A woman is to stand trial after allegedly driving through Fishguard town centre with cocaine levels far above the legal limit.

A CRUNDALE woman is to appear before magistrates for trial accused of driving through Fishguard town centre with cocaine and benzylecgonine in her system.

Sian Brazendale, 47, was stopped by officers on October 31, 2025, as she drove her grey Peugeot through West Street, Fishguard.

“Officers were concerned about the manner of her driving,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive, however further tests carried out at the police station gave negative alcohol readings.

“Because of the officers’ concerns, a drugs swipe was carried out which proved positive while further blood tests gave a cocaine reading of 67 mcg and a benzoylecgonine reading of 800 mcg,” said Linda Baker.

The specified legal limits are 10 and 50 respectively.

Brazendale, of Dingle Lane, Haverfordwest denied both charges of drug driving.

Her trial will take place at Haverfordwest magistrates on June 1 and Brazendale was released on unconditional bail.

A MILFORD HAVEN mother who cannot be named to protect her child has been handed a community order after admitting a child cruelty offence.

She appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 10), where she pleaded guilty to causing or allowing a child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

The offence took place on March 12, 2025, at her home address.

The charge was brought under section 1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

Magistrates imposed a community order lasting until August 9, 2027. The order includes 120 hours of unpaid work and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

She was also made subject to a 90-day alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement, running until May 10, 2026.

She was ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge, to be recovered through deductions from benefits.

A direction under section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 was made, protecting the identity of the child involved.

The case was later listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 20) in relation to an application to reopen the matter.

Union calls for stronger protection as shoplifting and violence surge

RETAIL workers across Wales are continuing to face alarming levels of abuse, threats and violence, according to new figures released today (Wednesday, Mar 18) by trade union Usdaw.

The union’s annual survey of 478 Welsh retail staff paints a stark picture of life on the shop floor, with incidents of abuse and intimidation remaining significantly higher than before the Covid pandemic.

The findings show that in 2025:

• 71% of workers experienced verbal abuse
• 40% were threatened
• 4% were physically assaulted

The report comes amid a sharp rise in shoplifting, which Usdaw says has more than doubled since the pandemic, contributing to an increasingly hostile environment for retail staff.

Workers responding to the survey described a catalogue of disturbing incidents, including threats of violence, sexual harassment, and physical attacks.

One worker reported being threatened after refusing a refund on a used item, while another described being subjected to explicit sexual remarks. Others recounted being pushed, having items thrown at them, or even being threatened with weapons.

In one case, a worker said they had been “punched, spat at, had a basket thrown at them and threatened with a knife,” while another described being followed and threatened by a group of youths after refusing a sale due to lack of identification.

Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said the testimonies highlight a growing crisis facing shop workers.

She said: “It is difficult to read these accounts, but regrettably they are all too common. Nearly four in five retail workers are now experiencing violence, threats or abuse.

“No-one should feel afraid to go to work. Retail workers provide an essential service and deserve both respect and proper protection under the law.”

The union has welcomed proposals within the UK Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which include stronger protections for shop workers, the removal of the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifting offences, and new powers such as Respect Orders for offenders.

Thomas added that progress is being made after years of campaigning, but criticised opposition parties for resisting the proposed measures.

She said: “It is encouraging that governments in both Cardiff Bay and Westminster are beginning to listen. However, it is difficult to understand why some opposition parties continue to oppose laws designed to protect retail staff.”

Across the UK, Usdaw’s wider survey of nearly 9,000 retail workers found the problem is even more widespread, with 78% reporting verbal abuse, 54% threats, and 11% assaults in 2025—figures all higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear campaign continues to push for greater protections, urging the public, employers and government to take action to tackle what it describes as an escalating crisis on Britain’s shop floors.