News

Letterston: Construction firm boss sentenced following tragic trench death

Published

10 years ago

April 11, 2016

FOLLOWING the tragic incident in June 2012 where employee and father of five children Glyndwr Richards died after a drainage ditch collapsed, the firm’s owner has been jailed for six months.

The construction company which is owned by William Ryan Evans was working on a Pembrokeshire housing Association housing estate in Letterston, Pembrokeshire when a recently excavated trench Glyndwr was in collapsed.

Swansea Crown Court heard that when the trench collapsed a colleague on site made desperate attempts to save the 54-year-old, digging at the soil that covered Mr Richards with his bare hands, but he could not be saved.

The court heard that Mr Richards died from traumatic asphyxia caused by being crushed by the weight of the soil.

Evans, aged 54, of Blaenwaun Twr, Trelech, Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty to breaching his duty of care to an employee on Monday (Apr 11) when in the dock.

The court heard a clerk of works for the housing association who had visited the site the week before the death had raised concerns with Evans about the lack of supports for the sides of the trenches being dug.

Similar concerns had also been raised by one of Evans’ employees.

On June 26 Mr Richards had gone into the trench in question to remove a clod of soil which had fallen and was blocking the newly laid drainage pipe when, without warning, the side of the trench collapsed on him.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire crews from Haverfordwest and Fishguard to the scene, as well as specialists from the fire service’s urban search and rescue team based in Earlswood near Briton Ferry. Paramedics also rushed to the scene, but nothing could be done.

The court heard Evans was an experienced contractor with no previous convictions.

Judge Peter Heywood said the dangers of trench collapse were well-known in the construction industry, and Evans had chosen to ignore specific warnings given to him about the Letterston earth-works, this was described by the judge as ‘wilful blindness’.

Evans was jailed for six months.

Crime

Valentine’s Day assault after money demand

Published

8 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Haverfordwest man given community order after woman pushed during argument

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sentenced for a Valentine’s Day assault after demanding money from a woman.

Daniel Maddox, 43, attended Michelle Talbot’s property in Haverfordwest on Valentine’s Day, 2026, where a family member heard the defendant demand money from the female.

“The couple could be heard arguing and then Maddox was seen pushing her forcefully, causing her to fall backwards,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “He was then seen throwing a mug to the floor, causing it to smash.”

Sian Vaughan said that, despite the force of the push, Ms Talbot sustained no injuries during the assault.

Maddox, of Shoemakers Court, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and causing criminal damage to the mug.

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order, during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the victim, fined £80, and ordered to pay £85 costs.

Crime

Milford woman fined after missing drugs assessment

Published

21 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

Court Reporter

Court heard cocaine and opiates had previously been found in her system

A MILFORD woman has been fined for failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after cocaine and opiates were found in her system.

An appointment was made for 46-year-old Marion Picton to attend the assessment on February 12 after drugs were found in her system last November.

But her failure to attend resulted in her appearance before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where Picton, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, admitted failing to attend the assessment.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.

Crime

Fishguard man banned for drink-driving Land Rover

Published

23 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Land Rover Defender stopped by police on High Street

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has admitted driving through Fishguard High Street while over the drink-drive limit.

Peter Griffith, 58, of Brynderw, High Street, Fishguard, was stopped by officers on May 12 as he drove his Land Rover Defender through High Street, Fishguard.

He went on to provide breathalyser tests that showed he had 56mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

This week Griffith pleaded guilty to the drink-driving offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

He was legally represented by Alaw Harries, who said this was the defendant’s first appearance before a court. She also submitted a number of character references to District Judge Mark Layton for his consideration prior to sentencing.

Griffith was disqualified from driving for a total of 16 months and was fined £376. He was ordered to pay a £150 court surcharge and £85 costs.