ALMOST a year to the day that Carl Whatling was convicted of drug-driving, the Milford motorist returned to the dock to plead guilty to driving after taking cocaine.

Whatling, 40, was pulled over by police officers as he drove his VW Polo along the A477 at Cleddau Bridge in the early hours of June 5.

A drugs wipe carried out by officers proved positive while further blood tests at the police station showed he had 200 mcg of the cocaine derivative benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50.

This week Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates that on December 6, 2023, Whatling was convicted of an identical drug-driving charge.

“He was being naive,” his solicitor, Liam Francis, told the Bench after Whatling, of Observatory Avenue, Hakin, pleaded guilty to the charge.

“This was a Wednesday night and he’d taken the substances a few days before. At the time of the offence, he was in a low place and his drug use had increased. He was having very little support from his family and friends.”

Mr Francis went on to say that since the offence was committed, Whatling has been in contact with his GP.

“He now feels that he’s making progress and he’s in a much better place,” he said.

After pleading guilty to the charge, Whatling was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

A WARRANT without bail has been issued for a man accused of stealing over £80 of items from Pennar Post Office in Pembroke Dock.

Sean McGahn, 35, is accused of stealing the items on April 3. The same day he is alleged to have stolen items of an unknown value from Victoria Scott in Pembroke Dock and to have been in possession of cocaine and 17 capsules of the class C controlled drug, Tremadol.

McGhan, of Clos Parc Morgannwg, Leckwith, Cardiff, was listed to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday. Following his failure to attend, magistrates issued a warrant without bail for his arrest.

A 59-YEAR-OLD motorist has admitted driving through Clarbeston Road when he was more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit.

Andrew John was stopped on November 20 as he drove his Vauxhall Monaro through the Market Place, Clarbeston Road. Subsequent breath tests showed he had 89 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

John, of Nant yr Eglwys, Ambleston, pleaded guilty to an additional charge of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Despite his guilty pleas, magistrates adjourned sentencing following a request from probation officer Julie Norman. She said that as a result of John’s previous convictions, a full probation report will be required before sentencing can take place.

The case was adjourned to January 8, and magistrates imposed an interim disqualification which prevents John from driving until his sentencing takes place.