Crime

Driver caught over limit after parking 4×4 in Saundersfoot

Published

1 year ago

February 4, 2025

WHEN 48-year-old motorist Joanne Sanders parked her 4×4 in the centre of Saundersfoot in the early hours of January 11, she was apprehended by police officers who requested her to carry out a roadside breath test.

And as a result of the reading, Sanders was this week brought before magistrates where she pleaded guilty to driving over the legal drink-drive limit.

This week the Haverfordwest bench was told that police officers watched Sanders drive her Diahatsu Terios through Wogan Terrace and on into Cambrian Place just before 1am on January 11.

“They saw the lights of the vehicle turn off, and the police officers pulled in behind,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

“They spoke to the driver [Joanne Sanders] who smelt strongly of intoxicants and her speech was somewhat slurred.”

A roadside breath test proved positive while subsequent breath tests at the police station showed she had 42 mcg of alcohol in her system. The legal limit is 35.

Sanders, of Colborn Street, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to the offence. Choosing to be legally unrepresented, she said that the incident was the culmination of a spate of bad luck.

“I’d been going through a lot of things,” she said. “I’d just lost my home, my car, my job and I’d split up with my partner of 26 years. I’ve lost everything, and I’m very sorry for what I’ve done.”

Sanders was disqualified from driving for 14 months. She was fined £135 and ordered to pay £100 court costs and a £54 surcharge.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

12 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

13 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.