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.

Blood tests showed level nearly five times the legal threshold

A MOTORIST who admitted taking cocaine to try to ease ongoing leg pain has been banned from driving after being caught over the drug-drive limit in Pembrokeshire.

Richard Smith, aged 41, was stopped by police on the night of October 6 while driving his Skoda Enyaq along Pope Hill in Johnston.

Officers carried out a roadside drugs test which proved positive. Smith was arrested and taken to the police station, where blood analysis later revealed 236 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50.

Smith pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Defence solicitor Fenn Richards said her client had travelled to Milford Haven to support a family member.

“His nephew had been having a hard time with depression, so he came down to spend some time with him,” she said.

“But the defendant had recently suffered a car accident and had run out of painkillers while he was in the area. He turned to cocaine to help relieve his pain.”

The court heard Smith had taken the drug around five days before driving and had not realised it could remain detectable in his system for that length of time.

Magistrates disqualified Smith, of Walnut Way, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, from driving for 14 months.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.

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.