11:28 am, December 10, 2025
A 78-year-old man accused of causing more than £18,000 in damage at a car dealership is due to face trial next summer.
Matthew Edmunds, of Dinas Ceri, Cwm Cou, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on December 9 in connection with an alleged offence at Cawdor Cars in Newcastle Emlyn.
Edmunds pleaded not guilty to the charge, which relates to events said to have taken place on April 19, 2024, reported The Pembrokeshire Herald.
Edmunds is accused alongside a 15-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. Prosecutors said the teenager has already admitted involvement in the offence.
The court was told that the child applied paint stripper to several cars at the site, and later assisted in disposing of clothing that allegedly featured in CCTV footage from the day.
Prosecutors allege that Edmunds was involved in the incident but he has denied taking part.
Earlier proceedings revealed the scale of the alleged vandalism, which involved six vehicles with the estimated cost of repairs put at £18,373.31.
Edmunds attended court in a wheelchair. The judge was informed that he has significant health issues and undergoes kidney dialysis three times a week, with each session lasting around four and a half hours. Because of this, the court said any future trial schedule would be arranged with his medical requirements in mind.
The case was adjourned and has been listed for trial on June 16, 2026.
Cawdor Cars’ Newcastle Emlyn site is home to Vauxhall franchise, and forms part of a six-strong portfolio across south and west Wales. The business also has franchises with KGM, Isuzu, Maxus, and Xpeng.
