Crime
Cross Hands plasterer wanted after failing to attend court
A CROSS HANDS tradesman accused of a series of dishonest trading offences and thefts is now the subject of an arrest warrant after failing to appear before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday (Nov 28).
Magistrates issued a warrant without bail for Adam Benekeraitis, aged 34, of Caeglas, Cross Hands, after he did not attend the hearing. The case, brought by Carmarthenshire County Council, centres on allegations that he carried out poor quality plastering work, failed to complete jobs, misled customers and took money without providing the services promised.
Between October 2023 and February 2025, Benekeraitis is alleged to have engaged in a pattern of unfair commercial practices at several properties in Carmarthenshire. The court heard that he purported to be an experienced professional plasterer, charged for work that was not provided, failed to complete work, undertook work to a poor standard and refused refunds when requested.
The charges also allege that he repeatedly failed to provide legally required pre-contract information and cancellation notices to householders, causing customers to commit to work they may not have agreed to had they been properly informed. Victims named in the register include Mr and Mrs Thomas, Mrs Jones, Ms Charlotte Scott, Mrs Caroline Jenkins, Mr Randle, and Mr and Mrs Pearson.
Alongside multiple trading standards offences, Benekeraitis faces four counts of theft. These relate to £1,000 and £1,500 allegedly taken from Mrs Jones, £700 and £550 allegedly taken from Ms Scott, and £1,500 allegedly taken from Mr Daniels between 2023 and 2025.
In total, the defendant faces fifteen charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Theft Act 1968. All offences carry the potential for a custodial sentence.
As the defendant failed to attend, magistrates issued an immediate warrant for his arrest without bail. The matter will return to court once Benekeraitis is located and brought before the bench.
Crime
Kilgetty scaffolder sentenced after driving with cocaine and in system
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
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.
Crime
Housing site director sentenced after failing to provide breath sample following crash
Driver found on rugby supporters’ bus after Range Rover spun out of control
A PEMBROKESHIRE housing and development site director has been sentenced after failing to provide a breath specimen when his Range Rover spun out of control and crashed into the central reservation near Haverfordwest.
Jason Greggain, 47, was seen driving erratically shortly before 8:30pm on September 28, with witnesses reporting the vehicle overtaking another car before hitting surface water and spinning out of control.
“A call was made to police saying that a Range Rover had been seen overtaking another vehicle and driving erratically,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week. “The vehicle was then seen spinning out of control.”
When officers arrived, the driver was nowhere to be found. Greggain was later located inside a white bus heading to a local rugby match, where he had been taken after the collision.
Greggain provided a positive roadside breath test, but once taken to Haverfordwest police station he refused to provide a further breath or blood specimen for analysis.
He pleaded guilty to the offence. His solicitor, Samuel Jenkins, told District Judge Mark Layton that Greggain’s refusal was not an attempt to evade justice, but stemmed from his belief that he should speak to a solicitor first.
Mr Jenkins said the collision occurred after Greggain aquaplaned while being followed by a coach returning from a rugby game.
“An ambulance arrived at the scene and conveyed Mr Greggain to the bus parked a short distance away,” he added. “When he got onto the bus, he was offered two bottles of beer, hence him being over the limit. Normally, he only drinks on special occasions.”
Judge Layton imposed a 12-month community order, requiring Greggain to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 20 months and must pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
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