Crime
Driver had ketamine in system after Narberth crash
White powder found around motorist’s nostrils following collision
A COURT has heard how a motorist who lost control of his car before ploughing into a hedge at Narberth was found by police officers to have traces of white powder around his nostrils.
Further examinations revealed that Matthew White, 29, had been driving with 96 mcg of ketamine in his system at the time of the accident. The legal limit is 20.
“He deeply regrets what he did, but he didn’t go out to do something like this for no reason,” his solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “His friend had recently died, he became extremely upset and he didn’t know how to deal with it. So he took the ketamine to help him.”
Mr Lloyd concluded by saying that White, who has no previous convictions, has refrained from taking any further illegal substances since the incident on June 2.
“He wants the court to know that nothing like this will ever happen again,” he said.
White, of The Lion Hotel, Main Street, Pembroke, was disqualified from driving for a total of 20 months. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis
Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation
A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.
The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.
The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.
Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.
During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.
He was sentenced to six years in prison.
The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.
Crime
Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations
Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing
A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.
Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).
The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.
It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.
Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.
The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.
Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.
The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.
Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.
Crime
Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven
A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.
The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.
The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.
The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.
Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.
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