News

Letterston pensioner ’caused death and injury’

Published

11 years ago

December 16, 2014

AN 88-YEAR-OLD motorist turned into the path of a motorcyclist causing death and injury, a jury heard on Monday (Dec 15).

Arthur Edwin Hunter, of Gurndifog, Letterston, denies causing the death of Benjamin Bowen by careless driving on the A40 in February last year.

A jury at Swansea Crown Court heard how Hunter had been driving home along the A40 when he signalled to turn right down a lane leading towards his home.

Dyfed Thomas, prosecuting, said two motorcycles were heading in the opposite direction.

Hunter, he said, allowed the first to pass but turned his Ford Focus into the path of the second bike, ridden by 25 year old Mr Bowen.

Mr Bowen’s red motorbike fell on its side and he slid into the front of a Peugeot 308 driven by Julie McAdam, an agent for Hockey Wales and head coach of the Fishguard and Goodwick team.

Mr Bowen suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

Miss McAdam told the court how the bonnet of her car flipped up and her car filled with smoke. She suffered a broken arm and wrist and needed operations on her back, knee and thumb.

Miss McAdam said she had been driving behind Hunter’s Focus on a dry and clear day.

She saw Hunter waiting to turn right, and the approaching motorbikes.

“I could see he was an old driver and I hung back. I was going to turn right as well.

“I saw the first motorbike pass by and the second approaching. I thought ‘he isn’t going to turn, is he?’ because there was enough room,” she said.

“There was a collision. The motorcyclist tried his best to stay upright but fell onto his side and slid into me. I closed my eyes.”

Miss Adam described how Hunter not only pulled in front of Mr Bowen but drove slowly across the oncoming lane “as if he had all the time in the world.”

Cross examined by James Jenkins, the barrister representing Hunter, Miss McAdam agreed she had told the police that Mr Bowen’s motorbike had been about 20 metres behind the one in front, but now put the distance at about 40 metres.

She said she had been under pressure from the police to estimate a distance but had since undergone counselling, using a “rewind technique.”

She said she now estimated the distance at about half a hockey pitch, or about 40 metres.

Miss McAdam said Mr Bowen had not been speeding.

Mr Thomas told the jury that, given the angle that Hunter took to enter the lane, he may have been “cutting a corner, which might suggest he knew he had to go quickly.”

The trial is expected to end later this week.

Entertainment

Free screening to focus on climate and nature crisis

Published

27 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBLIC INVITED TO LETTERSTON EVENT HOSTED BY TRANSITION BRO GWAUN

A FREE public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing is to be held at Letterston Memorial Hall on Friday, May 29.

The event, hosted by Transition Bro Gwaun, starts at 7:00pm, with doors opening at 6:30pm.

The screening will be introduced by Dr Sarah Beynon, of The Bug Farm, St Davids, and will be followed by a structured discussion on climate and nature risks and what they may mean for local communities.

The 50-minute film has been adapted from the National Emergency Briefing, held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers, business leaders, cultural figures, faith representatives, sports figures and media leaders gathered to hear from experts on climate and nature risks.

The briefing, introduced by Chris Packham CBE, examines the potential impact of climate and nature breakdown on food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security.

Dr Beynon said: “We are in a biodiversity and climate emergency. We have destroyed over half of our wildlife. In my late father’s lifetime, we have destroyed 97% of our wildflower meadows.

“Over 80% of our habitats are in poor condition. Over 60% of our rivers are not in good health and one in five species is at risk of extinction.

“How do we want to leave this planet for future generations? Then ask yourself if you are prepared to act. If you are, the first step is to understand the issues facing us, and this film is a vital part of understanding the situation we are in so we can all step up and do something together.”

The People’s Emergency Briefing was launched nationwide in April and is now being screened in communities across the UK. Organisers say more than 300 showings have already taken place, with around 1,000 scheduled over the summer.

Further local screenings are also planned for Solva and Cardigan in June.

Transition Bro Gwaun said the Letterston event comes at a time when communities in Pembrokeshire are facing increasing pressure from severe weather, flooding, dry spells and wildfire risks.

November and December 2025 saw flooding affect many areas, with the Met Office confirming rainfall was more than 50% above average during that period.

The group said the event was not intended to be “doom and gloom”, but would also focus on practical and hopeful responses.

Henry Tufnell MP, Pembrokeshire county councillors and town and community councillors have been invited to attend.

Tom Latter, trustee at Transition Bro Gwaun, said: “TBG welcomes the opportunity to host one of many Emergency Briefing events around the UK, addressing the climate and nature crisis.

“Co-ordinated restorative action is urgently needed, and understanding of the urgency for honest commitment to resilience planning from all branches of society.”

Free tickets are available through Transition Bro Gwaun, and refreshments will be provided.

Climate

Free screening to focus on climate and nature crisis

Published

30 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair