News

Down stairs fall caused death

Published

10 years ago

June 4, 2014

PEMBROKESHIRE Coroner, Mark Layton concluded that the death of Howard Henry Drake was accidental death at Milford Haven Coroner’s Court on Thursday.

Acting Coroner, Gareth Warlow said: “Mr Drake was 76 years of age and resided in Croft Avenue, Milford Haven. He worked as a labourer and took early retirement in his 50s. He would drink whisky on a daily basis though his son says he was not an alcoholic. “Mr Drake had been drinking more whisky than usual on his birthday on February 4 and seemed happy, not drunk. At 10am the next day, a family friend went to his house and got no answer nor could they gain access to the house. “Mr Drake’s daughter arrived and said she could see her father’s feet at the bottom of the stairs. Mr Drake was found with his back slumped against the wall with his feet pointing up the stairs, telling us he had fallen down the stairs backwards. Paramedics arrived and pronounced life extinct.” The post mortem by Daniel Housa said that the alcohol level in Mr Drake’s blood was over three times the driving limit and had died of unnatural causes after falling down the stairs. He has suffered brain contusions, a haemorrhage and numerous skull fractures resulting from traumatic brain injury. The Coroner said: “From the evidence, I conclude that Mr Drake has fallen down the stairs and suffered head injuries resulting in accidental death.”

Crime

Cilgerran driver banned for drug use on Cardigan high street

Published

10 mins ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

A CILGERRAN motorist appeared before a district judge after driving on Cardigan High Street under the influence of cannabis.

On May 3, police officers on patrol detected a strong smell of cannabis from a Volkswagen Golf driven by Kim Haynes, 40.

A drugs wipe returned a positive result, with subsequent tests showing Haynes had 3.4 mcg of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, above the legal limit of 2.

Haynes, of Sun Cottage, Church Street, Cilgerran, pleaded guilty to driving over the specified drug-drive limit. She was fined and ordered to pay a total of £365, including costs and a court surcharge, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Crime

Motorist disqualified after cannabis-fuelled traffic collision

Published

25 mins ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD driver has been disqualified after a traffic pile-up on the A40 following cannabis use.

Officers attended Arnold’s Hill, Slebech, on March 29 in response to a multi-vehicle collision involving Kayleigh Taylor, 21, whose Toyota Aygo was on the opposite carriageway.

“There was a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle, so a drugs wipe was conducted, which returned a positive result,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. Further tests showed Taylor had 7.7 mcg of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, above the legal limit of 2.

Taylor, of Princess Royal Way, Haverfordwest, admitted to driving over the specified drug-drive limit and possessing 266.1 grams of cannabis found in her vehicle.

District Judge Mark Layton sentenced her to a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was disqualified from driving for 17 months, fined £80, and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Woman admits intentional strangulation in Fishguard assault

Published

28 mins ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has been sent to Crown Court for sentencing after admitting the intentional strangulation of a man at her property.

Holly James, 33, pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place at her home on Hamilton Street, Fishguard, on the night of March 14, 2024.

District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court, was told that following an argument, James pinned the victim to the sofa, placing her hands around his throat and restricting his breathing for five to ten seconds.

After reviewing a probation report, Judge Layton declared his sentencing powers insufficient, and James will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on December 3. She was released on conditional bail.