Crime

Painter and decorator fined for drink-driving

Published

1 year ago

December 3, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE painter and decorator has been dealt a four-figure court payment after being caught driving over the drink-drive limit.

Darren O’Leary, 45, was stopped by officers just before midnight on November 12 as he drove his Peugeot Partner van through Freemans Way, Haverfordwest.

After smelling alcohol inside the vehicle, officers carried out a roadside breath test which proved positive. Further breath tests at the police station revealed that O’Leary, of Castleton Grove, Haverfordwest, had 45 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

O’Leary pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before a District Judge sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week. His solicitor, David Williams, said: “He’d had a few drinks but then an argument started so he decided the best course of action would be to go for a drive to let things settle down.”

Williams added that O’Leary, a painter and decorator, regularly drives considerable distances to carry out contracts and is distressed about losing his licence.

After considering the mitigation, District Judge Mark Layton fined O’Leary £800 and ordered him to pay a £320 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

“When you drink, you put lives at risk,” said Judge Layton when imposing the sentence.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.

Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.

Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.

Crime

Milford Haven man given extra unpaid work after breaching court order

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates add hours after missed appointments

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.

Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.

Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.

Crime

Dorset man stopped at Fishguard ferry given domestic violence order

Published

3 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates told of 13 prior incidents as protection order imposed

A DORSET man was stopped by police at Fishguard Harbour while attempting to travel to Ireland and has now been made subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

Nathaniel Cruickshank, aged 22, of Gillingham, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

The court heard he had travelled to Pembrokeshire on January 30 and was intercepted at the ferry port while planning to board a sailing to Ireland with his partner, prompting police intervention.

Magistrates were told Cruickshank has a lengthy history of domestic violence and abusive behaviour, with officers having attended 13 separate incidents involving him.

Prosecutors outlined a number of previous allegations, including an incident in which he punched his mother in the face and another where he smashed a family television with a guitar after being refused money.

The court also heard that on January 29 a protected person attended their GP surgery expressing fear of him, triggering safeguarding measures.

Police subsequently served a Domestic Violence Protection Notice, and Cruickshank was later arrested at Fishguard.

Magistrates granted a 28-day Domestic Violence Protection Order preventing him from threatening or using violence, making any direct or indirect contact with the protected person, or returning to her address.

Issuing a warning in court, magistrates told him any breach would have serious consequences.

Cruickshank was ordered to pay £284 in costs to Dyfed-Powys Police.

Domestic Violence Protection Order is a civil safeguarding measure and does not amount to a criminal conviction.