Crime

Fishguard motorist falls asleep at wheel after downing eight pints

Published

2 months ago

October 8, 2024

A MOTORIST who decided to drive home after watching what he described as “a big rugby match,” during which he consumed approximately eight pints of alcohol, fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a parked vehicle.

This week, a court heard that on the night of 22 September 2023, Ryan McVeigh, 32, made what his solicitor described as “a disastrous mistake.”

“He very, very stupidly decided to drive,” solicitor Michael Kelleher told Haverfordwest magistrates.

McVeigh, of Clement Road, Goodwick, was driving near Windy Hall, Fishguard, when he fell asleep at the wheel.

“It was at 4:30 am, and police received a call from the defendant, informing them that he’d fallen asleep at the wheel and had crashed into another vehicle parked at the side of the road,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told the court.

After giving the officers directions to his location, they found him at the scene of the incident.

“The defendant appeared intoxicated,” continued Ms James. “He was sitting on the pavement next to his car, which had extensive damage to its front bumper and was on the wrong side of the road. Its hazard lights were on, and the other vehicle appeared to have been shunted a fair distance down the road, blocking a lane.”

When questioned by the officers, he told them he’d been to a big rugby match and had consumed around eight pints.

Intoximeter tests conducted at the police station showed McVeigh had 87 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The defendant, who pleaded guilty to driving whilst unfit through drink, was represented by Michael Kelleher.

“It would have been easy for him to run away into the darkness,” said Mr Kelleher. “But he stayed at the scene and was more honest than most people when speaking to the police.”

McVeigh, a self-employed builder with no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for 18 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £120 court surcharge.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

18 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

19 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: