News

Drink driver banned

Published

6 years ago

January 5, 2015

A NEVERN man was banned from driving for 46 months after he pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving. Paul Ladd, aged 50, of Penrallt Isaf pleaded guilty to the charge at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “At 6.20pm on Friday November 14, on the B4582 near Penrallt Isaf, an officer in an unmarked police vehicle noticed a Ford Fiesta.

“The officer illuminated his blue lights and the Fiesta immediately pulled off. The driver turned up a lane and then stopped. The officer was about to get out of his car when he noticed the reverse lights of the Fiesta had come on. “The Fiesta then came out and drove further up the road. The officer followed and the driver eventually came to a stop outside a house.

“The officer went to speak to the driver and noticed a strong smell of alcohol. “The driver told the officer that he had only had his last drink around five minutes ago, and therefore had to wait until twenty minutes had elapsed before being tested at the road side. “He was taken to the station where his lowest reading was 86 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

“There are two previous matters on his record, one in 2003 and the other in 2008, when he received a three year ban.” Defending, Gareth Phillips said: “I have asked probation to provide a report but they feel it is not needed. He has two previous convictions, one of those is relevant. “He has been living with his mother who is partially blind and suffers with dementia. He is stressed with looking after his mother and he has been diagnosed with depression.

“On the day in question he had been out for a drink, but he only lives around five minutes away from the pub and he could have walked home.” The Magistrates disqualified Ladd from driving for 46 months and fined him £110. Ladd was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £20 victim surcharge. Magistrates also offered him the chance to take the drink drivers rehabilitation course.

News

Nolton Haven: Man hospitalised after getting into difficulties in sea

Published

32 mins ago

February 27, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

A MAN was taken to hospital after getting into difficulties in the sea off Nolton Haven on Friday.

Emergency services were alerted at 2.40pm on February 26 by a 999 call to the control centre.

The Little Haven RNLI lifeboat, Broad Haven Coastguard, an ambulance crew and a Coastguard rescue helicopter assisted police in the operation.

The male casualty was stabilised on the beach and shortly before 4.30pm, was then transported to Withybush Hospital.

A police spokesman told The Herald: “We were called to a male who had got into difficulties in the water at Nolton Haven shortly before 3pm.

“He was taken to hospital by ambulance.”

News

Cyclist killed on A40 was serving police officer, force confirms

Published

13 hours ago

February 26, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

A CYCLIST who died after a crash with a van on the A40 in Carmarthenshire was a serving police officer with Dyfed-Powys Police, the force has confirmed in a statement to Herald.Wales.

The driver of the van involved in the crash, which happened on Thursday (Feb 25) has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, it was confirmed on Friday (Feb 26).

Police are investigating the fatal collision, which caused the road to be closed for 12 hours, and are asking for any witnesses to come forward by calling 101.

37-year-old Lynwen Thomas, who is a former student at Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Croes-y-Ceiliog, Carmarthen, was a sergeant and a very well-respected member of Dyfed-Powys Police.

A spokesperson for the police said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues, who have all been offered specialist support. We ask that family members are given the privacy they need at this difficult time.”

Health

Pembrokeshire residents urged to take a virtual GP consultation when offered

Published

15 hours ago

February 26, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being urged to take up the offer of a virtual consultation, over the phone or video call with their GP, to help Keep Wales Safe during the current lockdown ‘stay at home’ restrictions.

The way we access local NHS services is changing, with more ways in which you can consult your doctor or nurse. Most surgeries now offer telephone as well as electronic advice consultations in the first instance. Following your advice call, a face to face appointment may be organised, but video consultations are also available. You can now speak to a doctor or healthcare professional using the video camera in your smartphone, tablet or computer and a connection to the internet. This is often more convenient and can save you time, as you will not need to travel for a face-to-face appointment. The system used is confidential and secure.

In a recent YouGov survey carried out for the Welsh Government’s Keep Wales Safe campaign only 27% of residents in Mid and West Wales had made use of the GP virtual service over the past 12 months with just 57% having heard of the service. However, 88% believed it was important to have access to a remote GP consultation once they had learnt of its existence.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long Term Care at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “If you are offered a video consultation appointment this is because your Health Care Professional has indicated that is it safe and appropriate to do so. Your video appointment will be confidential and will not be recorded. If you require support please contact your GP surgery using the number provided in the appointment confirmation.”

She continued: “By putting off small problems or regular appointments you could potentially be putting more strain on NHS emergency services so please, help us to help you, do not put anything off. Local GP surgeries are open and are there to offer medical advice and consult patients.”

After being offered a video consultation you will be sent a letter, email or text with details of your appointment. This communication will contain details of the service that has requested to see you by video and have provided a web address link. You can type or copy the web address link into a web browser via an internet enabled device and this will take you to the video clinic waiting area.

In order to access your virtual appointment, you will need:
Access to a device that will allow you to access the internet. You should use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browser on a desktop or laptop, or on an Android tablet or smartphone or Safari web browser on an Apple iMac, MacBook, iPad, or iPhone.
Your device will need a webcam (camera), speakers and microphone.
A good internet connection (if you can watch a YouTube video, this is good indication that you have a good connection).
An internet usage plan that is sufficient to cover the data consumption of a video call – ideally use a Wi-Fi connection if you have this available.

Sixty two percent of those surveyed by YouGov in Mid and West Wales said they will continue to access NHS services using the new ways that have been introduced as a result of the pandemic. The new methods include making more use of pharmacists; virtual GP consultations and using the NHS 111 online and telephone services.