Crime

Farm worker over drink-drive limit after car hit by fallen branch

Published

1 year ago

May 27, 2025

A FARM worker who crashed his car during Storm Darragh after being struck by a falling tree branch was found to be more than twice the legal drink-drive limit following a vodka binge.

Marcin Przybycien, 39, was driving his Kia Sportage on the A40 near the Corner Piece Inn, Rudbaxton, just before 9:30am on December 7 when the branch came down, leading to a crash.

“The Kia Sportage was at the mouth of the Spittal junction,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“There was substantial front-end damage to the vehicle and it was covered in what appeared to be fresh mud. It seemed that the vehicle had collided with a wall.”

Police carried out a roadside breath test which proved positive. Due to Przybycien’s injuries, he was taken to Withybush Hospital for examination.

“His nose was bleeding and he complained of chest and stomach pains,” added Ms Vaughan.

Because of his medical condition, officers were unable to conduct a formal drink-drive test until 2:30pm – around five hours after his arrest. A urine sample taken at that time showed 227 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine. The legal limit is 107.

Przybycien, of The Caravan, Trebrython Farm, Fishguard, pleaded guilty to drink-driving with the assistance of a Polish interpreter.

His solicitor, Katy Hanson, told the court that the defendant had been drinking Polish vodka with his brother the night before and had woken in pain due to a hernia.

“He felt unwell and thought he needed to get to hospital, which is why he decided to drive,” she said. “As he passed the Spittal junction, a branch fell onto the vehicle and caused the crash.”

Magistrates disqualified Przybycien from driving for 20 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.