A former local authority housing officer has admitted driving through Milford Haven town centre when she was almost three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Julie Askew, 50, was seen drinking from a can of alcohol as she drove her Toyota Aygo in the Havens Head Business Park on the afternoon of April 18.  After being arrested by police, Askew was asked to provide breathalyser tests which showed she had no fewer than  91 mcg of alcohol in her system, the legal limit being 35.

This week Askew, of The Chantry, Rosemarket, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court. She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd who informed District Judge Mark Layton that following a 20-year career in the coun’scil housing department, the defendant had suffered a catalogue of grief and trauma.

“Things spiralled out of control,” he said.

“She has been diagnosed with depression and post traumatic stress disorder as a result of events in her life.

“She deeply regrets her actions and is currently addressing her alcohol intake and doing her best to sort out her actions.”

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Layton said the offence had been aggravated by the fact that Askew was driving her vehicle through a busy retail area at 3.30 pm on a weekday afternoon.

“You were also driving whilst consuming alcohol,” he said. “You were going through a difficult time, but I have to consider protecting the public.”

Askew was sentenced to a nine month community order during which she must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.  She was disqualified from driving for 24 months and fined £120.  She must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Historic Pembrokeshire landmark ranked second in nationwide study by outdoor retailer GO Outdoors

ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL has been named one of the best free family-friendly attractions in Wales in a new nationwide study.

The historic cathedral ranked second overall in research carried out by outdoor retailer GO Outdoors ahead of the summer holiday season.

Researchers analysed UK search volumes, Google review scores and visitor popularity to identify the top free attractions for families across Wales.

St Davids Cathedral achieved an overall score of 9.53 out of 10, with 150,000 UK searches recorded in 2025 and a 4.8-star Google rating from more than 5,400 reviews.

The cathedral, located in Britain’s smallest city, attracts thousands of visitors every year and regularly hosts concerts, community events and family activities alongside its religious services.

Visitors praised the site online as a “beautiful, peaceful place”, with many highlighting its striking architecture and peaceful setting.

Taking the top spot was Big Pit National Coal Museum, in Blaenavon, which scored 9.83 out of 10. The museum offers free entry and explores Wales’ industrial heritage.

Third place went to St Fagans National Museum of History, near Cardiff, where visitors can explore more than forty original buildings from different periods of Welsh history.

Other attractions making the top ten included Llandaff Cathedral, National Museum Cardiff, National Slate Museum, St Asaph Cathedral, Swansea Museum, National Wool Museum and Ceredigion Museum.

Natalie Wolfenden, an outdoor expert and author at GO Outdoors, said: “The UK has an abundance of places to visit and activities to take part in. From walks in the Lake District to heritage sites, there is plenty on offer — and lots to do for free.

“If you are visiting an outdoor attraction, I would recommend packing for all weather conditions. A lightweight waterproof jacket and a pair of well-fitting shoes can make all the difference. No one wants to be wet and uncomfortable on a day out.”

A CARDIGAN farming company has been ordered to pay almost £20,000 after recklessly damaging a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd, run by David Glyn Jenkins and William Lloyd Jenkins, of Ty Hen, Verwig, admitted damaging the Llwyn Ysgaw, Caeau Crug Bychan and Ty Gwyn SSSI through the unauthorised use of manure, slurry, fertilisers and lime.

The offences took place between June 21 and July 31, 2024.

The court heard that Natural Resources Wales had repeatedly warned the company about how the protected land should be managed.

Aled Watkins, prosecuting for NRW, said an agreement made in 2004 made clear that the landowners needed written consent before carrying out certain activities on the site, including the use of slurry, herbicides, pesticides, fertiliser or lime.

He said: “A significant amount of guidance, advice and warnings has been directed to the company over a substantial period of time, as there have been problems before.”

The court was told advice had been given in 2017, with further discussions in 2021. Further problems were identified in 2024, leading to advice letters and then a formal warning in June that year.

Mr Watkins said: “Even after the letters were sent, no consent request was made.

“The common sense conclusion was that, where the original agreement was clear and advice had been given years prior, this was a deliberate act by the landowners of spreading slurry on the SSSI.”

Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging flora on the protected site, contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The company also admitted permitting the use of manure, slurry, silage liquor, fertiliser or lime without written consent from NRW, knowing it was likely to damage rare flora and fauna as well as geological and physiographical features.

Defending, solicitor Harry Dickens said the company had not deliberately set out to damage the land.

“This is more akin to the business damaging the land rather than setting out within their practices to do that damage,” he said.

He added that various contractors were used at the farm and were not always aware of the regulations.

“The defendants did not go out intentionally to harm the flora and fauna,” he said.

“Yes, they had foresight of the warnings and the previous agreement, but this is more akin to wilful blindness rather than going out intending to damage the land. It was not a flagrant disregard.

“The defendants were not loutish in their usage of the land, they are not vandals, they have not been silent and neither have they stonewalled NRW.”

Mr Dickens said the farmers accepted the need to restore the land and were keen to work productively with the authorities.

District Judge Mark Layton said Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd had breached NRW requirements.

“They spread fertilisers, herbicides and slurry on the land which was a breach,” he said.

“This was clearly a deliberate act of culpability and a complete disregard after already being given advice and warnings.”

The court heard the company’s most recent financial turnover was just over £1.6m. It was described by the defence as a micro-business.

Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd was ordered to pay £19,940.66, made up of a £9,000 fine, £8,940.66 costs to NRW and a £2,000 surcharge.

A restoration order was also made requiring work to improve the quality of the damaged SSSI land.