Crime

Sofa distributor banned after driving with seven times the cannabis limit

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2025

A SOFA delivery driver has been banned from the roads for 12 months after being caught driving through Pembroke Dock while seven times over the legal cannabis limit.

Dean Binks, 40, was stopped by police on London Road on February 2 during a routine check. Officers noted a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and carried out a roadside drugs wipe.

“There was a strong smell of cannabis inside the vehicle, and as a result of the driver’s demeanour, a drugs wipe was carried out,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates.

Further blood analysis revealed Binks had 16 micrograms of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his system. The legal limit is 2 micrograms.

Binks, of Pant Road, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to drug driving. He was represented by solicitor Fenn Richards, who told the court that her client had been a daily cannabis user but was now attempting to turn his life around.

“He’s extremely remorseful for his actions and is now trying to make things better for himself,” she said.

Binks is employed as a distribution manager for Bespoke Sofa Wales, which involves driving across South Wales to deliver furniture. His conviction and disqualification are likely to have serious implications for his job.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving ban, fined him £300, and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

Crime

Pembroke woman sent to Crown Court after assault on police officer

Published

9 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A WOMAN from Pembroke has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to a series of offences, including assaulting a police officer and damaging a police van.

Lisa Sture, aged 35, of St Oswalds, Main Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (June 16).

She admitted damaging a Dyfed-Powys Police van on June 14, assaulting a detention officer the following day, and refusing to provide a sample for a Class A drug test.

Sture was committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.

The hearing is due to take place on July 7 at 9:00am.

The court ordered her remand in custody due to the seriousness of the offences, her previous record, and concerns about reoffending and failure to surrender.

Crime

Milford Haven man jailed for driving while disqualified

Published

9 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN from Milford Haven has been jailed after admitting to driving while disqualified and uninsured.

Lee Lock, aged 37, of Coombs Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to driving a VW Golf on the grounds of Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, on March 18 while disqualified.

He was also found to have no valid insurance for the vehicle.

Lock was sentenced to eight weeks in prison and disqualified from driving for 15 months. The custodial sentence was imposed due to the seriousness of the offence, which was committed soon after a previous disqualification. He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs. No separate penalty was issued for the insurance offence.

Crime

Carmarthen man committed to Crown Court for breach of restraining order

Published

9 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN from Carmarthen has been remanded in custody after admitting to breaching a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court.

Graham Potter, aged 42, who gave his address as no fixed abode but formerly resided in Llangunnor, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (June 16).

He admitted breaching a restraining order by being in the presence of a protected person in Haverfordwest on June 14. The order had been imposed on January 2, 2024.

Due to the seriousness of the breach and his previous record, the case was committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing. Potter was remanded in custody until the sentencing hearing on July 7 at 9:00am.