A PEMBROKESHIRE farmer has lost his job after being convicted of drug-driving, which he says followed a single lapse in judgement after the death of his grandmother.

Robert Evans, 39, was stopped by police on January 4 while driving along the A487 at Newport. Officers noted signs of impairment, and when questioned, Evans admitted to having consumed cannabis the previous evening.

A blood test later revealed 5.4 micrograms of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood—more than double the legal limit of 2.

“His grandmother passed away on New Year’s Eve, and four days later he visited a friend who had baked a cake containing cannabis,” his solicitor, Fenn Richards, told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He ate the cake because he was struggling to sleep. He didn’t think he’d still be over the limit the next day.”

Ms Richards added that Evans, of Berry Hill Farm, Newport, had not used cannabis in 15 years and had no prior convictions.

“Unfortunately, he has now been told that he will lose his job as a result of this offence,” she said.

Evans was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £346 and ordered to pay a £138 court surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

A MOTHER of five has been banned from the road after being caught driving through Hakin with cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in her system—just four days after the death of her long-term partner.

Amy O’Rourke, 33, was stopped by police on December 4 while driving her Vauxhall Vectra along James Street, Hakin. When questioned by officers, she admitted to having taken cocaine and cannabis the night before.

Blood tests later revealed she had 66 micrograms of cocaine and 800 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in her system—well above the legal limits of 10 and 50 respectively.

“She was with him when he passed away, which was four days prior to the offence,” her solicitor Fenn Richards told Haverfordwest magistrates. “She’d lost him and took the drugs in an attempt to numb her pain.”

O’Rourke, of James Street, Hakin, pleaded guilty to driving while over the specified drug limit. She was disqualified from driving and handed a nine-month community order requiring her to complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 court surcharge.

A MAN who had recently been released from prison turned to alcohol and crime after discovering his long-term partner had died while he was in custody, a court has heard.

Scott Cowdery’s solicitor told Haverfordwest magistrates this week that the news of his partner’s death caused him to “go off the rails” shortly after his release.

“Rather than focus on his rehabilitation, he went off the rails,” said his solicitor, Tom Lloyd. “He became extremely upset and turned to alcohol.”

On January 5, Cowdery entered Tesco in Pembroke Dock and was seen removing items worth £295.75. When challenged by a member of staff, he responded aggressively, shouting: “F*** off, I’ll smash your face in.”

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan confirmed the incident and said Cowdery had made no attempt to pay for the items before making threats to the store worker.

Mr Lloyd told the court his client has no recollection of the event.

“He was drinking very, very heavily at the time,” he said. “But there is a good side to him — he’s a good son and has a very supportive family around him.”

Following the theft, Cowdery was recalled to prison for an unrelated matter and will remain in custody until September 26.

“Since then, he’s been undergoing counselling and attending numerous courses,” added Mr Lloyd. “He’s making every effort to improve.”

Cowdery was ordered to pay £295.75 in compensation, along with an £80 fine, £85 in court costs and a £32 surcharge.