News
Eight in the dock over cocaine supply ‘plot’
EIGHT people from west Wales appeared before a judge in one of the largest alleged cocaine conspiracies ever seen at Swansea crown court on Tuesday (July 15).
Nineteen people in total stand charged with conspiring together to supply cocaine between January 1, 2012, and March 23, 2014. A 20th person is also alleged to have been involved.
Those appearing today included Greg McKenzie, aged 28, from Awelon, Blaenwaun, Whitland,
Thomas Salmon, aged 33, of Llanmill House, Llanmill in Narberth, David Evans, aged 42, from Crud y Wawr in St Clears, ‘Cockney’ John Fitzgerald, 44, of Priory Lodge Drive, Milford Haven, Marcus Randall, aged 43, of Heol Becca, Carmarthen, Daniel Gila, aged 26, from City Road, Haverfordwest, Emanuel Handford, aged 23, of Glannant Road, Carmarthen and Louise Thornton, aged 27, from Whitemill in Lampeter Velfrey.
McKenzie, Fitzgerald, Salmon and Evans entered pleas of guilty, as did two men from Merseyside and one from Swansea.
They were remanded in custody and will be sentenced after proceedings against the other defendants have been completed.
Hanford also admitted the charge. He was granted bail and Judge Keith Thomas agreed a probation officer should prepare a report into his background in time for the sentencing hearing.
The remaining defendants will be asked to enter pleas at a case management hearing on August 7 and were granted bail meanwhile.
Robin Rouch, prosecuting, said it was alleged that some of the defendants had been involved in the supply of cocaine while others had allowed their bank accounts to be used for the transfer of drugs money.
AN AMBLESTON motorist was disqualified after crashing his car into a hedge while over twice the drink-drive limit.
Andrew John, 59, collided with a signpost and hedge near Clarbeston Road on November 2.
Breath tests revealed 89 mcg of alcohol in his system; the legal limit is 35.
John pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving without a valid licence.
He was handed a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days and was banned from driving for 22 months.
John was also ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
A HOMELESS man narrowly avoided jail after assaulting a security guard at Morrisons in Haverfordwest.
Michael Carruthers, 32, pleaded guilty to attempting to steal food and assaulting security guard Maxwell Opoku, causing him to fall and injure his shoulder.
In court, Carruthers’ solicitor highlighted his client’s homelessness and ongoing struggles.
Carruthers was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 28 weeks, with 20 rehabilitation activity days and £200 compensation to Mr Opoku.
He must also pay £185 court costs and a £154 surcharge.
A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed for breaching a restraining order just three weeks after being sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.
Zachariah Roberts, 23, of Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, was prohibited from contacting Briony Smith.
However, police found evidence of contact via a GPS tracker and discovered Smith’s belongings at Roberts’ property on January 6.
Roberts pleaded guilty to breaching the order and was sentenced to six weeks in custody, serving half in jail and the rest under supervision.
He was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
Garage owner faces rape charge, case sent to Crown Court
A HAVERFORDWEST garage proprietor has been dealt what has been described as ‘very stringent bail conditions’ after appearing before a...
Gardener cleared of exposure after court hears incident was accidental
A PEMBROKESHIRE gardener has been found not guilty of exposing his ‘flaccid penis’ to a female property owner after agreeing...
Dyfed-Powys Police pays out hundreds of thousands in compensation claims
NEW figures reveal Dyfed-Powys Police has paid out £324,000 in compensation over the past five years, following nearly 200 claims...
Rail passengers in west Wales ‘let down’ by hundreds of train cancellations
RAIL passengers in west Wales are being “let down” following the cancellation of more than 650 Transport for Wales (TfW)...
Police issue update following incident at Tenby multi-storey
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed this morning that they are investigating a collision on the ground floor of the multi-storey car...
Emergency services dealing with ‘serious incident’ at multi-storey car park
POLICE, ambulance crews and the air ambulance are attending to what is being described as a ‘serious incident’ at Tenby’s...
Pembroke Dock man denies historical sexual offence allegations
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has denied indecently assaulting two children under the age of 14 and inciting them to commit...
Pressures remain high despite the end of ambulance ‘critical incident’
AMBULANCE service pressures remain high despite the end of a 48-hour critical incident declared by the Welsh Ambulance Service. The...
Pembroke man to face court over historical child sexual offences
A SIXTY-YEAR-OLD man is due to appear in court on Thursday (Jan 2) facing multiple historical child sexual offence charges...
Former Port Chair Dr Chris Martin Awarded OBE in New Year Honours
DR CHRIS MARTIN, former Chair of the Port of Milford Haven and a proud Pembrokeshire native, has been awarded an...
-
Crime5 days agoWoman who used stolen bank cards having new baby taken into care
-
News1 day agoSix-month old baby girl confirmed dead after being hit by car in Pembrokeshire car park
-
Crime5 days agoGrief stricken woman assaulted police officer after drinking binge
-
News11 hours agoMan charged after tragic death of six-month-old baby in Tenby car park
-
News7 days agoDisgust at overflowing bins and litter at Withybush Retail Park
-
Top News1 day agoFresh snow and ice warning issued for Pembrokeshire
-
Charity3 days agoTributes paid to former Tenby RNLI crew member Stuart Fecci
-
News5 days agoMilford sex offender’s child abuse images ‘most disturbing imaginable’
Pauline
July 18, 2014 at 12:11 pm
I think it’s a bloody farce