A DRUG dealer who evaded capture for over a year has been arrested after returning home disguised in NHS scrubs and a lanyard. Lynne Leyson, 53, from Carmarthen, fled after being convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs, along with possession of criminal property, in May 2023.

Leyson was finally apprehended after 16 months on the run, when she returned to her family farm in Pibwr to say her goodbyes. She was arrested on 16 September 2024 and has had an additional two months added to her nine-year prison sentence for failing to surrender to authorities.

During her time as a fugitive, extensive efforts were made to track Leyson, including the involvement of Interpol. Swansea Crown Court heard that the search included border checks, wanted person posters, and the analysis of her associates’ travel patterns. Prosecuting barrister Ieuan Rees explained that authorities had conducted a wide-ranging investigation, which also included social media monitoring.

Leyson had been convicted alongside her partner and son in May 2023 for their roles in the drug operation. However, she failed to appear for sentencing in July of the same year and was sentenced in absentia in September 2023. Her partner and son, who had reportedly used guns, knives, and Doberman dogs to intimidate locals suspicious of the activities at the remote farm, were also sentenced at that time.

The arrest took place after Leyson, dressed in NHS scrubs and wearing a lanyard, returned to the family farm. The NHS-branded items have been handed over to the health board for further investigation, with suggestions they may have been part of a “fancy dress” disguise. Defence barrister Hywel Davies claimed the costume was not intended for deception, but rather as part of a plan for Leyson to hand herself in.

Judge Catherine Richards, addressing Leyson via video-link from Eastwood Park Prison, described her actions as “deliberate and sophisticated”. Leyson’s decision to abscond added significant complications to the case, which involved international authorities in the search.

Leyson’s additional two-month sentence will run consecutively with her existing nine-year term.

A 61-YEAR-OLD Dock man who was found to be obstructing police officers when he was clearly intoxicated has appeared before magistrates for being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Officers were called to attend an unrelated incident in Dairy Park Grove, Hakin at around 5.15 pm on September 22. 

There they discovered Stuart Findlay in an intoxicated state.

“They saw the defendant who was being disorderly and was clearly drunk,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was asked to leave because he was obstructing the officers, but he started to get aggressive.”

Findlay eventually left the scene, however ten minutes later, he returned.

“He was removed to a police van but he began clenching his fists and his jaw” continued Ms James.  

“The officers thought there would be some violence ensuing, so they used reasonable force to push him to the floor.”

Findlay pleaded guilty to the charge of being drunk and disorderly.  He chose to be unrepresented in court and said nothing in his mitigation.

He was fined £166 and ordered to pay £75 costs and a £66 court surcharge.

A MAN who was due to be sentenced this week for obstructing a train at Shrewsbury Railway Station has had his case adjourned yet again after failing to accept a call from an assessment psychologist.

Gareth Richards, 42, of Princess Royal Way, Haverfordwest, was listed for sentence by Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday (October 8), after pleading guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing.  He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Russell Croft by beating at Shrewsbury Railway Station and using threatening words and behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.  All three offences took place on December 2, 2023.

Following his guilty pleas, made before Haverfordwest magistrates on September 17, his sentencing was adjourned for a probation report to be prepared.  But this week probation officer Julie Norman informed magistrates that Richards had failed to answer a telephone call made by a psychologist assessor the day before his sentencing.

“He didn’t answer his phone so that the assessment couldn’t be made,” she said.

“It appears that he prioritised a job interview over the appointment.”

As a result. sentencing was adjourned to next Monday, October 14, and Richards was released on conditional bail, the condition being to report to Haverfordwest Police Station.