News

Local car dealership fined over £17,000 for selling ‘death traps’

Published

7 years ago

January 30, 2019

A LOCAL car dealer must pay over £17,000 in fines after he sold a car to a 22-year-old man that was described as a ‘death trap’.

William Frederick Howlin of Motec Autos, pleaded guilty to charges of being a trader who engaged in commercial practice which is a misleading action containing false information, producing an unsafe product on the market and fraud by false representation.

Magistrates at Haverfordwest Law Court on Wednesday (Jan 30) heard how William Howlin appeared before the court for offering up for sale ‘dangerous vehicles’, and attempted to ‘limit consumer rights’ when doing so by erecting ‘sold as seen’ signs around the forecourt.

Magistrates were told that in February last year, 22-year-old Glenn Alcock, who looks ‘much younger’ than his age, attended Motec Autos to look at an Audi with his mum. He took the Audi for a test drive and noticed that the engine light was on and there was a knocking sound, but was assured by Howlin that it would be sorted.

Mr Alcock worked as IT Technician at this newspaper until last year.

22-year-old Glenn Alcock: Magistrates were told he looked ‘much younger’ than his age

Mr Alcock proceeded to purchase the car, but continued to experience problems with it. He got back in touch with Howlin at Motec and said he wanted a partial refund or £500 for the part to fix the car, however Howlin refused, and said he was welcome to view other cars they had in stock.

Mr Alcock had seen a Mazda MX5 on the forecourt, and when he showed interest in it, he said Howlin tried to ‘put him off’ buying the Mazda, telling him the boot would be too small to fit his drum kit inside. However, the court heard that Mr Alcock liked the car, and wanted to purchase it.

Magistrates were told by Pembrokeshire County Council’s prosecutor, that Mr Alcock researched Mazda MX5s online, and found that there was a common rust problem with this particular make and model of car.

When he asked Howlin about any rust damage, he informed Mr Alcock that there was some surface rust, but it was fine. He claimed to have done the MOT on the car himself and there were no advisories.

Further down the line, Mr Alcock was informed by an employee that the Mazda MX5 he had purchased had been returned by a previous owner 12 months before. Following this, he took the car to Howarth Motors to be checked over.

He received a call from the garage asking him to come in to speak to them in person, where he was told that the car was ‘too dangerous to drive away’.

Mr Alcock called the Citizens Advice Bureau, who contacted Trading Standards. Mr Alcock was then refunded.

The court heard that there was so much corrosion on the underside of the car that when it was tapped with a screwdriver the rust ‘disintegrated’. Howarth Motors said that it was the ‘worst mechanical condition they had seen that had passed its MOT’.

Jenny Tree from Pembrokeshire County Council looked into previous MOT certificates for the Mazda MX5, and found that there had been advisories in the past regarding the rust. In May 2017, the car was bought by a man who purchased the car for £1,195. He said that he wanted to have it serviced, but didn’t get around to doing it until the August.

When he had it serviced, he was told that not to drive the car because it was a ‘death trap’, and a towing truck had to be arranged to transport it back. Mark Hicks of Motec offered him a refund and took the car back.

Ms Tree contacted Dave Ford, the person who had conducted the service on the car in August 2017. He said he was ‘horrified’ at the ‘heavy corrosion’ on the car’s wishbone, which had it come into contact with a curb would have ‘snapped’.

The court also heard that the calipers were only working on one piston as the others had seized.

The Mazda was examined by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), who said the defects were so severe that it should not have passed its MOT. Howlin said the car must have ‘hit something’ which had come off to reveal the damage, however, the VSA had noticed an underseal had been applied over the rust. Howlin then turned to accuse Howarth Motors, saying it must have been ‘hammered’ by them, but there was ‘no evidence’ of this.

The offside rear suspension components were dangerous and not roadworthy, and the Mazda was, all in all, ‘a danger to the user and other road users’.

The court heard that the underseal on the bottom of the car had been applied in what looked like an ‘attempt to camouflage’ the extent of the corrosion. The car was also noted during a brake test to be weighing in at 900kg, which is a ‘low weight’ for the make and model for the car.

When documents were reviewed, it was found that in July 2017, the automated brake test showed it weighed 1.182kg, which is the expected weight. This was described as an ‘anomaly’.

An inspection was carried out at Motec Autos by the DVSA, who were met by Mark Hicks. The court heard that Hicks seemed ‘agitated’ that they were around the back of the premises, and said that the only vehicles that were up for sale were the cars situated at the front. However, the DVSA noted that there were prices in the windows, and therefore they must be up for sale.

Six cars were selected at random for inspection, three of which were unworthy of being on the road, in particular a Vauxhall Corsa.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s prosecutor told the court that car dealerships are heavily complained about to trade centres and 26% of complaints are related to the safety of the cars.

