Crime
Disqualified driver jailed for ferry offence in Pembroke Dock
A MECHANICAL engineer has been jailed after he drove a BMW off the Pembroke Dock ferry despite being a disqualified driver.
James Phillips, who was disqualified from driving in 2022 and again in October 2023, was seen driving a vehicle off the ferry into Pembroke Dock just before 1:00 am on November 11.
This week, Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton that Phillips, 35, claimed during a police interview that he believed his disqualification had ended. However, in court, he alleged he had arranged for another person to drive the car off the ferry.
“If he believed his disqualification had ended, why arrange for someone to come and collect the car?” questioned Ms Vaughan.
Phillips claimed he’d gone to Ireland to purchase the car for his partner, arranging for it to be driven onto the ferry, but the driver failed to assist in Pembroke Dock, prompting Phillips to drive. Officers on duty at the port witnessed the incident.
Judge Layton, after considering the facts, sentenced Phillips to eight weeks’ custody. Phillips, of Gerdd Lingfield, Whitland, will serve half in custody and the remainder on post-sentence supervision. He was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 28 months.
Crime
Motorist almost three times over drink limit
A MOTORIST who was nearly three times over the drink-drive limit has been sentenced following a crash on the B4314 in Pendine.
Stuart Rickford, 43, was driving his Audi at 1:30pm on November 15 when he collided with another vehicle.
“There were no injuries, but when officers spoke to the defendant they had a strong smell of intoxicants,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court.
A roadside breath test proved positive, and Rickford, of Beach Hotel, Marsh Road, Pendine, later gave a reading of 93 mcg of alcohol at the police station. The legal limit is 35.
Rickford pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 80 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 23 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Man jailed for threats at Withybush Hospital
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sentenced to seven days in custody after threatening to harm members of the public at Withybush Hospital.
Wayne Tydeman, 42, made threats while speaking to a community practice nurse following his release from a 24-week custodial sentence.
“He was on post-sentence supervision, and this is the first breach,” probation officer Julie Norman told the court.
Tydeman, of Dew Street, Haverfordwest, was remanded in custody and appeared via video link from Park Prison. His solicitor said his mental health had improved during his time in custody.
Judge Layton sentenced him to seven days in custody, warning: “If you fail to engage in the future, the sentence will be considerably longer.”
Crime
Steynton woman fined for breaching protection order
A DECISION to name a serving police officer in a Facebook post has resulted in a court conviction for Steynton’s Lisa Thomas.
On August 28, Thomas, 34, posted the officer’s name on Facebook, breaching a community protection notice.
Thomas, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, told the court she didn’t understand her actions breached the order. “I’m not a criminal, and I don’t understand how the police can access my private Facebook page,” she said.
Thomas pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £80, with a £42 court surcharge imposed.
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