News

Kilgetty: Paralysed man’s drink driving ‘defies belief’ says judge

Published

10 years ago

August 15, 2015

Suspended sentence: Lewis Laville drove a non adapted car whilst over the limit, without a full driving licence or insurance

A DRIVER paralysed from the waist down who was caught driving at 80mph while over the alcohol level broke down in tears today as a he received a suspended prison sentence.

Judge Paul Thomas said the driving by Lewis Laville, aged 21, “defies belief.”

And the fact that he reached 80 mph after drinking “was simply staggering.”

Swansea Crown Court heard how Laville drove his girlfriend’s Toyota Yaris, which had not been adapted, by using his right hand to push down on his right leg to accelerate, and using his left hand to force the leg to operate the brake.

Asked by a police officer how he would react if a child ran out in front of the car he said he didn’t know.

Laville admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol is his blood and without insurance or a full licence.

He was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, banned from driving for two years and ordered to pass an extended test to get a licence in the future.

Laville, Powell Close, Pembroke, was also ordered to pay £900 in prosecution costs.

Huw Rees, prosecuting, said on May 27 a police officer in an unmarked car followed the Yaris along the A477 near Kilgetty and logged the speed as 80 mph. The officer stopped Laville after he turned onto the old Stepaside road.

A breath test showed a reading of 46 compared to the legal limit of 35.

Laville told the officer he had felt suicidal.

Mr Rees said Laville had been paralysed from the waist down since a motorcycle accident in September, 2011. Although he had access to a specially adapted motorbike the Yaris was a standard model.

His barrister, David Williams, said, “This was clearly dangerous and aggravated by the alcohol he had consumed.

“He is impulsive and unable to think through his actions.

“These are extremely unusual circumstances and he is truly in fear of receiving an immediate prison sentence.”

Mr Williams said Laville’s house had been adapted for his use but he would lose the accommodation altogether if he received a jail sentence of more than 13 weeks.

Mr Williams said Laville should receive credit for entering a plea of guilty. Judge Thomas said it would have been “interesting” to see what sort of defence he might have put forward.

Laville, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, broke down in tears as Judge Thomas told him he had come as close as he could possibly come to going into custody immediately.

Laville of all people, he added, should have appreciated what the consequences could have been for other road users.

He described his attitude as “appalling” both in the police station following his arrest and at court during a previous hearing.

Judge Thomas said the court would not be blackmailed by Laville’s claims that he wanted to kill himself.

That, ultimately, was a matter for “you, and you alone.”

However, he would bear in mind Laville’s physical condition, that he pleaded guilty and that his driving had not led to an accident.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

51 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

Published

58 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

Published

2 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.