Blackwater, Cornwall
67-year-old John Lee of Blackwater, Truro, appeared before the court on three charges brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that between 1 August 2022 and 11 June 2025, Lee was knowingly a party to the carrying on of a roofing, building and maintenance business with the intention to defraud, in that he dishonestly obtained money from customers of the business, contrary to section 9 of the Fraud Act 2006.
Lee also faced two charges of money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, one relating to £246,214.01 passing through a Lloyds Bank account in the name of Joe Birmingham, and a second relating to £313,955.26 through a TSB account in Lee’s own name, both of which he is alleged to have known or suspected represented the proceeds of criminal conduct.
The court directed trial by jury. Lee has been sent for trial at Swansea Crown Court on 18 May 2026 and was released on conditional bail, with a condition that he reside each night at his Blackwater address.
Gloucester
39-year-old Joe Birmingham of Minsterworth, Gloucester, appeared before the court by live link, facing the same three charges as co-defendant John Lee, brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that Birmingham is alleged to have been knowingly party to a fraudulent roofing and building business between August 2022 and June 2025, and to have laundered a combined sum exceeding £560,000 through bank accounts held in his own name and that of John Lee.
The court directed trial by jury. Birmingham has been sent for trial at Swansea Crown Court on 18 May 2026 and was remanded into custody. His custody time limit expires on 15 October 2026.
Kidwelly
55-year-old Emyr Lyn Jones of Llys Y Gorlan, Kidwelly, appeared before the court, represented by solicitor Aled Owen in his absence, charged by Carmarthenshire County Council with three offences under the Animal Health Act 1981.
The court heard that between July 2022 and December 2022, Jones is alleged to have moved a total of 27,630 sheep, across three separate counts, without lawful authority, in contravention of a Ministerial order. The movements involved thousands of animals sent to Euro Quality Lambs Ltd in Craven Arms, Shropshire, and a further 22,849 sheep sent to Pak Mecca Meats Ltd in Birmingham.
Jones pleaded not guilty to all three charges in September 2025. The case was adjourned for trial and he has been remanded on unconditional bail to appear at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on 19 October 2026.
55-year-old Martin Evans of Holloway Farm, Kidwelly, appeared before the court on three separate cases, all brought by Dyfed-Powys Police, relating to speeding offences and failures to identify the drivers of his vehicles when required to do so by police.
In the first case, Evans had pleaded not guilty to driving at 48mph in a 30mph zone on Hendre Road, Llangennech on 9 May 2025. That speeding charge was dismissed after no evidence was offered. However, the court found him guilty of failing to provide driver identification information when required by the Chief Officer of Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the same vehicle. He was fined £600, ordered to pay costs of £650 to the Crown Prosecution Service, and his driving record was endorsed with 6 penalty points.
In his second case, Evans had pleaded not guilty to driving at 28mph in a 20mph zone on the B4309 at Meinciau on 22 May 2025. That charge was dismissed. He was, however, found guilty of failing to identify the driver of a Ford Transit van when required by police. Fined £400, with a victim services surcharge of £560 imposed. His driving record was endorsed with a further 6 points. The court noted that a totting-up disqualification was not imposed after exceptional hardship was found — the bench accepted that a ban would result in the loss of employment for staff members who depend on Evans to price jobs and keep them in work. No order for costs was made.
In his third case, Evans again pleaded not guilty to a speeding offence on Hendre Road, Llangennech on 8 May 2025, recorded at 44mph in a 30mph zone. That charge was dismissed. He was found guilty of a further failure to identify a driver when required by police, and was fined £400, with 6 points endorsed on his licence. No order for costs was made.
Food Standards Agency — Pembrokeshire Holdings Limited
In two separate civil proceedings, the Food Standards Agency faced appeals brought by Pembrokeshire Holdings Limited against Remedial Action and Hygiene Improvement Notices issued in 2023. Both appeals were withdrawn by Pembrokeshire Holdings Limited. In each case, the court ordered Pembrokeshire Holdings Limited to pay costs of £12,500 to the Food Standards Agency, payable on or before 14 May 2026, a total costs liability of £25,000.
The cases were heard before District Judge M Layton. Court clerk: Bryony Davies.
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