Howlin’s defence solicitor, Mark Owen, said: “Howlin pleaded guilty on the first occasion and the case was adjourned to today two weeks ago. From the point back in May the intent was to deal with the issues constructively.

“When we first attended an interview, it’s clear that what is an important aspect of MOTs is that they are of gold standard. There are levels to MOTs that you can rely on them, but it’s not always the case. It’s not what you would expect it to be – it’s more the bare minimum.

“That was part of our argument. What became clear was this vehicle had been identified as having defects, and Howlin failed to take proper action. We have to accept information conveyed that it wasn’t good enough, and certain actions were taken immediately.

“The issues were erased with the young man, and he was refunded and an apology was given.”

Mr Owen added that the garage is a ‘heavy regulated’ part of the industry, and said: “What he may have done 30 years ago he can’t do today. He is not known to the court before, and he does have a good reputation in this area.

“His knowledge has served him well, but changes have occurred with regulations and he has failed to keep up with them. You can see from the paperwork he did take certain actions.

“He left other parties to deal with day to day sales, and there are questions of how things are passed through.”

Mr Owen continued: “The offences are accepted, the most serious being the Mazda MX5. 12 months before it had been returned and it wasn’t safe.

“This is an isolated incident. For over 38 years he has been in the trade without indication of flaw or serious problems. He wasn’t keeping up with professional developments and was failing to recognise the world had changed. It happens in farming sometimes. He is not a dodgy dealer. he wants to contribute to the community.

“He only feels remorse and shame. He will suffer reputational damage, however good his reputation has been in the past. His reputation will be damaged because he needs to build up trust again.”

Mr Owen finished, saying: “It’s going to take a great deal of time to put it right.”

Magistrates imposed fines, prosecution costs and victim surcharge of £6145 in total against William Howlin, and a further £11,215 against Motec Autos – £17,360 all together, which he must pay £500 per month for each offence.

He was also given a community order, with the requirement of completing 150 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Howlin told the Herald: “I disagree there were signs saying ‘sold as seen’ on the forecourt.

“I did not offfer Mr Alcock a partial refund, only a partial exchange on the car.”

Mr Howlin went on to deny that he told Mr Alcock that the car hit something: “I think the car must have been damaged at a third party garage.”

Crime

Teacher discharged as police step back from Milford Haven school after assault

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Teenager remains in custody as school closes and patrols increased to reassure community

POLICE have confirmed they are no longer stationed at Milford Haven School after a teacher was assaulted by a pupil on Thursday afternoon (Feb 5), as the injured member of staff has now been discharged from hospital.

In a joint statement issued by Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board, Superintendent Chris Neve said swift action had been taken to protect pupils and staff.

He said: “Police are no longer in attendance at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, following a report of the assault of a teacher at approx. 3.20pm this afternoon.

“I would like to reassure parents, and the wider community, that swift action was taken to both safeguard pupils and teachers, and to trace the suspect as soon as this report was received.

“The teacher has now been discharged from hospital and is being supported by specialist officers. All pupils at the location were safe, and all returned home unharmed. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

“You will see a higher than usual police presence in the area over the coming days – these will be dedicated patrols to provide further reassurance.”

The injured teacher was earlier taken to hospital by road ambulance.

An immediate lockdown was put in place at the school while emergency services responded. Most pupils had already left for the day, but those still on site were secured inside classrooms and offices as a precaution.

School closed on Friday

Council leader Cllr Jon Harvey said the school would be closed to pupils on Friday to allow support and safety measures to continue.

He said: “We would like to thank staff and pupils at Milford Haven School for implementing a swift and effective lockdown in response to this incident.

“While the school will be closed to pupils tomorrow, if there are any learners who require additional support they are welcome to attend and there will also be support for staff on site.

“We’d like to reassure learners and parents, along with the wider community, that all measures to ensure safety are being taken.”

The health board added that anyone needing urgent mental health support can call NHS 111 and press option 2 for 24-hour assistance.

National spotlight

The incident has drawn national media attention.

BBC News broadcast live from the school gates during its Ten O’Clock News bulletin, while ITV News and several national titles also covered developments.

Journalists from a number of UK outlets, including The Sun, contacted The Herald as events unfolded, with several Welsh and national publishers using photographs first taken by Herald reporters.

Residents said the scale of coverage was unprecedented for the normally quiet port town.

Police enquiries are continuing.

Photo caption:

Police outside Milford Haven School following Thursday’s incident (Pics: Herald).

Health

Health board targets rise in steroid and gym drug use across west Wales

Published

5 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE LOCAL health board has launched new targeted measures after recording a sharp rise in the use of steroids and other image-enhancing drugs across the region.

Hywel Dda University Health Board says needle exchange figures show significant growth over the past two years in people seeking support related to Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs), including anabolic steroids and so-called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs).

SARMs, while marketed online as safer alternatives to steroids, are illegal to sell in the UK and health professionals warn they carry serious and largely unknown risks.

