Crime

Pembroke man spared jail for importing thousands of diazepam tablets

Published

1 month ago

October 9, 2025

A PEMBROKE man who ordered tens of thousands of prescription drugs from overseas without permission has avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting multiple importation and supply offences.

Joseph Whitbread, aged 39, of Grove Way, appeared at Swansea Crown Court today (Oct 9) where he was sentenced for bringing around 30,000 diazepam tablets and a quantity of pregabalin into the UK through Cardiff Airport in July last year. Both are class C controlled drugs.

The court heard that Whitbread, an oil-rig worker based in Ghana, had effectively been buying the medication online from overseas suppliers, importing it without Home Office authority. He told officers the drugs were intended for personal use and friends, but messages and quantities found by investigators suggested wider distribution.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue said Whitbread was stopped by Border Force officers at the airport on July 14, 2024, with the tablets hidden in his luggage. Further inquiries revealed a second attempted importation on October 30, involving similar medication.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a class C drug and two counts of improper importation, along with two further charges of attempting to possess diazepam with intent to supply and improper importation in relation to the October incident.

Whitbread had no relevant previous convictions, though he had earlier appeared before magistrates for a drink-driving offence in Pembroke in 2024.

Defending, Hannah George said her client had already spent time on remand and was supporting his partner and children through work on an oil rig in Ghana.
“This defendant is capable of learning from his mistakes and there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation,” she told the court.

Judge Catherine Richards said the offences were clearly motivated by a desire to make money but accepted that Whitbread was remorseful and unlikely to reoffend.
She sentenced him to 14 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with conditions including 150 hours of unpaid work, 30 rehabilitation activity days, and a three-month curfew from 10:00pm to 6:00am, to be electronically monitored.

He must also pay a victim surcharge.

Crime

Man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman’s body found in Cardigan boatyard

Published

5 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Victim’s family informed as officers appeal for witnesses who were near the scene from Thursday night

POLICE have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a woman’s body at a boatyard in Cardigan.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to Netpool Boatyard at around 12:35pm on Saturday (Nov 15) after the body of a woman was found.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

The woman’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

There has been an increased police presence in the town since Saturday afternoon, with officers cordoning off the Netpool slipway and nearby access roads. Late on Saturday night, a boat covered in black plastic sheeting was removed from the scene as part of the ongoing forensic investigation.

Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who may have been at, or seen activity around, the boatyard from 9:00pm on Thursday, November 13 onwards.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police via the website https://orlo.uk/olxMg, email [email protected], or call 101, quoting reference 144 of November 15. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crime

Boat removed from Cardigan scene as police probe young woman’s death

Published

7 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A BOAT covered in black plastic sheeting has been removed from the Netpool area of Cardigan as part of a major police investigation into the death of a young woman.

The vessel was taken away at around 11:30pm on Saturday (Nov 15) under police escort and is understood to form a key part of the ongoing forensic inquiry. Officers had cordoned off the slipway near the River Teifi throughout the day, with multiple police vehicles and scenes-of-crime teams attending.

Emergency services were first called to the location around lunchtime on Saturday (Nov 15) following a 999 call, and a large police response was reported soon afterwards.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries. His condition has not been confirmed, and Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet said whether any arrests have been made.

The woman, believed to be in her early twenties, has not yet been formally identified.

Police are expected to remain in the area while specialist officers continue their investigation.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for an official update.

Crime

Police investigate death of young woman in Cardigan

Published

20 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating following the death of a young woman in Cardigan this afternoon (Nov 15).

Officers were called to the Netpool area, near the River Teifi, where the slipway was cordoned off and access restricted while investigations were carried out.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to local sources.

Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet formally identified the woman, who is in he early twenties, or confirmed whether anyone has been arrested.

The Herald has contacted the force for an official statement