News

‘Foolish’ driver banned for 24 months

Published

12 years ago

July 11, 2014

A HAVERFORDWEST man appeared in front of magistrates on Tuesday to face a charge of failing to provide specimen for a breath test and failing to stop.

Anthony Kane, aged 25, of St Davids Road, pleaded guilty to the charge. Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “On May 31 at 11.35pm, an officer received information about a dark coloured Audi that had collided with another car in Quay Street, Haverfordwest and had failed to stop. “The officer was driving along Albert Street when he saw a dark Audi driving with no headlights on. It proceeded to drive down Barn Street and the officer put on his blue lights to indicate the driver to stop. The car carried on and crashed into a small bollard before stopping. “The driver was smoking a cigarette when stopped, though it didn’t mask the smell of alcohol on his breath. Two females were in the back of the car, and were pleading to be let out as they were scared by the manner of his driving. “A roadside test gave a positive reading and Kane was arrested. A wing mirror was recovered that matched that of the Audi’s from the collision in Quay Street. Kane was abusive to the officer and gave partial readings, which even though were not complete showed he was over twice the legal limit. “A witness said that she and her friend asked Kane for a lift to her friend’s house. They did not know Kane but didn’t have enough money for a taxi. When they were sat in the back, the driver hit another vehicle and did not stop. He mounted the curb by Haverfordwest leisure centre and said he had about 20 shorts. “The defendant now claims he had about three or four drinks and says he was on medication and can’t remember the events, though it must have been him.” Defending, Mark Layton said: “Kane was asked by the two females for a lift and he foolishly said yes. He had driven to one of the girl’s house, and one got out and the other stayed in the car. They could have got out of the car then, they were not being held in the car against their will and they could have got out at any time.” Magistrates fined Kane £135 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge. He must also pay compensation of £1200 for damaging the wing mirror and wheel arch of the Ford Focus. He was also disqualified for a period of 24 months.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

3 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

Published

3 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

Published

4 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.