News
Burst pipe warning from Welsh Water as big freeze looms
WELSH WATER has warned its customers to take action to protect against frozen and burst pipes as researchers predict a cold snap bringing plunging temperatures and snow. The Beast from the East 2 is set to bringing freezing cold temperatures to Wales.
Temperatures are expected to plummet below 0°C for most of the UK. On Sunday night it was 2°C at Cardiff Airport, but with a wind-chill making it feel more like -4°C
New research from polling company YouGov found that nearly 40% of people didn’t know how to lag outdoor pipes – which are most susceptible to freezing – and a total of 63% had never attempted this before.
Nearly a quarter of respondents in Wales said they had experienced frozen pipes in their home before, while 16% had experienced a burst pipe – which can cost thousands of pounds worth of damage.
The Met Office said the bitterly cold weather will be caused by strong easterly winds that have battered the country from Ukraine and the Black Sea.
The forecast for Monday is: “Bitterly cold for all. Feeling colder with wind chill in the brisk easterly wind. On Tuesday, cold air continues to flood over the UK, with snow showers and brisk east winds.”
When temperatures drop, the water in your pipes and taps can freeze. Frozen water expands and can crack even in the strongest metal pipe. You may not notice this immediately, and only know you have a problem when the cracked pipe thaws and water starts leaking from it.
Welsh Water offers limited free lagging kits to customers to protect exposed pipes and outdoor taps, which can be found on dwrcymru.com.
Crime
Grandmother banned after cocaine drug-drive offence
A GRANDMOTHER has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel with 800 mcg of a cocaine metabolite in her system.
Eleri Phillips, 57, was stopped by police in the early hours of December 18 as she drove her Audi Q5 along Derwent Avenue, Steynton.
A roadside drugs swipe proved positive, and further blood tests carried out at the police station showed she had 45 mcg of cocaine in her system and 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.
The legal limits are 10 mcg and 50 mcg respectively.
Phillips, of Brook Close, Steynton, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. She was legally represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.
“She is absolutely ashamed of what has happened,” Mr Kelleher told the court.
“She had been out with friends that evening and someone offered her cocaine. Very foolishly, she took it.
“As a result, she is now going to be disqualified from driving, which is going to cause problems not only for her but for her family, as she regularly helps look after her grandchildren with general pick-ups from school.”
Phillips was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.
Crime
Milford Haven builder banned for second drug-driving offence
Court hears cannabis reading was five times the legal limit
A SELF-EMPLOYED builder has been banned from the road after committing his second drug-driving offence in ten years.
Robert Duncan, 44, was stopped by police at around 6:00pm on January 31 as he drove a Ford Focus along Steynton Road, Milford Haven.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that officers had been observing the vehicle before requesting it to stop.
Duncan provided a positive roadside drugs wipe, and later blood tests showed he had 10mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told magistrates that this was Duncan’s second drug-driving offence within ten years.
Duncan, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.
He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said Duncan had believed the drug would have left his system by the time he got behind the wheel.
“He believed the drug would have been out of his system when he was driving, but it can take a considerable length of time to go,” said Mr Kelleher.
“In fact, this is the drug that takes the longest amount of time.”
Mr Kelleher said Duncan worked as a self-employed builder, but was currently unable to work large amounts of time because of family commitments.
Magistrates disqualified Duncan from driving for three years. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.
Crime
Woman sentenced over neglect of child at Haverfordwest property
Court hears defendant was found under the influence in town centre late at night
A 40-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire woman has been sentenced after admitting assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting and abandoning a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that at around 11:00pm on July 28, 2025, police officers on duty in Haverfordwest town centre saw the defendant attempting to make her way along the road.
“She was clearly under the influence of drink and drugs,” Ms Vaughan said.
Officers escorted the woman back to her property, where she struggled to find her keys.
“At this point, she stated there was a child, aged between eleven and twelve, inside the property who had been there for around two hours, between 9:00pm and 11:00pm,” said Ms Vaughan.
The defendant pleaded guilty to assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting and abandoning the child.
She was represented by solicitor Jess Hill, who told the court the woman had begun using alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with childhood trauma.
“But since then she has significantly reduced her alcohol intake and now wants to engage with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her further,” said Ms Hill.
After considering a detailed probation report, magistrates fined the defendant £80 and ordered her to pay a £32 surcharge.
No prosecution costs were awarded due to the length of time it had taken for the case to be brought before the court.
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