A MECHANICAL engineer has been jailed after he drove a BMW off the Pembroke Dock ferry despite being a disqualified driver.

James Phillips, who was disqualified from driving in 2022 and again in October 2023, was seen driving a vehicle off the ferry into Pembroke Dock just before 1:00 am on November 11.

This week, Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton that Phillips, 35, claimed during a police interview that he believed his disqualification had ended. However, in court, he alleged he had arranged for another person to drive the car off the ferry.

“If he believed his disqualification had ended, why arrange for someone to come and collect the car?” questioned Ms Vaughan.

Phillips claimed he’d gone to Ireland to purchase the car for his partner, arranging for it to be driven onto the ferry, but the driver failed to assist in Pembroke Dock, prompting Phillips to drive. Officers on duty at the port witnessed the incident.

Judge Layton, after considering the facts, sentenced Phillips to eight weeks’ custody. Phillips, of Gerdd Lingfield, Whitland, will serve half in custody and the remainder on post-sentence supervision. He was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 28 months.

WHEN police officers detected what they believed to be cannabis emanating from a couple walking along the beach at Tenby, they requested an on-the-spot search.

This week, District Judge Mark Layton viewed video footage of what officers described as a “scuffle” that broke out when the couple were informed of the search.

Jasmin McNally, 33, and Darren Hopkins, 40, were seen walking near South Beach, Tenby, in the early hours of October 24.

Body-worn footage showed officers stating that, due to the smell of cannabis, they wished to conduct a search. A scuffle then ensued, leading to the couple running toward the South Beach car park.

McNally and Hopkins, of Miles Court Cottages, Leominster, denied assaulting an emergency worker by beating and obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty. Both defendants chose to represent themselves and elected a Crown Court trial. They will next appear before Swansea Crown Court on December 13.

AN 80-year-old woman is to be brought before a district judge charged with causing unnecessary suffering to 11 donkeys and a pony.

Elizabeth Palmer is accused of failing to provide the animals with adequate and appropriate farrier care at The Retreat, Llethr Uchaf, Crymych, between September 5, 2023, and March 21, 2024. She is further charged with failing to ensure that the animals were kept in a suitable environment with an appropriate diet, adequate dental care, healthy coats, and protection from pain and injury.

Palmer was scheduled to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday; however, solicitor Kevin Withey, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, informed the court that she had recently been involved in a road traffic collision and suffered a fractured sternum. The matter was subsequently adjourned for two weeks.