News
18-year-old motorist narrowly avoided M4 collision after taking Ecstasy
AN 18-YEAR-OLD motorist who was seen by police officers switching lanes and narrowly avoiding vehicles as he drove his BMW along the M4, was found to be driving with over three times the legal amount of Ecstasy in his system.
Officers saw the BMW 1 series driving towards Junction 49 on the M4 near Ammanford on the afternoon of Sunday, October 23.
“It was changing lanes and narrowly avoided a collision,” Crown Prosecutor Simone Walsh told Haverfordwest magistrates.
When officers stopped the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by Luke Miller of Stranraer Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock.
Blood tests carried out at Ammanford police station confirmed there was 32 milligrammes of MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, in his blood. The legal limit is 10.
Ms Walsh went on to say that six days earlier the 18-year-old had been stopped by officers as he drove his BMW through Johnston, near Haverfordwest.
“As officers approached the defendant, they noticed a smell emanating from inside the vehicle,” she said.
“The defendant claimed there was no cannabis inside the car and told the officers that they were welcome to check.”
But during their search, the officers discovered a shrink-wrapped plastic bag beneath the rear floor which contained 33 grammes of cannabis. Further tests revealed there were 2.9 milligrammes of Delta-9 in Miller’s blood, the legal limit being 2.
Luke Miller pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving and an additional charge of possessing cannabis.
He was represented in court by Mr Stuart John.
“My client has a lot to learn,” he said. “But I hope that this brush with the criminal justice system will be a lesson for him. He’s an honest young man who’s behaved foolishly, wants to make changes and has every intention to stop taking cannabis.”
After considering the mitigation, Miller was banned from driving for 23 months. He was fined £240 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £96 court surcharge. A destruction order was imposed for the cannabis.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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