News

Third time in court for drink driving

Published

10 years ago

February 11, 2015

IRISHMAN, Larry McGovern, from Pembroke Dock was in court for driving under the influence and failing to meet bail on Tuesday (Jan 27), to which he pleaded guilty to both cases.

On September 10 at 7.30pm, McGovern had been spotted by the police driving in Argyle Street in Pembroke Dock. When stopped, the police noticed that the man smelt of intoxicants. McGovern claimed that he had had only three or four pints and had had something to eat.

The defence, Jonathan Webb stated that McGovern had admitted that he had been driving under the influence straight away, claiming that he thought he would be fine. Webb commented that he should have known that he would not be fine due to the fact that he has two previous offences for drink driving. This has been the second offence in the last ten years, and the third in the last twelve.

Webb went into McGovern’s financial situation, as a self-employed painter/decorator, who earns £1000 per month, to show that he would be able to pay a fine. He also stated that he has had unpaid work before where he mowed the cemetery. McGovern expressed that he enjoyed the work and felt that he was putting something back into the community.

In terms of breaching the bail, the defence said that McGovern had thought that he was to be in court on February 2. Webb himself said that this was not a reasonable excuse as he had signed forms with the correct date attached to them.

In previous drink driving cases, the Irishman had been offered to go on a drink driving rehab course in order to lower his ban, but he did not attend. The defence asked for another course to be offered, and McGovern can refuse again if he chooses to.

The magistrate sentenced Larry McGovern to a three year driving ban, and at the end of that ban it is up to the offender to ask for his licence back. He was asked if he could pay £440 in fines on the day as he had £1000 with him, but the defence objected. He stated that he could not pay that much at the time as the £1000 was for him to live off for the month. He suggested that McGovern pay £100 per week but the offender asked if he could pay half the fine at the time and the other half a month later.

The magistrate agreed to this but told McGovern that he would find himself in the fine’s court if he did not pay. He was also offered the drink driving rehab course, which would take time off his ban.

Crime

Attempted burglary at the Welsh Bakery, Milford Haven

Published

1 hour ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating an attempted burglary at the flat above the Welsh Bakery on Robert Street, Milford Haven. The incident is believed to have occurred between 4:30pm on Saturday, January 18, and 8:45am on Monday, January 20, 2025.

It is understood that force was used in an attempt to gain access to the upstairs flat.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact PC 865 Andy Baxter at Haverfordwest police station. You can reach out via:

Online: Dyfed-Powys Police Contact Form

Email: [email protected]

Direct message on social media

Phone: 101

Please quote reference number 50 of January 20.

Crime

Lung condition cited as defence in Haverfordwest drink-drive case

Published

1 hour ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LUNG condition has landed a Hakin man in the dock after he refused to give a breath test when suspected of driving through Haverfordwest town centre while over the drink-drive limit.

Frank Morrissey was stopped by officers on December 12 and asked to provide a roadside breath test. He refused.

This week Morrissey, 58, of Glebelands, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, where he denied failing to provide the breath test for analysis. His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, claimed his client suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a lung condition resulting in breathing difficulties. As a result, the defendant was unable to provide the breath test.

The case was adjourned to March 20, when Morrissey’s trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court. He was released on unconditional bail.

Crime

New Year’s Day drink-driver crashes into parked car

Published

1 hour ago

January 21, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S DAY drinking spree has resulted in a lengthy disqualification for Pembroke motorist Pauline Turner, who crashed into a parked Mercedes while over twice the drink-drive limit.

Police were called to St Anne’s Crescent, Pembroke Dock, just before 2:30pm on January 1, following reports that a black Toyota Yaris had collided with a parked Mercedes.

Officers discovered Turner, 61, who admitted being the driver of the Yaris.

“She identified herself to police officers and told them that she’d consumed five or six pints,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

After admitting the charge of drink-driving, Turner, of Ashdale Lane, Pembroke, was disqualified from driving for 20 months. She was fined £150 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £60 surcharge.