Crime
New Year’s Day drink-driver sentenced by magistrates
A NEW YEAR’S DAY car journey turned into a life-changing error for a Haverfordwest motorist after he was found to be over the legal drink-drive limit.
Andrew Beattie, 50, was stopped by police officers as he drove his Citroen Berlingo along the A40 at Treffgarne soon after midday on January 1.
“Officers caused the vehicle to stop as it was shown as having no insurance,” Crown Prosecutor Kelly
Rivers told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“But when they spoke to the defendant, who was the driver, officers noticed a smell of intoxicants on him.”
A roadside breath test proved positive and Beattie, of Keats Grove, Haverfordwest, was conveyed to a police custody suite and asked to provide further breath tests. The lowest test showed he had 46 mcg of alcohol in his system. The specified limit is 35.
Beattie, who pleaded guilty to the charge of drink driving, was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.
“He’d been out on New Year’s Eve and didn’t drive until lunchtime the following day, but he was still over the limit,” he said.
Mr Kelleher went on to say that Beattie owned two vans, one of which was no longer road worthy.
“But it turned out that it was that van which was insured, not the one which he was driving on New Year’s Day,” he said. “It was a complete mix-up. And as a result, it’s possible that he’s now going to have to leave his employment and also lose his house. This is going to be a disaster for him.”
Beattie was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was ordered to pay a total of £421, comprising fines amounting to £240, £85 costs and a £96 court surcharge
Crime
Driver given interim ban after A478 crash
Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen
A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.
Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the 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 on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person 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 sentence.
Crime
Dock motorist avoids jail after drug-drive crash
A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked BMW.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that on September 27, 2025, Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home and drove off without her consent.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall.
“The wall collapsed as a result of the impact, causing damage to a parked BMW,” she said.
The owner of the BMW said the vehicle suffered bodywork damage and scratching following the incident.
When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system, more than five times the legal limit of 50.
The court heard that although Brundrett’s mother confirmed the car was hers, she did not wish to criminalise 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.
Defending, Alaw Harries said: “He accepts his behaviour was foolish and irresponsible and wishes to apologise to the court for what took place.
“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties. This was the first and last time he has taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. While that is not an excuse, it provides context. He is now in a much better place.”
Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Dock driver avoids jail after drug-drive crash in mother’s car
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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