Crime
Pembrokeshire haven master admits endangering life after speedboat collision
He drove motor boat at excessive speed into a teenage kayaker
A PEMBROKESHIRE haven master has admitted endangering life after driving his motor boat at excessive speed into a teenage kayaker on the Cleddau River.
Adam Joshua Russell, 28, was helming the ‘White Mischief’ with friends on the afternoon of August 11, 2024, near Neyland when he ignored repeated warnings from other river users about kayaks approaching in the vicinity of Rudders Boatyard, Burton.
Despite being told several times to slow down, Russell continued at what witnesses described as an exceptionally high speed. Moments later, he struck a kayak being paddled by a 14-year-old schoolboy.
The teenager was taken by ambulance to West Wales General Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. His kayak was left extensively damaged.
Russell, who works as a haven master at Neyland Yacht Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week and pleaded guilty to:
- failing to travel at a safe speed to prevent a collision (misconduct),
- contravening Merchant Shipping Regulations relating to preventing collisions at sea,
- failing to adhere to a safe speed, and
- failing to act on a clear risk of collision.
Prosecutor Nick Coller KC, acting for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, asked magistrates to decline jurisdiction, arguing the seriousness of the incident required sentencing at Crown Court. Magistrates agreed.
Russell, of Murray Mews, Burton, was released on unconditional bail. He will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on December 23.
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.
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.
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.
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