Crime

Dairy farm worker caught drink-driving after whisky binge

Published

3 months ago

February 25, 2025

A DAIRY FARM worker has been sentenced for hitting a kerb before wavering across the A40 dual carriageway after a whisky drinking binge.

Police received calls just after 3:30pm on February 9 that a grey BMW 320 had been seen travelling on the Carmarthen to St Clears road.

“It was swerving to the nearside, collided with a kerb and then began wavering towards the centre line, almost crossing into lane two,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When officers stopped the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by Madalin-Gorge Pascu, 35, who is an employee at the Parc-yr-Abbott dairy farm in St Clears.

A roadside breath test proved positive, while further breath tests carried out at the police custody suite showed he had 69 mcg of alcohol in his breath. The legal limit is 35.

Pascu, who resides in a caravan at Parc yr Abbott Farm, pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge. He was represented in court by solicitor Aled Owen, who said the defendant had been drinking whisky the night before with some work colleagues.

“He works very long, intensive and difficult shifts of between 12 and 14 hours a day,” said Mr Owen.

“The night before, he and some colleagues had been drinking whisky at the farm. The following day he failed to recognise that he wasn’t fit to drive, so this was negligence on his part.

“In future, if he drinks to excess with his colleagues, then he’ll have to be more careful.”

Madaloin-Gorge Pascu was disqualified from driving for 17 months. He was fined £500 and ordered to pay a £200 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sentenced for offensive online messages

Published

2 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been handed a community order after admitting to sending offensive messages via social media.

Steven Butler, aged 39, of Douglas James Way, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to a charge under the Communications Act 2003.

The court was told that between October 23 and October 29, 2024, Butler sent a series of grossly offensive and menacing messages intended to cause distress to the recipient, a female we have chosen not to name

He was sentenced to a 17-month community order, including 25 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months.

A restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting Butler from contacting the woman or referring to her online, except via legal representation in relation to any proceedings.

The restraining order remains in force until November 14, 2026.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Crime

Teenager faces Crown Court trial for knife threat in private home

Published

2 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Court Reporter

A TEENAGER from Haverfordwest is facing trial at Swansea Crown Court after being accused of threatening a man with a kitchen knife in a private property.

KIAN KELLY, aged 20, of Milford Road, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with threatening a person with a bladed article in a private place.

The court heard that on March 8, 2025, Kelly allegedly threatened Benjamin Kelly with a kitchen knife at 22A Hill Street, Haverfordwest, in a way that posed an immediate risk of serious physical harm.

He also faces a separate charge of possessing a bladed article in a public place without good reason, and another charge of criminal damage to household items belonging to Margaret Kelly.

He pleaded not guilty to the knife charges and guilty to the criminal damage offence during a previous hearing on April 11.

Kelly was remanded on conditional bail with strict terms, including a nightly electronically monitored curfew from 8:00pm to 8:00am, and a prohibition from entering Hill Street or contacting any prosecution witnesses.

He is next due to appear at Swansea Crown Court for trial on September 18, 2025.

Crime

West Wales man jailed for terrifying knife-point robbery

Published

5 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A WEST WALES man who tied up a family and robbed them at knifepoint in their own home has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Larry Black, aged 38, from Swansea was one of two masked men who forced their way into a house in Llansamlet, brandishing a hammer and knives. The pair subjected the family to a terrifying ordeal, tying them up before stealing £500 in cash and a set of car keys.

Black, who has refused to reveal the identity of his accomplice, was caught following a detailed investigation by South Wales Police detectives. Officers tracked him down after gathering forensic and witness evidence linking him to the scene.

Despite the seriousness of the offence, the court heard that Black has shown no remorse for his actions and has declined to cooperate with police efforts to identify the second suspect.

He was handed an extended 13-year sentence, which includes time in custody and on licence, in recognition of the danger he poses to the public.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims, who were targeted in the safety of their own home. Thanks to the work of our officers, a dangerous individual is now off the streets.”

Anyone with information about the second suspect involved in the robbery is urged to contact South Wales Police.