committed to pursuing offenders robustly and ensuring that they face the consequences of their actions. 'Tackling burglary remains a priority for the force, and we continue to work closely with partners, local communities, and victims to prevent offending, support those affected, and deliver justice. 'If you have any concerns or information about acquisitive crime in your area, I urge you to come forward. Every report helps us protect our communities more effectively.'
Leader Live
06-06-2025
- Leader Live
COURT: Connah's Quay man breached domestic violence order
Owain Hughes-Lewis, of Garratt Close in Connah's Quay, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday. The 27-year-old admitted that on Wednesday (June 4) he breached a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) by attending an address in Northop Hall. Sue Rees, prosecuting on behalf of North Wales Police, told the court that the order, which was granted by Llandudno Magistrates Court on May 21, remains in place until a minute to midnight on June 17. When Hughes-Lewis was released from custody on Wednesday, police carried out a welfare check on the associated person protected by the DVPO. At her property, they found the defendant hiding under a mattress in a bedroom. Gary Harvey, defending, told the court: "It's quite straight forward. "He is released from prison, this lady picks him up outside prison and he doesn't know where he's going to go. "His thoughts were to go immediately to the local authority and seek accommodation, but it didn't work out that way because of the time he was released - so he goes to this lady's house. MORE COURT NEWS "There's then the welfare check and he's at the address which unfortunately means he is in breach of the order. "The order itself was put in place at Llandudno in his absence and he wasn't aware of it at the time, but he does accept the breach and he knows he shouldn't have been there." The Magistrates handed down a £50 fine and warned the defendant that while he'd been "quite lucky" in not receiving a custodial sentence for the breach, a second one may well have a different outcome.
