Crime
Motorist disqualified after cannabis-fuelled traffic collision
A 21-YEAR-OLD driver has been disqualified after a traffic pile-up on the A40 following cannabis use.
Officers attended Arnold’s Hill, Slebech, on March 29 in response to a multi-vehicle collision involving Kayleigh Taylor, 21, whose Toyota Aygo was on the opposite carriageway.
“There was a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle, so a drugs wipe was conducted, which returned a positive result,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. Further tests showed Taylor had 7.7 mcg of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, above the legal limit of 2.
Taylor, of Princess Royal Way, Haverfordwest, admitted to driving over the specified drug-drive limit and possessing 266.1 grams of cannabis found in her vehicle.
District Judge Mark Layton sentenced her to a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was disqualified from driving for 17 months, fined £80, and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Woman admits intentional strangulation in Fishguard assault
A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has been sent to Crown Court for sentencing after admitting the intentional strangulation of a man at her property.
Holly James, 33, pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place at her home on Hamilton Street, Fishguard, on the night of March 14, 2024.
District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court, was told that following an argument, James pinned the victim to the sofa, placing her hands around his throat and restricting his breathing for five to ten seconds.
After reviewing a probation report, Judge Layton declared his sentencing powers insufficient, and James will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on December 3. She was released on conditional bail.
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
Beach ‘scuffle’ leads to charges after cannabis smell
WHEN police officers detected what they believed to be cannabis emanating from a couple walking along the beach at Tenby, they requested an on-the-spot search.
This week, District Judge Mark Layton viewed video footage of what officers described as a “scuffle” that broke out when the couple were informed of the search.
Jasmin McNally, 33, and Darren Hopkins, 40, were seen walking near South Beach, Tenby, in the early hours of October 24.
Body-worn footage showed officers stating that, due to the smell of cannabis, they wished to conduct a search. A scuffle then ensued, leading to the couple running toward the South Beach car park.
McNally and Hopkins, of Miles Court Cottages, Leominster, denied assaulting an emergency worker by beating and obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty. Both defendants chose to represent themselves and elected a Crown Court trial. They will next appear before Swansea Crown Court on December 13.
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