The health board has now teamed up with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) and Choices, a young people’s substance use service, to tackle what officials describe as an “emerging public health challenge”.

Workshops and outreach

Two key initiatives have been introduced.

Educational workshops are being delivered to young people, focusing on the risks of using performance-enhancing substances during physical development and the potential long-term effects on hormones, mental health and fertility.

At the same time, enhanced support is being offered to people already involved in gym and fitness culture, with harm-reduction advice, health monitoring and confidential drop-in services.

Support includes testosterone testing, blood checks, cycle provision kits and discreet one-to-one consultations.

One service user described the programme as “quick, professional and non-judgemental”.

They said: “The drop-in clinic for my blood test was really convenient. I was seen quickly and given a full run-down of the services available. The staff made me feel comfortable the whole time and I got my results back faster than expected.”

Taking support into the community

The team has also worked directly with local gyms, leisure centres and sports venues, speaking to more than 100 people during five outreach sessions.

Twelve DDAS staff members have completed specialist IPED training delivered by Public Health Wales to strengthen expertise within the service.

Rachel Wilson, Resilient Families Manager at Choices, said the aim is to reduce stigma.

She said: “We’re proud to work alongside Hywel Dda to ensure people who use IPEDs are met with understanding, not judgement. These initiatives are helping us reach individuals who may not have previously considered accessing support.”

Craig Jones, Prevention and Population Health Improvement Manager, added: “This work is about meeting people where they are. By listening and responding with compassion and evidence-based care, we’re making a real difference.”

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health, said the approach showed the board’s commitment to early intervention.

She said: “These initiatives reflect a proactive, collaborative response to emerging health challenges and demonstrate our dedication to protecting the health of our communities.”

Anyone seeking confidential advice or support can contact DDAS on 03303 639997 to book an appointment.

News

Port security fears grow after naval sabotage arrests in Germany

Published

6 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Milford Haven and other UK energy hubs urged to stay vigilant amid rising European threats

CONCERNS about the security of major European ports have intensified after two men were arrested over an alleged attempt to sabotage German naval vessels at the Port of Hamburg.

Eurojust, the EU’s crime agency, said the suspects are believed to have deliberately interfered with ships by disabling safety switches, removing fuel tank caps, puncturing water lines and dumping more than twenty kilograms of abrasive gravel into an engine system.

Officials warned that, had the damage gone undetected, it could have caused serious mechanical failure, delayed deployments and endangered German Navy operations.

The suspects, port workers aged thirty-seven and fifty-four, were arrested in Germany and Greece following coordinated raids. Homes in several countries were searched as part of the investigation.

While Germany has not formally blamed Moscow, the arrests come amid growing fears of Kremlin-linked disruption activity across Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Recent incidents have included damaged undersea cables in the Baltic and suspicious drone activity around airports and military facilities.

Security analysts say ports — especially those handling military or energy assets — are increasingly viewed as soft targets.

The developments have clear relevance for west Wales, home to the Milford Haven waterway and the Port of Milford Haven — one of the UK’s most strategically important energy hubs.

The Haven handles a significant share of Britain’s liquefied natural gas imports and hosts major oil and gas infrastructure, alongside commercial and fishing traffic. Any disruption could have national consequences for energy supply as well as local jobs.

Maritime security experts say the Hamburg case highlights how insider access can pose risks.

The suspects there reportedly worked at the port itself, allowing them proximity to vessels and systems without raising immediate suspicion.

That has prompted calls for tighter background checks, improved surveillance and stronger reporting procedures at critical UK ports.

A senior maritime security consultant told The Herald: “The biggest threat is often not dramatic attacks but low-level interference — someone loosening fittings, contaminating fuel, damaging cables. Small acts can cause very expensive and dangerous failures.

“Energy and naval ports are now considered critical infrastructure and must be protected accordingly.”

A spokesperson at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Security across the Waterway is made up of physical measures, procedures, information‑sharing, and intelligence work. These activities are coordinated across all facilities to maintain an effective, intelligence‑led approach to security.

“Both land‑based and marine teams contribute, including commercial operators and government agencies. Each organisation uses its own vetting processes, all of which follow national standards, regulations, and best practice.”

UK vigilance

Across the UK, ports already operate under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, which requires controlled access zones, patrols and monitoring.

However, the scale and complexity of sites such as Milford Haven mean constant vigilance is needed.

Industry sources say collaboration between harbour authorities, police and counter-terrorism teams has increased in recent years, particularly following the war in Ukraine.

A Port of Milford Haven spokesperson previously said security measures are regularly reviewed and updated to “protect people, vessels and infrastructure”.

Police have not indicated any specific threat locally.

Nevertheless, the Hamburg arrests serve as a reminder that sabotage attempts are no longer theoretical.

For communities around the Haven — where tankers, refineries and supply chains underpin the local economy — the message is simple: what happens in European ports today could easily have implications at home tomorrow.