Crime

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

Published

11 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

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

9 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.