News
Drink-driver handed hefty fine after failing to stop

A DRIVER who failed to stop after he collided with a car in front of him has been given a hefty fine by Magistrates this week.
Andrew Smith, aged 36, of Hunwick Walk, Stockon-On-Tees, appeared before the Courts in Haverfordwest on Tuesday (Aug 7), and pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to stop and another of failing to provide a specimen.
Prosecuting, Mr Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the Court: “The defendant was driving his white van up Bush Hill and the complainant was stationary, waiting at the lights but the defendant has driven into the back of him.
“Police received a call saying they had been driven into and that the car had driven off. The police arrived and the complainant said they had gone in the direction of Pennar. The police drove in that direction and saw the van not far away.
“They spoke to the defendant at the scene and he provided a roadside sample of 97. He was taken to the police station but officers noted that Smith was very flippant with them at the time and that he wasn’t taking the procedure seriously.
“He was asked if he had had anything to eat or drink and his reply was ‘yes, you gave me a burger and a pint of lager. He gave four samples but there was an insufficient flow for an evidential reading. The readings he did give ranged from 71-86 so he was somewhere in excess of twice the limit.”
Defending, Mike Kelleher added: “Smith made a misjudgement on this occasion, he thought the car in front was going to pull away but that didn’t happen and there was a collision.”
Smith panicked and drove off but the father of the complainant got out and walked to where Smith had parked up and told him to stay in the vehicle.
“That is where police found him, around half a mile away. This was a works van and he has been forced to resign from his job as a result of this but he has found another job in Bristol.
“As for the second charge of failing to provide, he is at a loss as to why he was able to do at the roadside but failed to do so at the police station. The readings taken had a range of 71-86.”
Magistrates told Smith that his behaviour at the police station was unacceptable as they were just doing their job stating: “Police don’t deserve to be treated like that.”
Smith was banned from driving for a period of 12 months and was also fined £266. He was also fined the same amount for failing to stop.
His license was also endorsed and he was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Smith was also offered the drink-drive awareness course which could reduce his ban if completed successfully.
News
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED
THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.
The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.
AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.
Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Business
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.
At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.
Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.
Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’
Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.
Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’
To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.
Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
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