Crime

Teenager caught drink-driving twice in five months banned and sentenced

Published

7 months ago

July 15, 2025

A TEENAGER has been banned from the road after being caught drink-driving twice in less than five months.

Leo Tarnovetchi, 18, was first stopped by police on February 17 while driving a Renault Megane along Tanners Lane in Templeton. Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that officers became concerned due to the erratic way he was driving.

“He was swerving into oncoming traffic and exceeding the speed limit,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

A blood test later showed Tarnovetchi had 196 milligrams of alcohol in his system – more than twice the legal limit of 80.

Just four and a half months later, on July 10, Tarnovetchi was again stopped behind the wheel of the same vehicle, this time in Newport, Gwent. Once again, he was found to be over the drink-drive limit.

“He was alone in the car and could barely string a sentence together,” Ms Vaughan told the court.

Probation officer Catrin Jones said Tarnovetchi claimed that, on both occasions, he had been trying to help friends. In February, he had allegedly driven someone to hospital after they self-harmed, and in July, he claimed to be driving a friend to visit a sick aunt.

However, Ms Vaughan disputed this, stating that Tarnovetchi was found alone on both occasions.

Tarnovetchi, of Coachmans Cottage, Westfield Road, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on February 17 and to failing to provide a specimen for analysis following the July incident.

His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, said Tarnovetchi was in urgent need of help.

“This young man needs intervention, and he needs it straight away,” said Mr Lloyd. “When young people like this come before the court, things can really spiral out of control. He desperately needs help, and he knows it.”

Probation officer Catrin Jones agreed, describing Tarnovetchi as someone who is “clearly influenced by peers” and showing signs of “alcohol dependency” at just 18.

Magistrates imposed a 30-month driving ban and sentenced Tarnovetchi to an 18-month community order. He must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and carry out 165 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £170 in costs.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order

Published

1 hour 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.

Crime

Milford Haven man given extra unpaid work after breaching court order

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates add hours after missed appointments

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.

Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.

Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.

Crime

Dorset man stopped at Fishguard ferry given domestic violence order

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates told of 13 prior incidents as protection order imposed

A DORSET man was stopped by police at Fishguard Harbour while attempting to travel to Ireland and has now been made subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

Nathaniel Cruickshank, aged 22, of Gillingham, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

The court heard he had travelled to Pembrokeshire on January 30 and was intercepted at the ferry port while planning to board a sailing to Ireland with his partner, prompting police intervention.

Magistrates were told Cruickshank has a lengthy history of domestic violence and abusive behaviour, with officers having attended 13 separate incidents involving him.

Prosecutors outlined a number of previous allegations, including an incident in which he punched his mother in the face and another where he smashed a family television with a guitar after being refused money.

The court also heard that on January 29 a protected person attended their GP surgery expressing fear of him, triggering safeguarding measures.

Police subsequently served a Domestic Violence Protection Notice, and Cruickshank was later arrested at Fishguard.

Magistrates granted a 28-day Domestic Violence Protection Order preventing him from threatening or using violence, making any direct or indirect contact with the protected person, or returning to her address.

Issuing a warning in court, magistrates told him any breach would have serious consequences.

Cruickshank was ordered to pay £284 in costs to Dyfed-Powys Police.