33-year-old more than twice legal limit after losing control on bend

A WATERSTON motorist has been disqualified from driving after crashing his vehicle while more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Rhys Duignan, 33, was seen driving a Suzuki Baleno at Lower Scoveston, Neyland, at around 6:30pm on Friday (Mar 7).

“He was involved in a single road traffic collision when his vehicle left the road on the offside,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Police attended and carried out a roadside breath test, which proved positive. Further tests at the police station gave a reading of 75 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Duignan, of Main Road, Waterston, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Representing him, Fenn Richards said he had been dazzled by an oncoming vehicle and was unable to take a bend.

“He didn’t think he was over the legal limit at the time, but has since been to the doctor to enquire about getting help to assist with his alcohol consumption,” she said.

The court heard Duignan has also contacted the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service since his arrest.

Duignan was disqualified from driving for 19 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

38-year-old given “final chance” despite probation warning of high risk of harm

A HAVERFORDWEST man has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after admitting assaulting a woman twice within a month.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that the first assault took place on Tuesday (Jan 28), when Paul Webber, 38, struck the victim to the face. A month later, he carried out a second assault in the town centre, again targeting her face.

“The first was a knock to her face, and the second was a forceful slap, again to her face, both resulting in facial marks,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

A victim statement read to the court described the impact of the abuse.

“Our relationship was becoming really hard, due to the violence and control he had over me,” she said.

“I’m relieved that I’m in a much safer environment, without being afraid of repercussions as I was before.”

She asked magistrates to impose a restraining order preventing further contact.

“I want to feel safe, knowing that he can’t approach me and subject me to further physical or verbal abuse,” she added.

Webber, of Glebe House, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating and a third charge of possessing a Class A drug, namely 1.7 grams of crack cocaine, which was discovered during his arrest on Thursday (Feb 27).

A pre-sentence report recommended immediate custody, but this was challenged by his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

“If he goes back to prison, he’ll come straight out and re-offend,” he said.

“He needs to work with probation to try and sort these issues out because without doing that, we’ll continue going round and round.

“His triggers are consistent and predictable, which means they are much easier to deal with.

“Paul Webber clearly needs help, and his response to supervision has previously been good. There are many things which could be beneficial to him and I find it very odd that probation’s conclusion doesn’t tie in with all the other factors.”

However, probation officer Julie Norman said Webber had already received extensive support.

“He’s been constantly supervised by probation over the last four years after every term of imprisonment, when we’ve worked with him to address his offending behaviour,” she said.

“But even though he attended, we question what he’s learnt from the intervention after committing an offence of this nature so soon after.

“In our opinion he remains a very high risk of harm to the victim.”

After lengthy consideration, magistrates opted to give Webber a final opportunity in the community.

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order, during which he must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, including anger management and substance misuse work.

A three-year restraining order was imposed, preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, entering any premises occupied by her, or accessing or sharing any information about her online.

Webber was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, along with £85 court costs and a £114 surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order was made in relation to the crack cocaine.

38-year-old overturned car after losing control and hitting parked vehicle

A HAKIN motorist has been disqualified from driving after crashing his vehicle while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that just before 7:00pm on Thursday (Jan 9), police received reports of a road traffic collision at Lower Hill Street, Hakin.

“The driver had lost control of his vehicle and collided with a parked car, resulting in his own vehicle ending up on its side,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

When officers arrived, they spoke to Lee Macdonald, 38, who admitted he had been driving the overturned vehicle. He also confirmed he had consumed alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel.

A subsequent blood test showed Macdonald had 114 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Macdonald, of Acorn Cottage, Lower Hill Street, Hakin, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Representing him, Jess Hill told magistrates he had no previous convictions.

“At the time of the offence he was having troubles with his relationship, and his alcohol consumption increased as a result,” she said.

“This affected his judgement and his decision making, and gave him the false confidence to get behind the wheel, which is something he regrets immensely. He realises the consequences could have been much more serious.”

Macdonald was disqualified from driving for 14 months. He was fined £125 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.