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.

DYFED-POWYS POLICE said this week that they are delivering tailored vulnerability training to colleges and universities, aiming to safeguard students most at risk of sexual violence in the nighttime economy.

The programme specifically targets students aged 16 to 23, a group identified as being disproportionately affected by gender-based violence. This initiative delivers two strands of work: training for staff and teachers to help them identify risks and respond to disclosures, and interactive sessions for students to equip them with tools to recognise and respond to harassment and violence.

Focus on staff and students

Superintendent Chris Neve, Dyfed-Powys Police’s prevention lead, explained:
“As part of our prevention work, we’ve identified a group – namely college and university students – who are at high risk of sexual harassment and violence while out at night. This programme seeks to equip both students and those who work with them with the knowledge they need to stay safe.

“Our aim is to empower young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to recognise and respond to sexual harassment and violence. By working closely with educators and student services, we can also ensure that staff are well-prepared to support victims and address inappropriate behaviours effectively.

“We are committed to ending violence against women and girls, and to achieve this, the entire community must work together. This project forms part of a wider strategy spanning generations, from schoolchildren to police officers and our partners.”

Positive engagement and results

So far, over 600 students have participated in awareness events, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Staff report increased confidence in handling disclosures, while students found advice on spotting potential offenders invaluable.

The programme also includes workshops on sextortion, focusing on identifying offences, reporting procedures, and accessing support. Upcoming online events will provide more in-depth guidance on managing disclosures and staying safe on social media.

Collaborative approach

Dafydd Llywelyn, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, said:
“It is vital that we provide key information to young people and staff in educational settings across Dyfed-Powys. For meaningful change to happen, we must all play our part.”

The Dyfed-Powys Police Upstander Programme is jointly funded by the Home Office Safer Streets 5 fund, aiming to foster attitudinal and behavioural changes to combat violence against women and girls while creating safe community spaces.

In addition to the student-focused training, Dyfed-Powys Police are running several complementary initiatives:

• Vulnerability and awareness training for 14 to 16-year-olds and school staff, delivered through educational performances.
• Man Ally training for police officers, staff, and partners to promote proactive allyship.
• A public awareness campaign addressing unacceptable behaviour and raising awareness of sexual harassment in public spaces.

This comprehensive approach underscores the force’s commitment to fostering safer environments and reducing gender-based violence across the community.

NERYS BETHAN LLOYD, 39, a former police officer, has appeared before magistrates charged with the manslaughter of four people who died during a paddleboarding incident in Haverfordwest.

Lloyd, of Jersey Quay, Aberavon, is accused of unlawfully killing Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, Nicola Wheatley, and Paul O’Dwyer. The four victims were part of a stand-up paddleboard tour on the River Cleddau on October 30, 2021, which ended in tragedy.

In addition to the manslaughter charges, Lloyd faces a fifth charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Prosecutors allege that she failed to discharge her general health and safety duties, exposing the victims and others in the group to risks to their health or safety. The alleged failure, which contravenes Section 3(2) of the Act, relates to her role as the sole director of the now-defunct outdoor activity company, Salty Dog Co., which organised the tour.

Lloyd appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier today (Tuesday, Dec 3). During the hearing, she submitted no pleas to the charges.

Given the seriousness of the case, Judge Layton declined jurisdiction, and the matter was committed to Swansea Crown Court. Lloyd is set to appear there on January 3. She was released on unconditional bail.

The charges stem from Britain’s worst paddleboarding accident, which claimed the lives of four people after they were caught in a flooded weir on the River Cleddau. A report by the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch found that the group had been trapped by hydraulic towback at the weir, with no means of escape.

Lloyd, who left her position with South Wales Police three months after the tragedy, now works for a community charity. The investigation into the incident, conducted by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch, spanned two years and highlighted safety shortcomings in the organisation of the paddleboarding excursion.

The deaths of the four paddleboarders — Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, and Paul O’Dwyer, 42 — profoundly affected both their families and the wider community. Tributes poured in following the tragedy, with the victims remembered as devoted family members, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Today’s court appearance marks the start of a legal process that has already drawn significant attention and raised questions about safety standards in outdoor water sports.