News

Dealer’s jail term cut

Published

12 years ago

March 14, 2014

A DRUG DEALER, who was violently sick in the dock as he was sent to prison for six years, has won a cut in his jail term on appeal.

Gary John Newell vomited at Swansea Crown Court as he was handed the sentence in October last year after admitting a string of drugs charges.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing cocaine with intent to supply – in December 2012 and April 2013 – having a bladed article and possessing the class B drug mephedrone, also known as M-Cat.

But Newell, of Tenby Court, Monkton, Pembroke, on Tuesday had his jail term cut to five years by judges sitting at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, who said the original sentence was ‘excessive’.

The court heard Newell was stopped by police while he was driving near Haverfordwest on 7 December 2012 and officers found a bag of cocaine hidden in his underwear, as well as a kitchen knife under the passenger seat.

The drugs had a street value of up to £2,450 and he also had £790 in cash. Analysis of his mobile phone revealed he had been dealing mephedrone in the months before his arrest.

Newell was released on bail and, undeterred by his brush with the law, continued peddling the illicit substances.

Officers were monitoring him on April 17 last year, when they saw him in Skomer Court, Haverfordwest, remove a bag from a shed and later return it. After he did the same the following day, police stopped him near Kilgetty and found he had nearly £2,000 cash on him. A search of the shed where he had been seen uncovered a stash of mephedrone worth £1,680 and cocaine divided in to eight street deals – worth £400.

The court heard Newell had become addicted to drugs after witnessing the death of an ex-partner and turned to drug-dealing to fund his habit.

His lawyers argued that his sentence was over the top, given his admissions of guilt, the relatively low amount of drugs involved, the motivation for his dealing and the personal tragedy which prompted him to start taking drugs.

Allowing his appeal, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said that, while he deserved a tough sentence, he admitted his guilt at the first opportunity and there were no ‘aggravating features’ – apart from his continued offending while on bail.

Sitting with Lord Justice Davis and Judge Simon Tonking QC, he added: “Although the quantities of cocaine involved may be towards the lower end of the scale, it is evident from the amounts of cash seized on each occasion that significant profits were being made from drug dealing.

“Not only was he involved in the unlawful supply of cocaine, but also of mephedrone.

“However, we are mindful that he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and thus was entitled to a full one-third discount.”

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.