Crime
Former Learning Support Assistant sold drugs to child, 15
A FORMER school learning support assistant has been jailed for selling drugs to a teenager.
Bethan Picton, of Nubian Crescent, Hakin, stood before Swansea Crown Court charged with involvement in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, LSD, and cannabis, alongside drug possession.
Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini explained that police approached Picton while she was sitting in her car at Brunel Quay, Neyland, on 27 April last year after receiving information linking her to drug activities.
During the encounter, officers discovered a one-gram bag of cannabis and a grinder in her car, leading to her arrest for possession.
A subsequent search of Picton’s home revealed additional drugs, including £50 worth of LSD, £80 of cocaine, and £10 of MDMA.
Analysis of Picton’s seized phone uncovered messages dating back to September 2022, indicating she had been selling drugs.
The exchanges showed that Picton sold drugs to a 15-year-old, who appeared to be purchasing for their 17-year-old partner. According to Ms Carpanini, Picton inquired about the buyer’s age but proceeded with the sale even after learning they were 15.
During questioning, Picton claimed the drugs were for her personal use and insisted there would be no evidence of dealing on her phone.
She also stated that the only bank deposits were repayments from two friends she had loaned money to. However, Ms Carpanini informed the court that investigations revealed multiple payments totaling around £5,700 into her account over a six-month span.
Picton had a prior conviction for drug-driving, having previously been caught driving under the influence of cannabis and cocaine—an offence that led to her dismissal from her role as a learning support assistant.
The court heard that 27-year-old Picton had struggled with drug addiction. Her lawyer, Jon Tarrant, explained that the delay in her guilty plea stemmed from fear about the consequences of her actions.
“She was genuinely terrified of what would come next,” he said. “This situation unfolded over a relatively short period of around seven months.”
He acknowledged the seriousness of dealing in Class A drugs, adding: “There’s only one outcome for those who engage in this kind of activity.”
Judge Catherine Richards, in sentencing, emphasized the harm caused by Class A drug use. “These substances destroy lives—both those who use them and the people close to them,” she said.
Commenting on the sale to the 15-year-old, Judge Richards remarked: “It is shocking that someone who once worked with children would make such decisions.”
Picton received a three-year prison sentence.
Crime
Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’
A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.
Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.
“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”
Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.
Crime
Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road
A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.
Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.
“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.
Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.
Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.
He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”
Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.
“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.
Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit
A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.
Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.
“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.
A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.
After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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