News
Two convicted following fatal car crash which took Ella’s life
IN A HEARING Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday (Dec 20), Emma Price and Jago Clarke, both 21, have been found guilty of causing the death of 21-year-old Ella Smith by dangerous driving.
This tragic event unfolded on the B4341 at Portfield Gate, near Haverfordwest, on the evening of June 13, 2021.
Ella Smith, a passenger in Clarke’s Ford Ka, lost her life in the crash, while Daisy Buck, traveling in a Seat Ibiza, suffered severe injuries. Price, though not directly involved in the collision, was accused of competitive speeding with Clarke, contributing to the fatal outcome.
After extensive deliberation, the jury rejected Clarke’s plea of causing death by careless driving, convicting him of the more severe charges of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Price, who denied all charges, was found guilty as charged.
The court heard harrowing details from that fateful day.
Clarke had invited Smith to Broad Haven beach, intending to drive her car back despite only holding a provisional license and having consumed alcohol.
Luis Heathfield, a witness, recounted Clarke’s reckless boasting about overtaking everyone on the return journey.
The sequence of events leading to the crash was vividly described by witnesses. Heathfield recalled Price driving aggressively, seemingly to prevent Clarke from overtaking.
Rowan Fair, the Seat Ibiza’s driver, described witnessing the high-speed overtaking maneuver and the ensuing chaos.
Tragically, the aftermath was grim. Buck sustained serious injuries, undergoing surgery and extensive hospital treatment. Clarke himself suffered significant injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, and had no recollection of the incident.
Technical evidence revealed by the vehicles’ black boxes painted a stark picture. Clarke’s Ford Ka averaged 70mph in the lead-up to the crash, exceeding the 60mph speed limit. At the moment of impact, its speed was 51mph.
Price’s defence, denying any racing or reckless overtaking, was ultimately unpersuasive.
The defendants await sentencing on January 19, currently out on bail and disqualified from driving.
Judge Paul Thomas KC commended the jury for their diligent consideration of this complex and tragic case.
Crime
Albanian man jailed after cannabis farm found in Pembroke
AN ALBANIAN man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after police discovered a sophisticated cannabis farm in the former Lloyds Pharmacy on Main Street, Pembroke.
Dyfed-Powys Police officers raided the vacant property at 10:00am on Friday (Oct 18) and found 575 cannabis plants in advanced stages of growth across three rooms. The estimated yield of the plants could have produced between 15 and 45 kilograms of cannabis, valued at £170,000 to £500,000 on the street.
Inside the building, officers also discovered a makeshift living area with a bed and shower, indicating that the suspect, Amarildo Daja, had been residing there. Daja attempted to flee but retreated into the building, hiding in the ceiling when confronted by police. Officers assisted him down with a ladder before placing him under arrest.
The property’s electricity supply had been tampered with to avoid detection, and two mobile phones were found on-site—one damaged and the other wiped clean.
Daja, 27, admitted to police that he had been smuggled into the UK by a criminal gang to pay off a debt. He initially worked in London but agreed to tend the cannabis farm in Pembrokeshire three months prior to his arrest after struggling to make payments.
In court, his defense barrister, Caitlin Brazel, explained that Daja deeply regretted his actions, describing them as “out of character.” Daja, who has no fixed address, expressed a desire to serve his sentence and seek legal employment afterward.
Judge Geraint Walters noted that the case highlighted the need to target criminal organizations behind such operations. “If we want to tackle the issue of Albanian criminal gangs establishing cannabis factories, we must find the ringleaders,” he stated.
Daja will serve his sentence with the possibility of deportation upon release, subject to a Home Office decision.
(Main image: Martin Cavaney)
News
Ex-inmate jailed for posting video of Parc Prison employee
A FORMER inmate and prison reform advocate has been sentenced for posting a video of a staff member restraining a prisoner on social media.
Zachery “Zac” Griffiths, 32, of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, shared the footage on a public Facebook group, sparking a legal backlash.
Griffiths, of Golygfor, Llanelli, was arrested and said he had received the information from those inside the prison. He said he knew it was illegal to post the footage online but he believed it was in the public interest.
