Crime

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

Published

5 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

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

11 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.