Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Crime

Pembrokeshire man with ‘horrific’ criminal record banned from driving

Published

on

A PEMBROKESHIRE man with a criminal record described as ‘horrific’ by his solicitor has reappeared before magistrates after refusing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Andrew Johnson, 49, was arrested by police officers on February 16 following a 16-year break from crime.

“How on earth he’s kept out of trouble since 2009 is unbelievable,” his solicitor, David Griffiths, told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “His criminal record is horrific, and between 1995 and 2009, it really beggars belief.”

Mr Griffiths failed to outline details of Johnson’s previous convictions.

The most recent offence took place after officers visited his home address at Picton Terrace, Carew, to question him about a suspected drink-driving offence. Johnson informed officers that he hadn’t driven since the previous day; however, CCTV footage showed him getting into his vehicle at the time of the alleged offence. He provided officers with a breath sample which gave a reading of 91 mcg. However, when he arrived at the police custody suite for further tests, he refused to cooperate.

This week, Johnson pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

“He comes before you now as someone of clean character, and since 2009 he’s taken matters into his own hands to rehabilitate himself properly,” added David Griffiths. “This is going to be a glitch that he’s got to get over and get his life back on course.”

Meanwhile, probation officer Julie Norman informed magistrates that Johnson is currently attempting to address his alcohol consumption.

“He went through a very stable period when he was married with two children, but the relationship broke down in 2023,” she said. “Since then, he’s resorted back to alcohol misuse.”

Ms Norman added that following his latest offence, Johnson has undertaken an alcohol detoxification treatment at Withybush Hospital.

After considering the facts, magistrates disqualified Johnson from driving for 18 months.

He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he

 

Crime

Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault

Published

on

When a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.

But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.

Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick,  who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewellyn, causing her actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewellyn arrived.

“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”

Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.

But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewellyn.

“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.

 “She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms.  But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s  job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav. 

“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass.  She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”

Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.  During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.  She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewellyn, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit

Published

on

A Pembrokeshire farm worker has  lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.

When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.

At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out.  These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.

James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.

“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said.  “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”

Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.

James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Pembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children

Published

on

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children.

David Lewis, 42, is accused of making 261 of the most serious category A images of a child together with 71 category B images and 51 category C images of a child.  The offences are alleged to have been committed between March 19, 2025 and August 6, 2025.

He is further accused of distributing one indecent category A image of a child at an undisclosed location in Llanteg, Narberth, on July 27, 2025.

This week Lewis – formerly of Ashdale Lane, Pembroke but now residing at Hoopers Guest House in Swansea – appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he submitted no pleas to all four charges.

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told magistrates that a total of 81,000 images and videos are currently being investigated in respect of the defendant, with the result that the police enquiry is not yet complete.

 “A lot of these photographs are of babies, with the result that their severity is not suitable for the magistrates court,” Dennis Davies told the Haverfordwest Bench.

As a result of the Crown’s comments, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the matter will now be dealt with by Swansea Crown Court, commencing on May 29.  Lewis was released on unconditional bail.

 

Continue Reading

Community7 hours ago

Cancer patients targeted with parking fines outside Haverfordwest support centre

Adam’s Bucketful of Hope says vulnerable users, elderly volunteers and charity drivers have paid more than £1,000 after Ateb introduced...

Charity7 hours ago

Row erupts at Spitfire museum after Reform poster displayed at charity premises

A HAVERFORDWEST museum has become caught up in a political row after Reform UK campaign material was photographed inside the...

Crime10 hours ago

Pembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children. David Lewis, 42, is...

Crime1 day ago

Man appears in court charged over death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer

FAMILY WATCHED FROM PUBLIC GALLERY AS CASE SENT TO CROWN COURT A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with...

Crime1 day ago

Police launch arson investigation after Haverfordwest fire

CCTV APPEAL ISSUED POLICE have launched an arson investigation after a derelict building was destroyed in a major overnight fire...

News1 day ago

Residents told to stay indoors as derelict building destroyed in Haverfordwest fire

EMERGENCY SERVICS were called to a major overnight fire in Haverfordwest which led to residents being urged to remain indoors...

Health2 days ago

Welsh public backs urgent action on dementia ahead of Senedd elections

Calls grow for diagnosis, care and support to become national priority NEW figures reveal overwhelming public demand for dementia to...

Local Government2 days ago

Council pays tribute to long-serving councillor Brian Hall

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has paid tribute to long-serving Pembroke Dock Market councillor Brian Hall, following his death. Cllr Hall first...

Sport3 days ago

Bluebirds reach European play-off final after penalty drama in Barry

Haverfordwest County beat Barry Town United 3-1 on spot-kicks after 1-1 draw at Jenner Park HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY are one win...

News4 days ago

Barley Saturday brings bumper crowds to Cardigan

CROWDS lined the streets of Cardigan on Saturday (Apr 25) as Barley Saturday once again brought the town centre to...

Popular This Week