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Crime

Mother sentenced after drinking heavily while caring for toddler alone

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Police forced entry after hearing child’s voice inside darkened home

A HAVERFORDWEST mother has been sentenced after drinking heavily while left in sole charge of her two-year-old child.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of the child, appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard officers were called to her home on the night of March 12, 2025, following concerns about the amount of alcohol she had consumed while caring for the toddler.

Prosecutor Nia James said police received reports that she had been drinking into the early hours.

“Officers were told she had consumed nine cans of lager and two cans of gin and tonic,” she said.

“And this was happening while she was caring for her two-year-old child.”

When officers arrived at the property, they found it in complete darkness. Despite repeated knocking, kicking and using a baton on the door for around 30 minutes, there was no response.

“Inside, they could hear a childlike voice which led them to believe the child was alone,” said Ms James. “Officers tried to gain access to save life or limb.”

Police eventually forced entry by breaking the lock with a hammer.

Once inside, they called out to the defendant and found her in bed, unresponsive at first.

“They were initially concerned for her welfare and began checking for signs of life,” the prosecutor said. “She smelled strongly of alcohol but became responsive, although she struggled to answer simple questions.”

The two-year-old child was found alone in another room. The court heard the youngster appeared unfazed by the police presence.

During interview, the woman told officers she believed she would have woken if the child had cried.

The child is now in the care of social services.

The defendant pleaded guilty to causing neglect, abandonment and ill treatment of a child likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order. She must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and undertake a 19-day alcohol monitoring programme. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

When passing sentence, the presiding magistrate asked: “Do you love your child? If you do, do you think this is a good way to proceed? You really need to make more of an effort.”

 

Crime

Dock driver avoids jail after drug-drive crash in mother’s car

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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.

 

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Crime

Driver banned after A478 crash and walkaway

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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.

 

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Crime

Driver trapped after crash while nearly four times over drink-drive limit

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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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