Crime
Driver disqualified after telling police to ‘just take him in’

A MOTORIST who approached police officers in the middle of Pembroke town centre and admitted to drink-driving has been banned from the roads for 14 months.
David Bowditch, 54, walked up to officers on Main Street in the early hours of May 22 while they were dealing with an unrelated incident.
“He approached them and told them to just take him in, because he’d been drinking,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
A subsequent breath test revealed Bowditch had 47 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd told the court that Bowditch was an extremely vulnerable man who had made a grave error of judgment.
“Whenever he hears voices in his head, he finds going out for a drive extremely beneficial and therapeutic,” said Mr Lloyd. “He’ll no longer be able to do that, and already he feels the walls closing in around him.”
Bowditch, of St Oswalds, Main Street, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 14 months, fined him £240, and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £96 court surcharge. His licence was endorsed.
Crime
Teenager to face Crown Court trial over strangulation allegations

Two separate incidents under investigation
A TEENAGER has appeared before magistrates accused of attempting to strangle the same woman on two separate occasions.
Ieuan John, 19, of Plas Peregrein, Steynton, Milford Haven, is charged with attempting to strangle a female on January 6 and again on October 2, 2024. He is also accused of assaulting her, causing actual bodily harm.
“This matter is aggravated by the fact that there are two separate strangulations,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday.
The court heard that police were called to the second incident on October 2 following a report from the female, who alleged she had been punched to the legs and torso. She later attended hospital for treatment, where she disclosed the earlier alleged strangulation.
John denies all three charges.
Following a request from the Crown, magistrates declined jurisdiction and committed the case to Swansea Crown Court. Proceedings will commence on July 25.
John was granted conditional bail. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, must not enter Richard John Road, Milford Haven, and must reside and sleep at his home address.
Crime
Milford man admits threatening neighbour after 27-year feud

Victim ‘terrified’ after being called homophobic slur
A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted using homophobic and abusive language during a confrontation with his neighbour of 27 years.
Andrew Johns, 46, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The incident occurred on May 30 in Richard John Road, when neighbour Elizabeth Radcliffe returned home.
“They’ve lived next door to each other for 27 years, but there have been numerous issues,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. “That day, when she came home, the defendant started calling her a c*** and said he was going to kill her husband, who he described as ‘a f****** gay muppet’.”
Ms Vaughan said the victim was left feeling terrified in her own home as a result of the outburst.
Probation report ordered
Due to the homophobic nature of the comments and concerns over the defendant’s mental health, magistrates agreed to a request from the Crown Prosecution Service for a full probation report to be prepared before sentencing.
Johns, of Richard John Road, was released on conditional bail until sentencing on July 15. He must not contact Mr or Mrs Radcliffe, either directly or indirectly.
Crime
Man remanded after escaping police by asking to check on dog

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody after escaping from police by claiming he needed to tend to his dog.
Officers attended the home of Zachariah Roberts, 23, in Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, to question him over an alleged breach of bail conditions. During the visit, Roberts asked to check on his dog.
“He was given some latitude by officers,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “But instead, he let himself out of the property and made off. It doesn’t get any higher than that.”
Magistrates declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the offence. Following a request by Ms Vaughan, Roberts was remanded in custody.
The remand was made on the grounds that he may commit further offences, interfere with witnesses, or fail to surrender to bail.
Roberts is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on July 25.
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