Crime
Driver banned after cocaine and metabolite found in system on A477
Motorist told court he had been “in a bad state” and is now seeking help
A 51-YEAR-OLD motorist has been disqualified from driving after being caught with both cocaine and its metabolite in his system while travelling along the A477.
Magistrates sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Paul Andrew was stopped by police on the afternoon of November 2 as he drove a silver Ford Transit near Kilgetty.
Checks showed the vehicle was uninsured. Further blood analysis revealed Andrew had 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in his system, as well as 13 micrograms of cocaine. The legal limits are 50 and 10 respectively.
Andrew, of Bramble Cottage, Stepaside, pleaded guilty to both drug-driving offences when he appeared before the court. He chose to represent himself.
In mitigation, he told magistrates he had been struggling with his circumstances at the time.
“I’d been living in a van and was in a bad state,” he said. “So in many ways this has helped me to sort myself out. I’ve now joined a church in Tenby and have started working with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service, so things are starting to look a lot better.”
Andrew was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.
Crime
Man sent to Crown Court over alleged Cardigan cocaine and cannabis supply
A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to Crown Court to face a series of alleged drug supply offences in Cardigan.
Harrison Casey, of Harebell Way, Brownsover, Rugby, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jul 2).
He faces six charges relating to alleged offences at Bridge Street, Cardigan, between April 7 and April 24, 2023.
The charges include being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a Class B drug.
Casey is also accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to supply, being concerned in an offer to supply THC edibles, and possessing flualpazolam, a Class C drug.
There were no pleas to the charges at this stage.
Magistrates sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Casey was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Crime
Family’s anguish as politicians raise fears over killer driver’s possible early release
THE WIDOW of a Carmarthenshire father killed by a dangerous driver has been left facing months of uncertainty after being told the man jailed over her husband’s death may fall under new sentencing rules.
Aaron Jones, 38, from Llanpumsaint, died while walking his dog on December 23, 2024. His death devastated his family and shocked the close-knit village community.
Daniel Douglas Wyke, from Carmarthen, later admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was jailed at Swansea Crown Court for four-and-a-half years and banned from driving for eight years and two months.
Now Aaron’s widow, Lisa Jones, has received correspondence indicating that Wyke may be affected by provisions introduced under the Sentencing Act 2026.
The family has been told it may not know until the end of August whether the changes will affect the time he spends in custody.
Ann Davies MP for Caerfyrddin and Nerys Evans MS for Sir Gaerfyrddin have now written to the Ministry of Justice seeking assurances that Aaron’s family will be heard during any review process.
They said the uncertainty had added further pain for a family already living with unimaginable loss.
“Our thoughts remain firmly with Lisa Jones, her family and the community of Llanpumsaint, who continue to endure unimaginable grief following the tragic loss of Aaron,” they said.
“To now face uncertainty over the sentence of the man responsible for his death adds further distress at an already devastating time.
“It is vital that the Ministry of Justice listens to victims and their families. Any move to shorten sentences in cases of this seriousness must be approached with the utmost caution and sensitivity.”
Nerys Evans MS said victims and their families must remain at the centre of the justice system.
She added: “We have written to the Ministry of Justice to seek assurance that the voice and view of Aaron’s family are able to be heard as part of any process to review the sentence.”
Ann Davies also raised the case in Westminster on Thursday, July 2.
Speaking in the House of Commons, she said her constituent Aaron Jones had been killed in a hit-and-run while walking his dog, and that his widow had since received a letter from the Ministry of Justice about sentence changes under the Sentencing Act 2026.
She asked whether ministers accepted that waiting until the end of August to learn whether Wyke could be released earlier than expected was causing further distress to victims’ families.
Sir Alan Campbell, Leader of the House of Commons, said he understood the sensitivity of the case and the distress caused to Aaron’s family.
He said: “These are difficult decisions, but I understand the point about assurances as far as they can be given to families.”
He added that he hoped the Ministry of Justice had heard the concerns and said he would raise the matter directly.
The Sentencing Act 2026 received Royal Assent in January. The Government says the reforms are intended to tackle prison overcrowding, increase the use of tougher community restrictions and make greater use of supervision and tagging after release.
However, the case has highlighted the anxiety caused to victims’ families when changes to release arrangements are communicated before the full impact on individual cases is known.
For Lisa Jones and her children, the question now is not only what decision will be made, but why they must wait weeks to find out.
Crime
Llandeilo man accused of rape sent to Crown Court
Ben Barrett remanded in custody ahead of Swansea hearing
A LLANDEILO man accused of rape has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.
Ben Barrett, 37, of Maes y Farchnad, Llandeilo, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2).
He is charged with rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Llandeilo between March 21 and March 31, 2025.
No plea was entered during the magistrates’ court hearing.
The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Barrett was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
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