News
Driving ban for drink driver
A NEWPORT man has been disqualified from driving for 15 months after he pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving.
Phillip Morris, aged 29, of Maes Ingli, Newport, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Feb 17).
Morris also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of 10 grams of cannabis.
Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “On December 3 at twenty-five minutes past nine, officers were on patrol in a marked police vehicle. They caused a Renault Clio car to stop and when the officer walked up to the driver’s window he could smell a strong stench of cannabis.
He was detained for a search and asked if he had any cannabis on him but he said no. However, the officer found two bags in the driver side door. He confirmed that the cannabis was his. The officer also noticed a smell of alcohol and he gave a positive roadside sample.
The cannabis was inspected and the 10 grams has a value of £60. At the station the reading that came through on the intoxilyser machine was under 50 and he was given the chance to provide a different sample. He gave a urine sample which returned a reading of 145 milligrams per 100 millilitres. The limit is 107. This offence was committed whilst on bail for another offence.”
Defending, Gareth Phillips said: “This has been an unfortunate time for him as prior to his first offence on November 24 2014 he was of clean character. He says he had three cans of lager which he brought from the Tesco store in Goodwick. The police car approached him and he was stopped and he is before the court today. He says that the cannabis was for his own use. I would ask that you offer him the drink drive awareness course. He works as a scaffolder and a period of disqualification will impact on his job but he is hopeful his employers will keep him on.”
For the offence of drink driving he was fined £180 and disqualified for 15 months.
For the second offence he was fined £120 and he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and £85 in court costs.
A forfeit and destruction order was also made for the drugs.
Crime
Former Pembroke Dock mayor admits child abuse image charges
AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 10), former Pembroke Dock Mayor Terry Judkins has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.
Judkins, who held office as mayor from May 2021 until his resignation in November 2021, faced multiple charges related to child abuse images.
The court heard that Judkins was charged with creating two Category C indecent images of children and possessing a prohibited image of a child during a period spanning from September 27, 2018, to August 5, 2021.
The 55-year-old admitted to these offences in a hearing that has drawn considerable attention.
However, Judkins denied charges related to possessing extreme pornographic images that depicted bestiality, covering a timeline from January 2010 to August 2021.
Prosecutor Helen Randall indicated that the Crown would pursue a trial on these allegations given Judkins’ not guilty plea.
Additional charges against Judkins include making 52 Category A indecent images of children within the same dates as his earlier admissions.
The former mayor has been granted extra time to consider his plea on this charge, with a future court appearance scheduled for a later date.
This case has cast a shadow over Judkins’ brief tenure as mayor. He resigned last year citing personal reasons and extra work commitments.
News
Welsh rally star eyeing second British championship success
OSAIN PRYCE is eyeing his second British Rally Championship (BRC) title after a recording a superb victory in the Severn Valley Stages.
The Welsh star and co-driver Rhodri Evans finished 20 seconds ahead of Irish driver William Creighton, with championship leader Chris Ingram claiming third place.
The result left Pryce 15 points adrift of Ingram after two rounds and boosted his chances of adding to his 2022 British title success.
Pryce was excellent in his Ford Fiesta Rally2, wowing the sizeable crowds who lined iconic stages such as Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin.
The Welshman established an early lead over Ingram before withstanding a charge by Creighton to claim his first BRC victory since Rally Yorkshire in 2022.
“It’s a big relief – I’m so happy to get the win,” Pryce said. “We had a dodgy couple of stages at the end, and to be honest, it was so slippy, but I drove at a pace where I was comfortable.
“I did lose some time, which in the end wasn’t too bad, but we certainly had some hairy moments just trying to keep it on the road. Credit to everyone who’s got me here. Top job from Rhodri too – that’s his first-ever win!
While Ingram currently leads the standings by four points from Creighton, the Irishman could be the biggest threat to Pryce’s title hopes.
He is still getting to grips with his new Ford Fiesta Rally2 car, but has recorded back-to-back second place finishes to force his way into contention.
Bettors in Creighton’s homeland have backed their compatriot to emerge victorious this season, forcing bookmakers to cut his odds to win the title.
Several of the best Irish betting sites also make him the favourite to win the upcoming Jim Clark Rally in Scotland later this month.
However, Pryce will fancy his chances of claiming another victory as he strives to follow up his impressive 2022 British title success.
The Welshman won four of the seven events that season to clinch top spot by an emphatic 19-point margin from Keith Cronin.
With two of the final four rallies of the season set to be staged in Wales, Pryce could be a good bet to upset the odds over the next few months.
He has previously won Rali Ceredigion and the Cambrian Rally, which should give him the confidence he needs to secure another British title.
Farming
King Charles III is new Royal Welsh Agricultural Society patron
KING CHARLES III has continued a royal tradition by agreeing to become the new patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).
As Prince of Wales, he consistently supported the RWAS, having visited the Royal Welsh Show seven times from 1969 to 2019 and he opened the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in 2001.
“To have the monarch as our patron is very special,” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive. “We are immensely grateful to His Majesty for continuing his support to the society.
“He is a true champion of rural matters and has a deep affection for Wales. His support as patron will be a great endorsement to the work we do in promoting Welsh agriculture.”
The decision follows a review of the patronages of the late Queen, the former Prince of Wales and the former Duchess of Cornwall. The letter from Buckingham Palace to the RWAS read: ‘His Majesty would be delighted to accept’.
The Queen was patron of the RWAS for 70 years and showed great support. Her support reflected her long-lasting interest in Welsh agriculture, horticulture and rural affairs.
The Queen’s first official role with the RWAS was as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, when she was honorary president. She undertook a triumphant tour of the showground during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen.
The late Queen had followed her late father, George VI, and her grandfather, George V in accepting the patronage.
King George V first became patron as Prince of Wales in 1907 and formally as King in 1911. His Silver Challenge Cup for the best Welsh Cob then became known as the George Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, one of the most famous cups presented at the Royal Welsh Show annually.
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