News

Newport: Driver jailed for ‘flagrant’ breach of suspended sentence

Published

10 years ago

May 1, 2015

A NEWPORT driver who escaped with a suspended prison sentence after using his car to harass a group of people has ended up in jail after all.

Craig Morgan Wilmott, aged 32, went on to take a car without the owner’s consent, drive while disqualified and refuse to provide police with specimens of breath to determine how much he had been drinking.

Patrick Griffiths, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 1) that Wilmott, of Maes Ingli, had gone on trial last year accused of deliberately running his Mitsubishi 4×4 into the group after they had become annoyed at how close to them he had driven.

Wilmott was convicted of dangerous driving and sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for 18 months, and banned from driving.

But on March 14 he went drinking in the Castle pub, Newport, and then took a Renault Clio belonging to Susan Lowe.

Mr Griffiths said at the time it was being used by her son who had left the keys in the ignition.

Wilmot drove to Haverfordwest where he was stopped by police purely by chance in Narberth Road, even before the car had been reported as missing.

Wilmot provided a roadside breath test which showed he was slightly over the drink drive limit.

But, added Mr Griffiths, after his arrest he refused to co-operate with a further test at Haverfordwest police station and had to be taken to the cells.

During interviews he said he knew the driver of the Clio and claimed at first he had been given permission to drive it.

Wilmott admitted all three offences, as well as driving without insurance.

His barrister, Janet Gedrych, said Wilmott had been going through turmoil in his life and at the time was facing an allegation of rape. He heard two days after his latest arrest that he would not be prosecuted.

Judge Keith Thomas said Wilmott had breached the suspended sentence in a “flagrant” manner.

The suspended sentence was activated, with an additional four months in prison for the latest offending, making 12 months in all.

Wilmott was banned from driving for a further 12 months.

Community

Tenby girl Poppy Brown wins national bravery award for heart disease battle

Published

2 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A BRAVE four-year-old girl from Tenby, who has undergone ten life-saving operations since being diagnosed as a newborn with congenital heart disease, has been honoured by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) at a prestigious national awards ceremony.

Poppy Brown received the BHF Young Heart Hero Award from Dr. Charmaine Griffiths, the charity’s CEO, at an event held at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey.

The awards, now in their seventh year, celebrate inspirational children who have faced serious heart health challenges with courage or raised vital funds through extraordinary efforts.

Hosted by CBBC’s Dr. Dan and Dr. Raph Olaiya, the event treated Poppy and her family, along with other young award recipients, to a fun-filled day. Tours of the park and party activities sponsored by Claire’s added sparkle to the occasion.

Dr. Griffiths praised Poppy for her bravery and determination, saying: “Poppy is an incredible example of strength and resilience. Her story inspires everyone in our mission to fight heart disease.”

The family described the day as “truly special” and thanked the BHF for recognising Poppy’s journey and achievements.

News

Council to grit roads as temperatures in Pembrokeshire set to drop

Published

2 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has announced that precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will take place tonight (Tuesday Nov 19) as road surface temperatures are forecast to drop to -1°C.

There is also a possibility of sleet on higher ground.

The council’s gritters will be active throughout the evening and overnight, with patrols scheduled for higher roads toward dawn to monitor conditions.

Road users are urged to exercise caution, particularly on untreated roads, and to plan journeys accordingly.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

5 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”