Court hears driver ‘unwittingly’ consumed drug at party before being stopped by police

A MOTORIST has told magistrates he ended up over the drug-drive limit after unknowingly eating food containing cannabis at a party.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that on October 25, Kerne Spiralson, aged 32, attended a gathering at an undisclosed location in north Pembrokeshire where he helped himself to a selection of food.

However, the court was told that one of the items had been prepared with cannabis, something Spiralson said he was unaware of at the time.

Later that evening, as he drove his Mazda 3 home along the Llanfyrnach–Tegryn road, he was stopped by police and subjected to a roadside drugs test.

The swipe test proved positive and subsequent analysis showed he had 7.8 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his system. The legal limit is 2 micrograms.

Spiralson, of Pencraig, Llandysul, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

Defence solicitor Fenn Richards told magistrates that because the cannabis had been consumed unknowingly within food, the case involved special circumstances which may allow the court to consider avoiding the mandatory driving disqualification.

Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing, which will take place on March 26.

Spiralson was released on unconditional bail.

Victims tell court they feel anxious and unsafe as defendant admits offences

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sentenced after tapping on his neighbour’s window with a knife before later breaching a court order by contacting a woman he was banned from approaching.

Magistrates sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that shortly after 7:00pm on January 14, Adam Evans heard his neighbour, Sam Wilkins, knocking on the window of his Bethel Road home with a knife.

Prosecutor Nia James said the incident caused immediate alarm.

“This made Adam Evans feel extremely worried,” she told the court.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Evans described the strain the situation has placed on him and his family.

“The defendant is so unpredictable and his behaviour makes me feel very defensive,” he said.
“I feel I need to protect my family at any given moment.”

The court heard that later the same evening Wilkins breached an existing two-year community order, imposed in April 2025, which prohibited him from contacting a particular woman.

“He contacted her by calling her mobile on two separate occasions,” said Ms James. “He told her he was experiencing a particularly stressful time and said he was deeply sorry that he had failed his family.”

In her own statement, the woman said the unwanted contact had severely affected her wellbeing.

“The breach has made me feel awful, miserable and sad,” she said. “I want to move on from my past, but it gets harder and harder.

“Sam needs help, but he still poses a threat to me and I’m very worried about what he might do. I’m on tenterhooks, worrying about what he may do next, and it’s ruining my peace of mind.”

Wilkins, aged 43, of Bethel Road, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress and to breaching his community order.

After considering a probation report, magistrates imposed an 18-month community order. He must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days to address substance misuse and comply with a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement.

Wilkins was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Court hears of late-night calls, messages and 999 whisper for help

A WOMAN has told a court her life was “turned upside down” by a campaign of harassment from her former partner which left her too frightened to feel safe in her own home.

In a victim impact statement read to magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, she said almost every aspect of her daily life had been affected.

“Almost every aspect of my life has been disrupted,” she said.

“His actions have left me feeling constantly unsafe and vulnerable, particularly late at night, and my home is no longer the safe haven it should be.

“Making that 999 call left me feeling ashamed, even though I knew it was the right action in the circumstances.”

The court heard that during the emergency call on May 15, the woman could be heard whispering to the operator because her ex-partner, Gary Thomas, was outside her home in Freystrop.

Prosecutor Nia James said: “Just before 10:30pm Gary Thomas knocked on her door and the female saw a shadow looking in through the window.

“She can be heard speaking quietly because he was outside banging on the door. She felt scared that he could hear her making that call to the police.”

The harassment began on May 8, the day after the couple’s relationship, described to the court as “toxic”, came to an end.

Thomas repeatedly contacted her by phone and text. On one evening alone, between 10:00pm and 11:30pm, she received 22 missed calls. On May 15 he messaged to say he was coming to collect his belongings, knocked on the door at 10:18pm and continued sending messages for around 20 minutes.

Despite being asked to stop, he continued to contact her via text and WhatsApp, including messages saying: “I always love you and think about you” and “Can you come and speak to me please?”

“The female has had to make considerable changes to her lifestyle,” said Ms James. “Initially she felt so unsafe she went to stay with her family and has now had to take increased security precautions. But even with these steps, she continues to experience heightened anxiety.

“He showed no consideration or thought towards her, and this has added to her emotional strain.”

Thomas, aged 40, of Foley Way, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said the incidents were limited and that his client was remorseful.

“He turned up at the address on a very limited number of occasions and the offences don’t include a particularly high volume of phone calls,” he said.

“There was no threat of violence, no intimidation, and this isn’t something that was sustained. He’s expressed genuine remorse. He’s never been before the courts and this was a completely isolated incident.”

Magistrates fined Thomas £2,700 and ordered him to pay a £1,180 surcharge and £85 costs, bringing the total to £3,865.

A restraining order was also imposed, banning him from contacting the victim, visiting her address or entering any data relating to her on any electronic device.