The defendant later pleaded guilty to transmitting or causing the transmission of an image or sound from a prison contrary to the Prison Act 1952, and causing to be sent by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene, menacing message or matter.
The court heard he has 50 previous convictions including malicious communications, possessing a prohibited item in prison and drug offences.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, the victim said: “The incident has had a lasting effect on my life, my anxiety is terrible especially at night time. Every time I heard a noise my anxiety would go through the roof. I’m constantly paranoid and checking the windows and doors are locked. I check the windows to see if anyone is outside.”
Cardiff Crown Court sentenced Griffiths to 12 months, with half to be served in custody.
Griffiths, a prominent figure in prison reform, admitted to posting the video and to making false claims about a staff member at HMP Parc, a private prison in Bridgend, where he was previously incarcerated.
The court also issued a restraining order prohibiting Griffiths from contacting or referencing the worker, who endured significant distress due to Griffiths’ posts.
Griffiths, who served time from 2016 to 2020 and again until 2023 on charges including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, became an advocate for prison reform following his release.
He founded the HMP Prisons Justice Group UK, which operates primarily through a Facebook group with over 6,000 members.
Many members are families of inmates or of individuals who died in custody, and the group campaigns for reform and raises awareness of prison conditions, focusing especially on HMP Parc.
Seventeen inmates are known to have died at Parc so far this year – more than at any other prison.
The security company G4S, which runs HMP Parc, confirmed this number. It is understood eight deaths were of natural causes.
Three prisoners were also taken to hospital following disorder at the prison in June.
Griffiths’ posts falsely accused the prison support worker and her family of drug-related activities.
According to prosecutor Pamela Kaiga, the victim experienced severe anxiety, taking nine weeks off work—her first sick leave in nine-and-a-half years with G4S, the private firm managing Parc Prison.
She reported fearing for her safety and that of her daughter, and her family faced harassment in public due to Griffiths’ claims.
Throughout his advocacy, Griffiths has been vocal about what he describes as “toxic” conditions within HMP Parc, alleging issues with drug access, corruption, and inadequate rehabilitation.
He has specifically pointed to rising availability of harmful substances like fentanyl, claiming that prison authorities fail to address these issues effectively. Griffiths argues for a shift toward rehabilitation-focused incarceration, which he claims is crucial for preparing inmates to reenter society.
Representing himself in court, Griffiths claimed he posted the video to expose troubling conditions within the prison, asserting that his actions were in the public interest.
However, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke rejected his defense, stating, “You are not making a speech for your campaign.” She further criticized Griffiths’ actions as “intentional” and “deliberate,” asserting that his decision to spread unverified claims was designed to advance his cause rather than serve the truth.
While Griffiths’ group has garnered support from families affected by prison-related issues, his approach has sparked debate. His unverified claims about prison staff and contentious public statements, including disputes with officials like Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt, have led to criticism from prison authorities who dispute his assertions. Griffiths acknowledges crossing a line, yet views the publicity his group achieved as a positive outcome.
Last month, Prisons Minister James Timpson announced an investigation into alleged corruption within HMP Parc. The judge highlighted that Griffiths’ actions may have indirectly influenced scrutiny of the prison, but questioned whether his methods justified the harm caused to individuals affected by his claims.
As Griffiths left the dock, he waved to friends and supporters in the public gallery.
While his actions have drawn attention to the need for prison reform, they also illustrate the risks and responsibilities that come with high-stakes activism.
News
Police seek witnesses to Llanelli incident involving black car
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an incident that took place at around 10:30pm on Tuesday night (Nov 5) in Llanelli.
A report indicates that a teenage boy, who was walking along Emma Street into Dilwyn Street, was followed by a black car. The teenager, wearing a bright orange coat, was allegedly shouted at by the driver of the car, who then swerved towards him. Fortunately, the teenager was able to run away and returned home unharmed.
Police are urging anyone with information that could assist their investigation to contact Dyfed-Powys Police. Reports can be made online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, via email at [email protected], or by calling 101. Deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired individuals can text the non-emergency number at 07811 311 908.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
Please quote reference 464 of Nov 5.
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