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News

Car drifter’s ‘moment of madness’

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‘A moment of madness’: Ben Griffiths

‘A moment of madness’: Ben Griffiths

A VIDEO posted on the Pembrokeshire Herald website and Facebook page showing dangerous driving on a Haverfordwest roundabout last year has led to the driver of the vehicle being banned.

Over 100,000 people viewed Ben Griffiths’ antics in the film which depicted him ‘drifting’ his BMW around a roundabout.

The Milford Haven man appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday (Apr 26) where the 21-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence, which happened last November in Haverfordwest.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court: “Police got to find out about this incident because of some footage placed by a friend of Mr Griffiths on social media. This led to Officer Dwayne arresting Mr Griffiths for this incident of dangerous driving which happened on November 1 at 12.38am.

“The vehicle in question was found in a lock up managed by the defendant, which was found to match the vehicle in the film.

“The video shows the car heading eastbound on to the Cardigan roundabout at the top end of Haverfordwest. The ground was dry at the time.

“The driver of the car negotiates the roundabout, heading towards Scotchwell. The footage stops, then shows the vehicle coming back.

“The driver, Mr Griffiths, purposely makes the car slide around the roundabout, doing one and a half circuits, continuing his drift manoeuvres.

“Police, who undertook a vehicle examination of the defendant’s BMW found it to be defective, stating that it is ‘unroadworthy’ and in dangerous condition.

“Mr Griffiths presented himself as a potential hazard for road users. The car was also modified, with its 1.9 litre engine being removed and replaced with a 3 litre engine, which wasn’t disclosed in the vehicle’s insurance. Mr Griffiths has no previous convictions.”

In his statement, Ms Morgan said that Griffiths stated: “I only use the car for Pembrey Circuit drift track. When the video was circulated online, I’ll admit it is me. I shouldn’t have done it on a public road. I didn’t put anyone in danger though.”

Mark Layton, representing Griffiths, explained: “Ben Griffiths is a man of clean character. He is hard-working and is currently holding down a job.

“This incident was a moment of madness. He is passionate about drifting, but doesn’t try to minimise his actions that night – he knows it was stupid. He feels as if he has placed everything in jeopardy.

“Mr Griffiths is a valued employee. His boss gave a character reference for the court. It speaks highly of him, also mentioning: ‘

As his job is fixing cars and driving cars, he’s not going to be able to fulfil his employment responsibilities.’”

“The defendant hopes that his career hasn’t been destroyed. It has already been badly damaged by his actions.

“He was alone in the vehicle and says he was completely in control due to his off-roading experience. He says that no one else was endangered by his actions. He felt comfortable in carrying out this skill, but just did it in the wrong place.

“Not being able to drive will add four hours to his commute to and from work.”

Probation Officer Ms Norman told the court: “I have talked to Mr Griffiths. He had been working on his vehicle. He took it up the bypass for a test drive.

“He can’t explain his actions in driving the car. There could’ve been a risk of something happening. It was a stupid action on his part.

“Fixing cars is his life. He’s been working in the garage for four and a half years. He’s recently moved in with his girlfriend and any effect on his employment will affect his girlfriend too.

“This is his first offence. Hopefully he would’ve learned his lesson about driving like this on a public road.”

Mark Layton continued: “Mr Griffiths’ clean character speaks for itself. He hasn’t been to court before and he is unlikely to come to court again.

“Driving is his life – it is a great love of his. He relied on it in his work, and this driving ban will definitely have career implications.

“If the disqualification is not for too long then his employers may keep him on until he can complete the extended driving test in twelve months time.”

Magistrates told Griffiths: “We have reduced the severity of the sentence due to Layton’s mitigation and early guilty plea.”

Magistrates issued Griffiths with a 12 month driving disqualification, with the need to complete an extended retest at the end of the ban.

He was also told he would have 12 weeks custody suspended for 12 months. As part of this, he will have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He also had to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £80 victim surcharge.

Magistrates told Griffiths: “Consider yourself a very lucky man. Lucky that you’re walking out of this court and not down to the cells and lucky you didn’t kill or injure anyone.”

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News

Oriel y Parc opens its doors to a world of peace and tranquillity

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An exhibition featuring the work of two leading artists and illustrators is to open at the National Park Discovery Centre in St Davids.

