Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Police seized devices from John Agnew's home on February 13, 2025, and found three indecent video files of children — one Category A and two Category B — plus 12 extreme pornographic images depicting sexual acts involving animals. He pleaded guilty to four offences.

Arthur Jones admitted being in charge of a Vauxhall Combo on a road at Gwernyfed Park on May 29, after consuming so much alcohol that his breath contained 56 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres, above the legal limit.

David William Owen crashed his white BMW M235 into a bridge on the A470 between Rhayader and Doldowlod on 3 December 2024. His girlfriend, a passenger in the car, was airlifted to hospital and died from her injuries days later. He pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and received 14 months imprisonment, comprising 12 months for the driving offence and an additional 2 months for drug driving after an arrest in January 2026.

Maxine Snaith was stopped on Station Road in Talybont-on-Usk on September 6 after driving a Renault van. She provided a breath reading of 71 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, over the legal limit of 35 microgrammes. She pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with an alcohol level above the prescribed limit. The court fined her £507, ordered £85 in costs and a £203 surcharge, and imposed a 20-month driving disqualification, which can be reduced by 20 weeks if she completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course. The financial penalties were ordered to be paid in monthly instalments of £100 starting on November 2.

An employee suffered fatal crush injuries after being thrown from an all-terrain vehicle that overturned on a hillside at Wyesham, Monmouthshire, on August 25, 2022. The vehicle was being driven downhill when the driver lost control. An HSE investigation found inadequate training, no seatbelts, no routine pre-use checks, improperly inflated tyres, and the vehicle being driven in high gear and two-wheel drive instead of low gear and four-wheel drive. Allen Roberts pleaded guilty as the employer responsible for the farm.

Nathan Morgan breached a restraining order by repeatedly attending a protected person's address in Merthyr Tydfil on 7 July and 8 July 2026, causing significant fear and distress. He left before officers could detain him on the second occasion and was arrested after a search lasting around a fortnight.

Andrew Robinson, a retired vicar from Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon, was visited by police on 9 June 2026 as part of sex offender monitoring. Officers found an open laptop displaying animated graphic images of children engaging in sexual activity with adults. Robinson claimed he did not think the images were illegal and stated 'I have nothing else to do'. He was arrested and charged. He had previously received a suspended prison sentence in April 2025 for possessing indecent images of children.

David Tasker left an open wound on his terrier cross Benji's back leg to fester for a year, leading to chronic infection, skin issues from incontinence, and the dog having to be put down. RSPCA inspector attended his home on July 18, 2025, finding the dog with a makeshift bandage of parcel tape, overwhelming urine smell, hair loss, raised skin, and a deep open flesh wound on the left hind leg with disrupted hock joint. Tasker had used human mouthwash for maggot infestation and claimed daily washing, but failed to seek proper veterinary treatment despite prior knowledge of the dog's intervertebral disc disease.

Hannah O'Brien, 26, from Merthyr, repeatedly targeted shops in Merthyr Tydfil committing retail crime. She was issued a Community Protection Notice barring her from entering TK Maxx, Tesco and Farmfoods, but breached the conditions by entering the stores.

Daniel Giles, 30, from Merthyr Tydfil, committed a string of high-value shoplifting offences in the area, repeatedly targeting retailers in the town.

Between September 14, 2024, and April 2, 2025, at Robert Street, Ynysybwl, Pontypridd, Jamie Selby failed to ensure the needs of his male crossbreed dog named Marley were met by not providing adequate veterinary treatment for his chronic skin condition, resulting in hair loss, warty lumps, and a perineal hernia that blocked the bowel. RSPCA Inspector Sophie Daniels visited on September 15, 2024, advised treatment, offered a vet voucher, and found four dogs in three crates. Selby ignored follow-ups, refused entry two months later, and on April 1, 2025, Marley was seized under warrant. The dog had suffered for at least six months and was euthanized due to complications.

Jodie Clark, of Merthyr Tydfil, uploaded threatening and abusive videos to YouTube over a period between April 12 and April 18, directing the content at his victim in behaviour that constituted stalking. He was arrested and charged on April 19 and appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on April 21, where he entered a guilty plea.

Leah Evans pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and criminal damage and was sentenced to three months in prison.

Geoffrey Williams failed to protect a pony from pain, suffering and injury through an unacceptable handling method. He was ordered to pay £1,800 at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court.

Anthony James was found to have driven without wearing a seat belt and used a vehicle with a tyre that had a lump, bulge, or tear. He was fined £220 for the seat belt offence and £440 for the tyre offence, given three penalty points for the tyre offence, and ordered to pay £120 costs and a £264 surcharge for each offence.

Nathan Roberts was caught driving without valid insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He was given six penalty points, fined £660, and ordered to pay £120 costs and a £264 surcharge.

Ryan Boswell was caught using a vehicle with a tyre that had exposed ply or cord. He was fined £220, given three penalty points, and ordered to pay £120 costs and an £88 surcharge.

Samuel Powles admitted using a vehicle or trailer in such a condition that it was likely to cause danger. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £120 costs and a £16 surcharge.

Shannon Phillips was caught riding in the front passenger seat of a vehicle without wearing a seat belt. She was fined £220 and ordered to pay £120 costs and an £88 surcharge.