News

PCC Leaders coronavirus update: Monday 27th April

Published

6 years ago

April 28, 2020

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Councillor David Simpson,
has provided a further coronavirus update for Monday, 27th April, as
follows:

‘I hope this latest update finds you all well and you are managing
during these unprecedented times. Every day brings new challenges.
However, as I have reiterated on numerous occasions, we have to
stay strong, stay at home and stay safe.

‘I’m sure you will all agree that our frontline services are doing an
amazing job in keeping this country going. Everyone is facing new
ways of doing their roles and to date I am only hearing praise for how
everyone, collectively, is stepping up to tackle this pandemic.

‘I’m also aware that people are frightened and becoming frustrated at
the continued lockdown we face. But we have to continue on this road
to ensure the long-term solution to this awful situation.

‘Who could have imagined, at the start of this year, how 2020 would
pan out. Yes, these are very strange times but please be assured that
we will get through this. We will recover and move forward.

‘I want to highlight that tomorrow (Tuesday, 28 th April) is International
Workers’ Memorial Day. I will be joining thousands of people
throughout Wales in observing a minute’s silence at 11 am to reflect
on those who have died in the coronavirus pandemic.

‘It is also a chance for us to show our respect to all those working so
hard to care for people at this time. I hope you can pause for one
minute tomorrow at 11 am to show your respect
‘Today I want to thank the Authority’s contact centre and our housing
staff.

‘Our contact centre has carried on answering queries and phone calls
throughout the Covid-19 situation and I am sure you will agree that
the way they have undertaken their duties to reassure and guide
people has been a great assistance and strength to many.

‘Our housing team are working together to ensure that we support all
of our tenants and those who are homeless during this challenging
period.
‘Sourcing and preparing accommodation for those who are homeless
– or in an emergency situation – has been challenging. Despite this we
are managing to offer accommodation to those who need it.
‘The officers are conducting welfare calls to all of our 5,550 tenants as
well as to those in temporary accommodation to check on how they
are coping and to link them in to any essential services they might
need.

‘I personally want to thank both these teams for the way they are
professionally dealing with front-line issues. Thank you very much
‘To conclude today I want to reassure you all that as an Authority we
are continuing to deal with Covid-19 issues through our strategic
group.

‘I want to acknowledge the hard work of our strategic lead managers,
Richard Brown and Darren Thomas, for all their efforts and indeed all
the staff and Elected Members within the Council.

‘Every day we are faced with new challenges. However, the Authority
continues to move forward. Remember, together we are strong and
together we will get through this.

‘Press releases issued since my last update on Friday are:
 Council To Resume Grass Cutting:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/county-council-
to-resume-grass-cutting

 Spread The Word On How To Access Help:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/help-spread-the-
word-on-how-to-access-help-during-lockdown

 3D Project Helping To Protect Frontline Workers:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/3d-project-
helping-to-protect-frontline-workers

‘Public Health Wales is updating and adding to their resources
regularly. Please find all assets here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-
covid-19/coronavirus-resources/

‘Also, please keep an eye on our newsroom at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom

‘And to get daily email updates, log onto our website and sign into My
Account at:
https://myaccount.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

‘Don’t risk catching or spreading the virus, why risk it? Stay Strong,
Stay Safe and Stay at Home. Thank you.’

Useful links:

 www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
 www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/coronafeirws
 https://phw.nhs.wales/
 Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru – Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19)
– Cyngor hunan-ynysu
 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-
19-list-of-guidance

For the latest advice and press releases relating

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

4 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

5 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.