Crime

Train in emergency stop after drunk man jumped onto track

Published

9 months ago

May 6, 2025

Jail sentence following offender’s ‘dangerous’ Bank Holiday stunt

A MAN who leapt from the platform at Narberth railway station into the path of an oncoming train has been jailed for more than seven months.

Warren Wall, from Cardiff, was sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week following the alarming incident, which occurred on Bank Holiday Sunday (May 4). The court heard how his actions caused an approaching train to make an emergency stop as it pulled into Narberth station.

“Calls were made from members of the public who were concerned about a male, who was either intoxicated or under the influence of drugs,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. “He was shouting and jumping off the platform onto the track, which caused the train to stop.”

Karen Lewis, a passenger on the train, described the moment it came to a sudden halt. “I felt the brakes squeak and everyone lurched forward,” she said. “I’m just glad the train managed to stop in time and the bloke was okay. We were all quite worried.”

Wall’s behaviour continued to escalate after his arrest. While in the back of the police van, he was described as spitting and clearly under the influence of alcohol or substances.

The court was told that the 32-year-old was already serving a suspended prison sentence for a conviction of assault causing actual bodily harm. That sentence – 32 weeks suspended for 18 months – had been handed down by Cardiff magistrates in February.

Wall pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, criminal damage to a police vehicle, and breaching his suspended sentence.

His solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said Wall had no memory of the incident due to the extent of his intoxication. “He has no recollection whatsoever of what occurred, he was that drunk,” said Mr Kelleher. “And he apologises for his behaviour, if it caused any inconvenience.”

Magistrates activated a large portion of Wall’s previous sentence and imposed an immediate custodial term of 31 weeks. He was also fined £40, ordered to pay court costs of £85, and a £16 victim surcharge.

The incident caused delays to rail services and concern for public safety. Transport officials confirmed that while no injuries were reported, the train driver and passengers were “deeply shaken” by the event.

Crime

Hakin man’s appeal delayed again as Crown Court seeks guidance on insurance law

Published

54 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge gives CPS more time to review latest road traffic law guidance before case returns in March

A HAKIN man’s appeal against a conviction for driving without insurance has been delayed after a judge granted prosecutors additional time to review updated legal guidance.

Seventy-six-year-old Niall Taylor, of Haven Drive, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Jan 13) for a mention hearing in his case.

Taylor has accepted the finding that he drove otherwise than in accordance with a licence, but is challenging the separate conviction for using a vehicle without insurance.

The case relates to an incident on January 18, 2023, when he drove a Vauxhall Zafira along Hammond Avenue, Haverfordwest.

The matter has already followed an unusual procedural history. Taylor initially pleaded not guilty in the magistrates’ court but later changed his plea during the original trial. Questions were subsequently raised over whether that plea had been “equivocal”, leading the case to be reopened under Section 142 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and reheard in full.

Following a trial of the facts, magistrates found him guilty and imposed sentence in December. Taylor has since lodged an appeal focused solely on the insurance offence.

During Tuesday’s hearing, His Honour Judge Walters granted the Crown Prosecution Service 28 days to review Wilkinson’s Road Traffic Offences (32nd Edition), the leading legal reference text used by courts in motoring cases.

Addressing the court, the judge said the matter may still require further consideration, adding: “The court still might want to reconsider the sentence even if the insurance company is right. It does look as if different insurance companies do things in different ways.”

He added: “It is not in fact void, but it is voidable.”

Taylor maintains that a valid insurance policy was in force at the time of driving and argues that, in law, third-party cover cannot simply be cancelled because of an administrative licensing issue.

The appeal is due to return to Swansea Crown Court on March 27, when further legal argument is expected.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order

Published

4 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.

Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.

Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.