Crime
Driver with spinal condition fined for refusing blood test
A PEMBROKESHIRE man who lives in constant pain due to a serious spinal condition has been ordered to pay over £1,000 after being found guilty of refusing to provide a blood sample for analysis.
Ryan Ratcliffe, 41, was stopped by police on December 12 and gave a positive roadside drugs test. He was taken to Haverfordwest police station, where officers requested a blood sample for further analysis.
“But he refused, saying he was afraid of needles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “No medical evidence has been given to the court to prove that this was correct.”
Ratcliffe, of Bro Waldo, Clunderwen, had denied the charge of failing to provide a specimen for analysis but was found guilty following a trial on March 17. He returned to court this week for sentencing.
Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher told magistrates that Ratcliffe suffers from spinal stenosis—a degenerative condition that causes the narrowing of the spinal canal.
“He has the condition in his neck, middle back and at the base of his spine,” said Mr Kelleher. “It is untreatable and will affect him for the rest of his life.”
The court heard that Ratcliffe’s home has been specially adapted to his disability and that he relies on a carer for day-to-day assistance.
“The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that he lives in a rural area with limited public transport,” added Mr Kelleher. “Having access to a vehicle was his only way of getting to his local shop. But now that’s going to be lost.”
Ratcliffe was disqualified from driving for 24 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £650 in court costs along with a £120 victim surcharge.
A LLANELLI man who dropped a cigarette outside Tesco in Milford Haven has been fined over £570 after failing to attend court.
Mark Evens, aged 42, of Llys Westfa, Llanelli, was found guilty in his absence at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 3).
The court heard that on September 3, 2024, Evens discarded a cigarette butt in a public place to which section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 applied.
He was fined £220 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £88 and prosecution costs of £266.66. A collection order was made, and the full balance of £574.66 must be paid by May 1.
A SWANSEA man failed to appear in court after being accused of refusing to comply with a marine enforcement officer.
Ieuan Rhys Davies, aged 29, of Seaview Terrace, Penclawdd, is accused of failing to stop his vessel when directed by Marine Enforcement Officer Matthew Dawkins on June 6, 2024.
The case, brought under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, was adjourned until May 1 at 2:00pm.
Magistrates have ordered that Davies must attend the next hearing or risk a warrant being issued for his arrest.
A PEMBROKE man has pleaded not guilty to drug-driving following an incident last summer.
Sean Agnew, aged 58, of Vetch Close, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 3) for a further case management hearing.
He is accused of driving a Nissan Qashqai on Hywel Way, Pembroke, on August 1, 2024, while unfit through drugs. It is alleged that a blood test showed a level of Benzoylecgonine — a breakdown product of cocaine — at more than 92 micrograms per litre of blood, exceeding the specified legal limit.
The charge is brought under Section 5A(1)(a) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Agnew entered a not guilty plea on February 4 and has been released on unconditional bail.
He is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 10) at 10:00am for a further case management hearing before District Judge J Layton. The case is expected to last 20 minutes.
Ella Passey appeared for the prosecution on behalf of CPS Wales (South West).
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