Crime

Crown court judge orders unusual no-insurance case back to magistrates

Published

7 months ago

October 3, 2025

A ROUTINE no-insurance conviction against a pensioner has developed into an unusually complex legal battle, after Swansea Crown Court ruled that magistrates must take another look at whether a guilty plea entered two years ago was in fact valid.

The case concerns Niall Taylor, 75, of Haven Drive, Milford Haven, who was convicted at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in September 2023 of driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

At Thursday’s hearing (Oct 2) before Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards, Mr Taylor, representing himself, told the court he had pleaded guilty in 2023 only because he did not have his insurance documents with him. He said he had been assured in open court that if he later found the paperwork he could return under section 142 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 to have the case reopened.

Judge Richards explained that normally the Crown Court cannot hear an appeal after a guilty plea. “The main purpose of today’s hearing is to find out if Mr Taylor’s plea in the Magistrates’ Court in 2023 was equivocal,” she said. “The Crown Court has no power to allow an appeal after a guilty plea was made by a defendant, but there are special circumstances in which this can be done.”

Mr Taylor then entered the witness box and was sworn. In his evidence he said that at the time of his original hearing in September 2023 he was advised to plead guilty as he did not have his insurance documents with him, but he was assured by the magistrates that he could later return to court under section 142 if he found them. He explained that, although he later attempted to have the case reopened, those attempts were unsuccessful, leading to his appeal now being considered at Swansea Crown Court.

The judge invited the Crown Prosecution Service to make observations, but they declined. Judge Richards then announced that the case would be sent back to the magistrates’ court.

“This is no criticism of the magistrates in Llanelli who refused to reopen the case, nor is it an indication as to my view of Mr Taylor’s prospects of success,” she said.

The judge referred to correspondence from the insurance company suggesting that an expired driving licence would invalidate cover, but also noted that Mr Taylor’s argument rested on policy wording that extends cover to those who “have held and are not disqualified from holding” a licence. “These are obviously complex legal issues,” she said, directing the CPS to research the point before the next hearing.

The matter will now return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 14, at 11:00am.

This case is considered unusual for several reasons. Mr Taylor’s guilty plea in 2023 was not straightforward — he pleaded guilty only on the understanding that he could return if he later found his insurance paperwork. Such pleas are rare and create a procedural grey area. The question of whether failing to renew a driving licence is enough to invalidate insurance cover is also legally uncertain, particularly when policy wording refers to drivers who “have held” a licence and are not disqualified.

It is unusual for the Crown Court to intervene in this way, sending a case back to magistrates for reconsideration and instructing the CPS to research the law. The fact that Mr Taylor is representing himself against such complex arguments added to the judge’s decision to ensure the matter is properly tested.

Legal commentators suggest this could now develop into a landmark case on whether older drivers — particularly those who forget to renew their licence at the age of 70 — automatically lose their insurance cover, or whether policy wording protects them where they still hold the entitlement to drive.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

37 minutes ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.