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Haverfordwest: Hundreds expected at latest sixth form protest

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protest1HUNDREDS of pupils from Tasker Milward School and Sir Thomas Picton School are expected at a protest at County Hall, Haverfordwest tomorrow morning (Apr 14) as councillors meet to decide the fate of  school sixth forms in the north of Pembrokehire.

Labour leader Cllr Paul Miller has called for the extraordinary meeting which will take place at 10am. Protestors will be gathering from 8am, the Herald understands.

Last month, Cllr Miller told The Herald: “We all voted for the proposals to go to consultation. However, since then it has been obvious to me from the public meetings I’ve attended in St Davids and Haverfordwest, that the proposals are so unpopular that any real consultation is only going to reject them fully, wasting time and money. Therefore, these proposals need to come back tocouncil and be rethought. We need to understand what the options are for maintaining school based sixth forms and we need to have a frank, open and honest discussion and debate with parents, pupils and the schools.”

The councillor, who is standing for parliament in the May General Election, added: “I am under no illusion that there needs to be change – standards in Pembrokeshire must improve. However, an outpouring such as this cannot be ignored and so today, we have a chance to think again and get it right.”

Stephen Crabb, who is also standing for parliament in May, and Paul Davies AM attended a meeting of the joint governor’s committee held at Tasker Milward School on April 7 to hear the opinions of the people of Haverfordwest faced with losing Sixth Form choice from their schools.

Governors, parents, pupils and those from the wider community attended the non-political event where Sixth Form choice was the only topic of discussion.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire MP heard from STP sixth former Corey Jenkins, and year 9 pupil Ben Richards, as well as a number of former pupils, all of whom highlighted the positive impact that sixth form education had on their lives.

Former Pembrokeshire College lecturers and current teachers also gave their views about why a choice on A-level provision was important for the future generations of Pembrokeshire children.

Mr Crabb and Mr Davies added their personal support for the retention of a sixth form in school. Mr Davies was asked to ascertain whether any judicial reviews have taken place on this matter anywhere else in Wales.

A petition of names collected during the first public meeting on March  2 was handed over to Jade Hughes and other pupils of Tasker Milward 6th Form to add to those collected by the extensive petitioning efforts of pupils from both schools.

A ‘Hackathon’ event arranged by Cllr Miller took place on Friday, April 19 at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre. This was a further opportunity for the public to engage in shaping the education of young people in Pembrokeshire.

 

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Crime

Dock driver avoids jail after drug-drive crash in mother’s car

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BMW damaged after Astra taken without consent in Pembroke Dock incident

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked vehicle.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home in Pembroke Dock on September 27, 2025, without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett subsequently collided with a wall, which collapsed and struck a parked BMW.

“The wall fell over as a result of the impact, causing damage to a nearby BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW, Damian Gorzach, reported bodywork damage and scratching to his vehicle following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50 micrograms.

The court heard that while Brundrett’s mother confirmed ownership of the Astra, she did not wish to pursue matters against her son.

Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.

Representing him, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client accepted his actions were “foolish and irresponsible” and expressed remorse.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties,” she said.

“This was the first and last time he had taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. He does not seek to excuse his behaviour, but he is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

He must pay £100 in compensation, a £154 surcharge, and £85 in prosecution costs.

 

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Crime

Driver banned after A478 crash and walkaway

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Motorist admits string of offences including driving while disqualified and uninsured

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after walking away from a crash on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, aged 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving a Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). He then failed to stop at the scene or report the incident to police.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report an accident, driving without third party insurance, and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence left on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending the outcome of the case.

 

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Crime

Driver trapped after crash while nearly four times over drink-drive limit

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Milford Haven woman cut free from car on busy A4076 as court hears of alcohol dependency struggle

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist had to be cut free from her car after crashing while almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit, a court has heard.

Police were called to the A4076 between Milford Haven and Johnston on the afternoon of Monday (Mar 10) following reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a Mazda. Officers arrived to find Sarah Childe, 43, trapped inside the vehicle, wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas.

“She was trapped in the car and the ambulance and fire service had to cut her out,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

When spoken to by officers, Childe admitted she had consumed alcohol earlier that day. Breathalyser tests later carried out at the police station showed she had 127 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—well above the legal limit of 35.

Childe, who is currently homeless but previously lived in Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court the offence was aggravated by the timing of the collision.

“The incident occurred at a busy time of day, when many motorists were on the road travelling home from work and school,” she said.

The court heard that Childe is alcohol dependent and believed she may still have had alcohol in her system from the previous day, in addition to wine consumed earlier on the day of the crash.

Defending, Tom Lloyd said his client urgently needed professional support.

“In the long and the short, this is a lady who desperately needs help,” he said. “She recognises she has a serious problem with alcohol and wants to address it. She is drinking far too much and now wishes to confront this head on.”

Magistrates were told Childe has no previous convictions.

She was disqualified from driving for 32 months and handed an 18-month Community Order. As part of the order, she must complete a 12-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

 

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