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“All Wales” drink / drug drive campaign results

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JS53752269OVER 9000 breath tests were carried out and over 190 drug wipes administered during an All Wales campaign

Led by Dyfed-Powys Police, the campaign ran from June 10th until July 10th during which time a total of 9,532 breath tests were administered across Wales with 306 of those being positive, refused or fail to provide. 199 roadside tests for drugs were administered with 131 showing positive for drugs.

The offence of drinking alcohol or taking drugs and driving is one of the “fatal 5”; the five offences that can lead to death or serious injury on our roads.  The others being careless driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving while on a mobile phone.

Breath tests

Dyfed Powys Police administered 2751 tests of which 68 tests were positive, refused or failed to provide.

Gwent Police carried out 1004 tests with 51 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.

In the South Wales Police area 1819 tests were conducted with 109 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.

North Wales Police carried out 3958 tests with 78 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.

Drug Wipes Administered

Dyfed Powys Police 23 with 11 being positive

Gwent Police  65 with 39 being positive

South Wales Police  51 with 45 being positive

North Wales Police 60 with 36 being positive

Dyfed-Powys Police Assistant Chief Constable, Pam Kelly, said: “This campaign identified a significant number of motorists in Wales who continue to ignore this important legislation around drink and drug driving.

“If you drink or take drugs and drive you will potentially not only ruin your life, but the lives of others. There is absolutely no excuse for drinking or taking drugs and driving and the consequences can be devastating.

“Although this was a month-long focussed campaign, the drive to change attitudes, increase road safety and catch offenders will continue year round.”

Chair of Road Safety Wales, Susan Storch, said: “We were clear in our messages throughout the campaign that drink or drug driving is not acceptable, and will not be tolerated. The police services also made effective use of the new legislation under Section 5a and made some significant arrests during the campaign period.

“Those that selfishly break the law are endangering themselves and, more importantly, other road users. Drink and drug driving ruins lives all year round and we will continue to work closely with the Police in reinforcing these messages throughout the year.”

Anyone with information about people drinking and driving should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

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Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • A second count of assault
  • Criminal damage
  • An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
  • A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

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Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

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Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.

  • Multiple assault allegations
  • The charges listed before magistrates include:
  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • Intentional strangulation
  • Common assault of a woman
  • Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
  • Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
  • A breach of bail conditions

The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.

Bail breached — defendant remanded

On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.

He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.

The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.

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Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

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Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.

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