Featuring the work of Jackie Morris and Elly Morgan, ‘Tangnefedd Rhyngom: Peace Between Us’  invites visitors to explore the theme of peace, creating an opportunity for people to pause, reflect and connect with the quiet beauty of the world around them.

The exhibition brings together two distinct approaches to peace.  Jackie Morris – illustrator, artists and writer best known for The Lost Words and The Lost Spells – presents a series of prints depicting painted doves, using her signature style to convey peace as a dynamic force.  In contrast, Elly Morgan, known for her intricate ceramic work, offers a tactile interpretation of peace through her ceramic doves which draw inspiration from Pembrokeshire’s  natural landscapes.

Elly Morgan’s Wings of Peace

On World Poetry Day (March 22), Jackie Morris will host a talk and a question and an answer session which will provide a deeper insight into the exhibition as well as  themes that inspire her work.  The free event will take lace between 2 pm and 3 pm. 

Meanwhile Elly Morgan will lead a family-friendly workshop from 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday, March 23.  The drop-in invites participants of all ages to contribute to a collaborative installation using recycled materials and acrylic paints.

The exhibition will be on display at Oriel y Parc until Sunday, April 27.

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Crime

Haverfordwest woman jailed for assault occasioning actual bodily harm

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A HAVERFORDWEST woman has been jailed for assaulting another woman, with magistrates ruling that only a custodial sentence was justified.

Sarah Moane, 34, of Three Meadows, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Mar 13), where she was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that on December 27, 2024, Moane assaulted Kayleigh Summers, causing her injuries. She was found guilty of the offence on March 13, 2025.

Moane was already serving a 10-week custodial sentence, imposed by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on August 6, 2024. The latest sentence is to run consecutively, with the court citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that it was committed while Moane was subject to a suspended sentence. The offence was further aggravated by intoxication and domestic violence.

She was also ordered to pay £650 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Restraining order imposed

A restraining order was issued against Moane, preventing her from:

  • Contacting Kayleigh Summers by any means, directly or indirectly.
  • Entering any premises occupied by Summers as her usual place of residence.
  • Posting or causing to be posted any references to Summers on social media or any other electronic platform.

The order remains in place until March 12, 2026.

The court noted that no compensation was awarded due to the provoked nature of the attack.

Presiding over the case were Magistrates Ms V Knapp, Miss L Gunter, and Mr N Samuel, with Ann Griffiths prosecuting.

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Community

Welsh public bodies pledge new approach to public tragedies

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ORGANISATIONS across Wales have signed a landmark charter committing to greater openness, transparency, and accountability in their response to public tragedies.

The Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy calls for a cultural shift in how public bodies engage with bereaved families, ensuring lessons from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath prevent similar experiences for those affected by future tragedies.

Welsh Government, local authorities, police forces, the Welsh Ambulance Service, and fire and rescue services have all pledged to support bereaved families and communities following major incidents. The commitment aims to ensure services are responsive to the needs of those affected before, during, and after such events.

A launch event will take place in Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday (March 18), attended by Bishop James Jones KBE, who authored the charter as part of his report on lessons from Hillsborough. Survivors and bereaved families from Hillsborough, Grenfell Tower, Manchester Arena, and Aberfan—just miles from the launch site—will also be present.

Bishop Jones said: “Today, the nation of Wales is leading the way, with over 50 public bodies signing this charter. In doing so, the culture of these organisations is beginning to change, with a renewed commitment to public service and respect for the humanity of those we serve.

“The charter is a promise that, after any future tragedy, no one will be left to navigate their grief alone, nor endure the ‘patronising disposition of unaccountable power.’

“This is a pivotal moment for the nation as we embrace the principles of the charter and pledge to place respect for humanity at the heart of all public service.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, chair of the Joint Emergency Services Group in Wales, emphasised the importance of cooperation in supporting families: “By working together, we can use our collective expertise and resources to provide meaningful support to those in need during times of crisis and beyond.”

South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Travis highlighted the long-term commitment required: “By signing the charter, each organisation is making a public statement to learn from past tragedies and ensure bereaved families are treated with care and compassion—not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the weeks, months, and years that follow.

“While today is a landmark moment, the real challenge is embedding the charter into our training and culture so that it becomes an integral part of our response to any public tragedy.

“The involvement of the bereaved and survivors has been instrumental in bringing about this significant step forward.”

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