Court told 58-year-old turned to the drug following a life-changing motorcycle accident

A PEMBROKE DOCK man who said he used cannabis to manage chronic pain has been banned from driving for 12 months after testing above the legal drug-drive limit.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Simon Mills, 58, was stopped by police while driving his Range Rover along Queen Street, Pembroke Dock, at around 3pm on April 10.

After providing a positive roadside saliva test, Mills was taken to a police station, where a blood sample was obtained.

Tests showed he had 3.1 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, per litre of blood. The legal limit is two micrograms.

Mills, of Old School Court, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates this week.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Mills had begun using cannabis to manage pain caused by a serious motorcycle accident several years ago.

“He was put on extremely strong medication, but this resulted in a very difficult period for him,” Mr Lloyd told the court.

“He lost his construction business, he ended up homeless, and cannabis has helped him tremendously with his pain relief.

“Compared with the medication he was taking, the use of cannabis has been life-changing for him.”

Mr Lloyd said Mills would not have attempted to drive that day had he believed the cannabis had impaired his ability to do so.

Magistrates disqualified Mills from driving for 12 months and fined him £120.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge.

Ukrainian driver was over the legal alcohol limit when his Mercedes struck another vehicle in Pembroke Dock

A DAIRY farm worker has been banned from driving after his Mercedes collided with another vehicle in a McDonald’s car park while he was over the legal alcohol limit.

Police were called to the restaurant car park in Pembroke Dock on June 28 following reports that a Mercedes driven by Bob Rustam had struck the rear nearside of another vehicle.

Rustam, 33, gave a positive roadside breath test when officers arrived.

He was taken to a police station, where an evidential breath test returned a reading of 44 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Rustam, of Langdon Mill, Begelly, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

The proceedings were translated for him by a Ukrainian interpreter.

Defending, solicitor Jess Hill said Rustam had lived in the UK since January after coming to Pembrokeshire to work on a local dairy farm.

“On the day of the incident, it was his only day off and he was at McDonald’s waiting to meet a friend,” she said.

“He greatly regrets his actions and is very sorry for what he has done.”

Magistrates disqualified Rustam from driving for 13 months and fined him £576.

He was also ordered to pay a £230 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

The court told Rustam that the disqualification did not prevent him from driving vehicles on private farmland.

Court shown body-worn footage of violent confrontation at Goodwick property

A COURT has been shown police body-worn footage capturing the moment a mother assaulted a social worker and two police officers at her home in north Pembrokeshire.

The incident took place on June 5, when social worker Bethan Griffiths attended the Goodwick property of Danielle Simmons, in Stop and Call.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Simmons prevented Ms Griffiths from entering the property and began threatening her with violence.

“When Bethan Griffiths arrived, the defendant prevented her from entering the property, slurring her speech and threatening the social worker with violence,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told the court.

Simmons was heard shouting: “F*** off or I’ll punch your ugly little face in.”

When Ms Griffiths reached the front door, Simmons threatened to throw a cup of coffee over her.

In a statement given to police, Ms Griffiths said: “I do my job to help children and families, not to be threatened.

“I had only worked with the defendant for two weeks, but that day I had to leave for my own safety.”

As a result of Simmons’ behaviour, the social worker requested immediate police assistance.

“When the officers arrived, the defendant began shouting and swearing at them and was actively resistant,” Ms James continued.

“One of the officers was headbutted twice by Simmons, clawed to the face and grabbed by the throat.”

Simmons was eventually restrained, handcuffed and taken to hospital for medical checks.

However, the prosecution said her violent behaviour continued after she arrived at the hospital.

“She attempted to headbutt the officer but missed, before kicking her in the thigh, causing pain, redness and soreness,” Ms James said.

“Her level of violence was unacceptable and disturbing, particularly when she headbutted the officer in the presence of children.”

The officer described her fear during the confrontation in a victim impact statement read to the court.

“I felt she seriously intended to harm me,” she said.

“If my size and restraining skills had not been in my favour, this could have ended very differently.”

The officer sustained bruising and cuts to the side of her face, a cut finger, a sore throat caused by Simmons grabbing her neck, and a headache.

Simmons, 35, pleaded guilty to the common assault of Bethan Griffiths and two charges of assaulting police officers in the execution of their duty.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said that since Simmons’ release from custody in 2019, her primary focus had been safeguarding and caring for her family.

“The last seven years have been a very long period of stability for her, during which she has done everything she can for her children,” he said.

“This was just a blip.

“She let herself down tremendously, but her family is the most important thing to her, and she has fought extremely hard to get back to where she is today.”

After considering a detailed pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service, magistrates imposed a 12-month community order.

Simmons must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She was also ordered to pay a total of £300 compensation to the two police officers and £100 compensation to the social worker.

She must additionally pay an £85 contribution towards prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.