Crime

E-bike rider who sped through pedestrian alley sentenced by court

Published

14 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Police officers forced to jump aside as modified electric bike accelerated towards them

A COURT has heard how a group of E-bike riders hurled abuse at officers as they sped down a narrow, pedestrianised alleyway in Pembroke town centre.

The officers had been informed via their radios that the E-bikes had been seen in Pembroke just before midnight on September 6.

“We heard them approaching down Orange Way, which is a strictly pedestrianised, very narrow alleyway,” commented one of the officers when the matter was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “We called for them to stop but they made no attempt to do so and shouted obscenities at us.”

One of the riders was 24-year-old garage mechanic Joshua Miller who was riding an electric Surron bike.

“He was driving slowly on the grass verge and the officers directed him to stop when he was less than a metre away from them,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“One of the officers grabbed hold of him, but he continued gripping onto the handlebars of the bike.”

Miller then applied the throttle, causing the bike to move forwards.

“The two officers moved forwards with him, but fortunately neither of them were hurt,” added Sian Vaughan. “But that was more luck than judgement.”

Meanwhile county councillor Jonathan Grimes stressed to the court via a victim impact statement the problems that E-bikes similar to Miller’s are having on local communities.

“The use of E-bikes has had a significant impact on public confidence and safety,” he said. “I’ve been contacted by many residents who are concerned about these being ridden at speed by people wearing face coverings…and the wearing of balaclavas is of particular concern to many residents as they give off a very sinister look.”

Miller, of Marshall Road, Monkton, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously failing to stop his vehicle when directed to do so by police officers, and using the vehicle without third party insurance.

He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said that since buying the E-bike, Miller has since spent approximately £10,000 on improving it.

“The defendant is aware of how serious this is, and deeply, deeply regrets it,” he said. “The proceedings have had a profound impact on him.

“After he was interviewed, he was placed on extremely strict bail conditions which included a daily curfew which he’s never once breached; this has been a particular hardship for a young man who’s extremely hard working, and reliable.

“He knows what he did is wrong and he’s deeply remorseful for what took place.”

Character references were submitted to the magistrates for their consideration prior to sentencing.

Miller must complete 150 hours of unpaid work during his 12 month Community Order. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must take an extended driving test before getting back on the roads. A deprivation order was made for the E-scooter and for its removal from public circulation. Miller was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

(Image: Stock image for illustrative purposes only)

Crime

Driver caught with three illegal drugs in system on way to MOT test

Published

8 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Tenby stop check revealed cocaine and cannabis in motorist’s blood

ATTEMPTS to take his vehicle for its annual MOT has backfired after the vehicle’s owner was found to be driving with a cocktail of illegal drugs in his system.

Bradley Bostock, 27, was stopped by officers on December 16 as he drove his Ford Fiesta along Heywood Lane, Tenby.

But further investigations by officers confirmed he had 108 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system together with 17 mcg of cocaine and 2.4 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The legal limits are 50, 10 and 2 respectively.

“There’s no detail of the rationale behind why he was stopped, but three drugs were noted in his blood,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan when Bostock appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Bostock pleaded guilty to three charges of drug driving and was represented in court by Jess Hill.

“He was taking his vehicle to Tenby for an MOT that day but was stopped by officers for a stop check,” she said.

“He’s from Yorkshire and often feels isolated here as he has no family and uses drugs to help deal with his loneliness.”

Bostock, of Corston Cottages, Axton Hill, Pembroke was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 90 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Father-of-three ordered to pay for bus stop damage after drinking binge

Published

9 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Blood trail led police from damaged shelter to defendant’s home

A FATHER-OF-THREE had admitted carrying out over £500 worth of damage to a bus stop after a drinking binge in Milford town centre.

A blood trail led officers from the bus stop to Hawthorn Way, to the home of Hayden Dimond.

This week Dimond, 31, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he admitted the criminal damage offence.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan informed magistrates that the damage caused to the bus stop totalled £530.60.

“The defendant accepted responsibility in his police interview and pointed them in the direction of the damaged bus stop,” Diamond’s solicitor, Jess Hill, informed the Bench.

“At the time he was highly intoxicated and acted upon impulse.

“He had problems with binge drinking but now rarely consumes alcohol, but whenever he does, it’s monitored so he remains on an acceptable level.”

“What happened that night was not intentional.”

Dimond, Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, was ordered to pay £530 compensation to Pembrokeshire County Council and was fined £40. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £16 surcharge.

Crime

Driver banned after cocaine found in system during A40 stop check

Published

12 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Motorist told court he had taken drugs the night before socialising with friends

A DRUG DRIVER who was arrested during a routine stop check was this week ordered off the roads for 12 months.

A stop check carried out on Dean Browne as he drove his Volvo V50 along the A40 at Slebech last December prompted officers to carry out a roadside drugs swipe. When it proved positive, further blood tests were carried out at the police station which showed that Browne had 240 mcg of the cocaine metabolism benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50.

Browne, who has no previous convictions, accepted that he’d taken cocaine the night before whilst socialising with friends.

“He is sorry for his actions and understands now that the drug can remain in the system for some time,” said his solicitor Jess Hill, after Browne pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

In addition to the 12-month driving ban, Browne, of Horeb Road, Mynydd y Garreg, Kidwelly, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.