Council Chief’s son facing sentence at Crown Court after drug-driving smash

Published

2 weeks ago

November 25, 2025

Benedict Bramble is facing prison after a serious collision which wrote off two vehicles

A SAUNDERSFOOT man who wrote off two vehicles while driving with three illegal drugs in his system will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court next month.

Benedict Bramble, aged 24, of Maryland, Saundersfoot, was driving an Audi A3 on the A40 near Haverfordwest on May 15 when he was involved in a collision which wrote off two vehicles.

“Two vehicles were written off as a result,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told the court when Bramble appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week (Nov 25).

Blood analysis taken at the police station confirmed 240mcg of cocaine, 2.8mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, and 1155mcg of Diazepam in his system at the time of the crash.

Bramble pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and to three counts of drug-driving.

Case sent to Crown Court

“The Crown puts this at the starting point of 18 months in custody,” Ms James added.

Due to the seriousness of the offences, District Judge Layton declined jurisdiction and committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence on December 16.

Bramble received an interim driving disqualification and was released on unconditional bail.

Accompanied by father

During Tuesday’s hearing, Bramble was accompanied to court by his father, Will Bramble CBE, the Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Motorist banned for three years after driving with cannabis in system

Published

12 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

Driver stopped on Hamilton Terrace was over legal limit for Delta-9 THC

A 40-YEAR-OLD Milford Haven motorist has lost her driving licence after being caught driving with cannabis in her system.

Joanna Bates was stopped by police on the afternoon of September 22 after officers received reports of a suspected drug driver travelling along Hamilton Terrace in a Vauxhall Astra.

Blood tests later confirmed she had 2.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in her system. The legal limit is 2 mcg.

Bates, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

She was disqualified from driving for three years, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Kilgetty scaffolder sentenced after driving with cocaine and in system

Published

12 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

Judge imposes three-year ban and unpaid work

A PEMBROKESHIRE scaffolder who was caught driving with a cocktail of drugs in his system has been sentenced by a judge sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Jordan Whalley, 26, was seen driving his Ford Fiesta at excessive speed on the A478 near Begelly on October 3. A roadside drugs wipe tested positive, and subsequent blood analysis showed he had 36 mcg of cocaine, 240 mcg of benzoylecgonine, and 152 mcg of ketamine in his system.

Whalley, of Ryelands Lane, Kilgetty, pleaded guilty this week to three counts of drug-driving.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court: “He’d been to a party the day before and thought the drugs would be out of his system by the following day.”

District Judge Mark Layton banned Whalley from driving for 36 months and ordered him to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Johnston woman banned for three years after late-night drug-drive stop

Published

14 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Court Reporter

Previous drink-drive conviction triggered extended disqualification

A 54-YEAR-OLD woman has been banned from the roads for three years after being caught drug-driving on the main road through Johnston.

Julie Meehan was stopped by officers in the early hours of July 25 as she drove her Ford Fiesta along the A4076. A roadside drugs wipe returned a positive result, and subsequent blood analysis recorded 8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The legal limit is 2 mcg.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Meehan, of Silverdale Lodge, Johnston, had a previous drink-driving conviction within the last ten years, meaning her driving ban was subject to an automatic extension.

District Judge Mark Layton banned Meehan for a total of three years. She was also fined £120, ordered to pay £85 costs, and a £48 surcharge.