Haverfordwest man disqualified for 12 months following A40 stop

A 32-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest motorist has been banned from driving for 12 months after police received information that he may have been driving under the influence of cannabis.

OMAR Lee was stopped on June 6 after officers were alerted that he was driving his Volkswagen Tiguan on the A40 at Clarkenhill, Canaston Bridge.

“Police had suspicions after being told that the defendant was a cannabis user,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Lee provided a positive roadside drugs swipe and was arrested. Further blood tests at the police station showed 4.4 mcg of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol — more than double the legal limit of 2 mcg.

Lee, of Prendergast, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to drug driving.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £500, and ordered to pay a £200 surcharge and £85 costs.

Judge warns defendant this is his “last chance” as suspended jail term imposed

A 49-YEAR-OLD man who walked into Cardigan town centre carrying a 20-inch kitchen knife has been given a suspended prison sentence.

BENJAMIN Learoyd was arrested on August 9 after police received reports that he had left his address in Bath House Road with a large knife.

“He was heading into Cardigan town centre,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Officers located Learoyd at around 9:15pm as he walked down Feidrfair towards Finch Square. He was detained, and the knife — concealed inside his jacket pocket — was recovered.

“It was a kitchen knife and measured 20 inches in its entirety,” Mr Davies said.

Learoyd, of Llysowen, Bath House Road, Cardigan, pleaded guilty to possessing the knife and to failing to surrender to court bail on November 4.

“It’s very concerning that you left your accommodation with a knife, and that you had in mind inflicting harm on others,” Judge Layton told him. “This crosses the custody threshold.”

Learoyd was sentenced to 36 weeks in custody, suspended for two years. He must complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay a £154 surcharge and £845 in costs.

“This is your last chance,” the judge warned. “Any person who goes out with a bladed article, resulting in a second conviction, will have a minimum sentence.”

A deprivation order was made for the knife.

Ten-year-old dog found emaciated with facial wound as judge warns custody “starting point” for sentence

A COURT has been shown harrowing footage of a ten-year-old labrador found wallowing in its own excrement with a severe facial injury, signs of malnutrition and an inadequate supply of water.

Residents in Milton Crescent, Milford Haven raised the alarm after hearing the dog – known as Andy – howling continuously for three days.

This week the owner, Candice Mottram, 32, appeared before a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where she pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the animal’s veterinary needs were met.

RSPCA inspectors and Pembrokeshire County Council officers discovered the dog on April 5 after repeated attempts to contact Mottram went unanswered.

“The RSPCA received information that a dog had been heard howling for three days and three nights at the defendant’s address,” said Kevin Withey, prosecuting on behalf of the charity. “But the defendant was not there.”

Messages were sent to Mottram warning that the dog was injured and bleeding from its mouth but, despite the messages being received, the court heard she gave no response.

Police eventually forced entry to the property, where inspectors were met with an “overwhelming smell of animal faeces” coming from the kitchen. Inside, they found Andy.

“There was excrement all over the floor and it became clear the dog was emaciated,” Mr Withey said. “When he was let out into the garden, he immediately began drinking from a dirty water butt.”

Mottram had been drinking in a local pub before returning to the address a short time later. “She was defensive and irate when asked about the dog’s condition, claiming she had provided treatment historically,” he added.

With Mottram’s permission, the dog was removed and taken to a veterinary clinic. There, Andy was assessed to be in very poor body condition, scoring two – possibly three – out of ten.

“He was extremely emaciated, had eye and ear problems, and the cut to his face was either an old wound or a burst abscess full of discharge,” said Mr Withey. “This caused unnecessary suffering due to prolonged neglect and the defendant’s deliberate choice not to seek veterinary care.”

Photographs of the dog were shown to District Judge Layton.

Given the seriousness of the case, the judge adjourned sentencing to December 17 to allow the probation service to prepare an all-options report. Judge Layton warned Mottram that the starting point for her sentence is 18 weeks in custody.