News

Crashed scooter on drink and drugs

Published

10 years ago

May 20, 2016

Stephen Rees: Banned from driving for 42 months

AFTER DRIVING under the influence of drink and drugs on a motor scooter without insurance or a valid licence, Stephen James Rees from College Park in Neyland was disqualified from driving for 42 months.

The 29-year-old appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 3) to plead guilty to four charges; driving without thirdparty insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving when alcohol level above limit, and driving while proportion of specified controlled drug above limit.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said that Rees was involved in a single vehicle collision on Neyland High Street on March 13, just before 5pm.

The defendant had lost control of his scooter while going around a corner and collided with a lamppost and railings. No lasting damage was caused.

Without a helmet on, Rees was thrown from his scooter and was badly injured so he was taken to Withybush Hospital.

He was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, so doctors at the hospital took a specimen of blood. This revealed not only 181mg of alcohol, but 3.9mg of cannabinoids in a litre of Rees’ blood as well.

Police checks also revealed that the defendant did not have a valid licence or third-party insurance permitting him to ride the motor scooter.

In interview, Rees admitted that he’d had ‘a few cans’, ‘topping up’ from the night before. He told officers that he had lost control going around the corner.

Matthew Greenish, defending Rees, said that his client had bought the scooter a few days previously with the intention of getting his licence. He said that Rees had smoked some cannabis the night before and that it had obviously stayed in his system.

“He decided to ride his bike, it was a stupid thing to do,” said Mr Greenish.

Magistrates said: “This is a very serious offence, you were lucky it was a lamppost and not a small child.”

Rees was fined £120 for the insurance charge and a further £40 for driving without a licence. Magistrates also fined him £80 for driving under the influence of alcohol and £100 for driving with cannabinoids in his system.

Three points were attached to Rees’ licence due to the insurance charge and he was disqualified from driving for 42 months for driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

Rees will also have to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs, meaning that he owes the court £445.

Community

Milford Haven Sea Cadets celebrate offshore voyage success

Published

10 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX CADETS from Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets have completed a challenging week-long offshore voyage aboard T.S. John Jerwood.

The cadets took to the water for a demanding but enjoyable week, gaining a number of qualifications despite difficult weather conditions.

The unit congratulated all six cadets on their achievements and thanked the Sea Cadet Offshore team for making the voyage possible.

A spokesperson said: “Voyages like this are only made possible by the brilliant Sea Cadet Offshore team. Thank you for the amazing work you do to allow this amazing opportunity to be possible.

“BZ all!”

The Milford Haven unit also thanked West Wales District Sea Cadets, South West Area Sea Cadets, Sea Cadets Offshore, South West Area Senior Staff Officer, and RFCA for Wales for their support.

News

Nearly 100 attend Big Green Service at St Davids Cathedral

Published

12 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

COMMUNITY EVENT CELEBRATES FAITH, NATURE AND ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

NEARLY 100 people gathered at St Davids Cathedral for the Big Green Service, a celebration of faith, community action and care for the natural world.

The service brought together worshippers, local churches and chapels, members of the Cathedral congregation, and visitors from across the world.

Those taking part included EcoDewi, Erw Dewi, Hope Worship Band, the Cathedral Choristers, Canon Sheridan, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Mamgu Welshcakes, the refreshments team, Cathedral staff and volunteers.

Visitors also attended from California, Philadelphia, Belgium, Malaysia and Patagonia.

Organisers said the event was a reminder to be grateful for the planet and to continue working together to protect it for future generations.

Community

Tenby 10k raises more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori

Published

14 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Tenby road race has raised more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Runners and sponsors taking part in last year’s Tenby 10k raised £20,559.07 for the Pembrokeshire charity, which provides hospice care to people in their own homes.

The race, organised by Waterfront Community Runners, took place in October 2025 and was well supported by locals and visitors, who lined the route through the town to cheer on competitors.

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, has now received the cheque, presented by a selection of those who took part in the event.

This year’s Tenby 10k will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, on a closed-road, two-lap course through the centre of Tenby.

More than 400 runners have already signed up, with entries now past 40 per cent capacity and organisers expecting the event to sell out again.

Anyone wishing to take part can enter at www.waterfrontcommunityrunners.co.uk.

All proceeds from this year’s race will again be donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Caption:

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, receives the cheque from Tenby 10k runners and organisers.