News

Haverfordwest drug user caught by police on Christmas Day

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2023

A CHRISTMAS DAY drug binge ended on the wrong side of the law for a Haverfordwest user after police officers discovered heroin inside his vehicle.

David Martin was stopped by the officers as he drove his Seat Ibiza through Jury Lane on the afternoon of Christmas Day.

As he was being spoken to by the officers, he admitted being a drug user and confirmed he had taken a quantity of illegal drugs on Christmas Eve.

Subsequent blood tests carried out at the police station confirmed he had 425 mcg of the cocaine derivative Benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50) and 59 mcg of MDMA, otherwise known as Ecstasy. The legal limit is 10.

During a search of Martin’s vehicle, police discovered 0.32g of Class A heroin which had a street value of between £25 and £30.

He was also found to be driving the vehicle without a valid test certificate when stopped by the officers.

Martin pleaded guilty to this charge together with two charges of driving whilst over the legal drug-drive limit and of possessing heroin.

He was legally represented in court by Mr Stuart John who stated his client’s drug use began following the termination of a long-term relationship.

“It broke down acrimoniously and for a very short period of his life, things spiraled out of control and he began using cocaine. But this day was the only time in his life that he’d every used heroin.”

Mr John added that Martin has refrained from using illegal drugs since his arrest.

After considering the mitigation magistrates disqualified Martin from driving for 23 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed for the drugs

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

16 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.