News
EU funding sought
JILL EVANS MEP has called on the UK Government to apply for valuable European funding to help those affected by the closure of the Murco refi nery in Milford Haven. The refi nery employs around 400 people and is set to cease production after its sale to a Swiss company fell through. The refi nery supports around 4,200 jobs in the local area. Jill Evans is writing to the Secretary of State for Wales asking the UK Government to apply for funding under the EU’s Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF).
The purpose of the fund is to support workers made redundant and small businesses which close down as a result of changes in trade patterns and the global economic crisis. The situation in Pembrokeshire clearly qualifi es for this fi nancial help. Jill Evans MEP said: “Many workers in other European countries who lose their jobs have benefi ted from this support to retrain, look for new work or set up their own businesses. We all pay into this fund so it’s time that workers in Wales got the same help. The UK government has never used the fund because it would reduce the amount of rebate the Treasury gets from the EU.
At a time of crisis with the announcement of the Murco closure, the government should give priority to the needs of the workers, their families and communities in Pembrokeshire. They ignored my calls to get this help for the Burberry workers in the Rhondda in 2006. I hope they will not let these communities down in the same way. The Secretary of State for Wales has called this “a hammer blow for the local economy. That merits the strongest response and I call on him to ensure the UK government does not block an application to the EGF. The Welsh Government is setting up a taskforce on Tuesday to look at every option for providing support to the area. This European funding must be one option open to them and not blocked by the UK Government. I am writing to both Edwina Hart and Steven Crabb with this proposal.”
Crime
Dock driver avoids jail after drug-drive crash in mother’s car
BMW damaged after Astra taken without consent in Pembroke Dock incident
A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked vehicle.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home in Pembroke Dock on September 27, 2025, without her consent.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett subsequently collided with a wall, which collapsed and struck a parked BMW.
“The wall fell over as a result of the impact, causing damage to a nearby BMW,” she said.
The owner of the BMW, Damian Gorzach, reported bodywork damage and scratching to his vehicle following the incident.
When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50 micrograms.
The court heard that while Brundrett’s mother confirmed ownership of the Astra, she did not wish to pursue matters against her son.
Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.
Representing him, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client accepted his actions were “foolish and irresponsible” and expressed remorse.
“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties,” she said.
“This was the first and last time he had taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. He does not seek to excuse his behaviour, but he is now in a much better place.”
Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
He must pay £100 in compensation, a £154 surcharge, and £85 in prosecution costs.
Crime
Driver banned after A478 crash and walkaway
Motorist admits string of offences including driving while disqualified and uninsured
A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after walking away from a crash on the A478.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, aged 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving a Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). He then failed to stop at the scene or report the incident to police.
Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report an accident, driving without third party insurance, and driving while disqualified.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence left on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being responsible.”
Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.
Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending the outcome of the case.
Crime
Driver trapped after crash while nearly four times over drink-drive limit
Milford Haven woman cut free from car on busy A4076 as court hears of alcohol dependency struggle
A MILFORD HAVEN motorist had to be cut free from her car after crashing while almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit, a court has heard.
Police were called to the A4076 between Milford Haven and Johnston on the afternoon of Monday (Mar 10) following reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a Mazda. Officers arrived to find Sarah Childe, 43, trapped inside the vehicle, wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas.
“She was trapped in the car and the ambulance and fire service had to cut her out,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
When spoken to by officers, Childe admitted she had consumed alcohol earlier that day. Breathalyser tests later carried out at the police station showed she had 127 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—well above the legal limit of 35.
Childe, who is currently homeless but previously lived in Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the court the offence was aggravated by the timing of the collision.
“The incident occurred at a busy time of day, when many motorists were on the road travelling home from work and school,” she said.
The court heard that Childe is alcohol dependent and believed she may still have had alcohol in her system from the previous day, in addition to wine consumed earlier on the day of the crash.
Defending, Tom Lloyd said his client urgently needed professional support.
“In the long and the short, this is a lady who desperately needs help,” he said. “She recognises she has a serious problem with alcohol and wants to address it. She is drinking far too much and now wishes to confront this head on.”
Magistrates were told Childe has no previous convictions.
She was disqualified from driving for 32 months and handed an 18-month Community Order. As part of the order, she must complete a 12-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
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