Crime

Moped crashes into neighbour’s door after driver downs half a bottle of vodka

Published

5 months ago

February 11, 2026

A DRUNKEN man smashed his moped through a neighbour’s front door after drinking half a bottle of vodka, a court has heard.

Police were called to an address in Vivian Drive, Hakin, shortly before 10:30pm on September 29 following reports that Delan Gibson was experiencing what callers described as a mental health episode.

Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that Gibson had been “shouting and throwing things around the property” before leaving the area on a white moped.

Officers were unable to locate him at first and left the scene. However, around thirty minutes later, police received a further 999 call reporting that the 24-year-old had returned and crashed the moped into a neighbour’s front door.

During interview, Gibson admitted he had tried to mount a high kerb outside his address.

“He said he needed enough momentum to get over it,” the prosecutor said. “But after drinking half a bottle of vodka, he was so drunk that he missed the kerb. He then over-compensated by accelerating and crashed into the neighbour’s door, causing £1,430 worth of damage.”

Breathalyser tests later showed 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than double the legal limit of 35.

The court heard the neighbour had already experienced ongoing issues with Gibson’s behaviour over several years.

“The neighbour is very concerned for the safety of her family should he return to the property,” said Ms James. “His behaviour has continued over a four-year period and it has left her feeling persistently anxious with an overwhelming sense of dread.

“That night she was very, very scared, particularly when the moped drove into her front door.”

Gibson, of Marina View, Vivian Drive, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and causing criminal damage.

Defence solicitor Jess Hill said the incident was not deliberate and her client was deeply remorseful.

“This was not a targeted incident and was not intentional,” she said. “He drove while intoxicated, missed the turning and drove into the front door. He apologised to the homeowner as soon as she came out.”

The court heard Gibson has since stopped drinking and engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service.

After considering a probation report, magistrates imposed a 12-month community order. He must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days, 80 hours of unpaid work and a 90-day alcohol monitoring requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £1,430 compensation, a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs, and was banned from driving for 17 months.

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

18 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

18 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

19 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.