38-year-old overturned car after losing control and hitting parked vehicle

A HAKIN motorist has been disqualified from driving after crashing his vehicle while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that just before 7:00pm on Thursday (Jan 9), police received reports of a road traffic collision at Lower Hill Street, Hakin.

“The driver had lost control of his vehicle and collided with a parked car, resulting in his own vehicle ending up on its side,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

When officers arrived, they spoke to Lee Macdonald, 38, who admitted he had been driving the overturned vehicle. He also confirmed he had consumed alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel.

A subsequent blood test showed Macdonald had 114 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Macdonald, of Acorn Cottage, Lower Hill Street, Hakin, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Representing him, Jess Hill told magistrates he had no previous convictions.

“At the time of the offence he was having troubles with his relationship, and his alcohol consumption increased as a result,” she said.

“This affected his judgement and his decision making, and gave him the false confidence to get behind the wheel, which is something he regrets immensely. He realises the consequences could have been much more serious.”

Macdonald was disqualified from driving for 14 months. He was fined £125 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

43-year-old asked officer for help while holding weapon and later admitted criminal damage

A PEMBROKE DOCK man who arrived at a police station carrying a sharply pointed knife has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that just after 6:30am on Tuesday (Mar 4), an on-duty officer at Pembroke Dock police station heard a knock on the main door.

“When he opened it he saw Sam Wilkins who asked the officer to help him,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

“He was holding a black-handled knife in his hand, and he appeared agitated.”

The court was told that when Wilkins, 43, was asked to step back and drop the knife, he complied.

Wilkins, of Bethel Road, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and to a second charge of criminal damage.

Magistrates heard that on Sunday (Mar 2), police received a report of a man attempting to gain entry to a property in Pembroke Dock.

“The inhabitant knew the defendant to say hello to, but he’d turned up at her property early that morning, banging on the door and causing a window to crack,” said Nia James.

The cost of the damage was estimated at around £200.

Both offences were committed while Wilkins was subject to a community order for breaching a restraining order.

Despite the seriousness of the case, probation officer Julie Norman urged magistrates to impose a suspended sentence, stating that Wilkins was willing to engage with support services.

This was supported by his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

Wilkins was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He must complete a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also ordered to pay £150 compensation, £170 prosecution costs and a £154 surcharge.

50-year-old stopped near car wash after Tesco staff raised concerns

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been disqualified from driving after being convicted of his sixth drink-driving offence.

Stephen Jonathan, 50, was spotted by police officers driving his Mercedes A-Class near the car wash in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on the afternoon of Friday (Mar 7), staff at Tesco became concerned about his behaviour.

“He’d gone into the store to buy alcohol but they refused to serve him, knowing he was under the influence,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

“They alerted the police who saw him driving at the nearby car wash.”

A subsequent breathalyser test showed Jonathan had 50 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The court was told Jonathan has a history of similar offences, including two previous failures to provide breath specimens and five drink-driving convictions, the most recent in 2019.

Jonathan, of Wellington Road, Hakin, pleaded guilty to driving whilst unfit through drink.

Representing him, Fenn Richards said he had consumed one can of alcohol that afternoon but had also been using large amounts of mouthwash following recent dental implant work.

“It’s possible this could have had an impact on his reading,” she said.

“But he didn’t think he was going to be over the limit on this occasion.”

Jonathan was disqualified from driving for 38 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.