A LORRY driver who made the “life-changing” decision to drive away from a domestic dispute while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the road.

John Roberts, 51, was stopped by police on Pembroke Road, Haverfordwest, on the evening of August 24 after officers spotted his Audi A3 being driven erratically. A roadside breath test proved positive, and a further test at the police station showed he had 94 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Roberts, of Fountain Row, Haverfordwest, had been visiting Pembrokeshire with his partner. At the time of the offence, he was living in Barry and working as a lorry driver.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court: “As a result of a domestic incident at the property, the defendant made the decision to leave in the Audi. Shortly afterwards, he was stopped and breathalysed.”

The court heard that Roberts had voluntarily surrendered his driving licence to the DVLA following his arrest.

Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton that this was Roberts’ third conviction for drink-driving, with previous offences in 2000 and 2007.

“This shows you have a disregard for other road users,” Judge Layton told Roberts.

Roberts was disqualified from driving for 28 months and handed a 12-month community order. As part of the order, he must complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

A PEMBROKE DOCK man with a troubled upbringing has been sentenced after assaulting his former partner during a violent outburst.

Sam Wilkins, 42, of Bethel Road, turned aggressive on November 7 after the woman told him she was going to visit her parents.

“He was yelling at her so much, there was spit coming out of his mouth,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Wilkins grabbed the woman by her jacket, lifted her onto a stair and then dropped her onto the step below, causing her to fall backwards.

He then left the property, but was recorded on a doorbell camera outside, berating the victim while speaking to a friend.

“Listening to the language he used to describe me was horrible,” the victim said in a statement read to the court.
“I could hear the nastiness in his voice. This was not the Sam I met seven years ago. The disrespect he has for me is unforgivable. What gives him that right?”

Wilkins pleaded guilty to assault by beating, causing criminal damage to a jacket valued at £60, and breaching bail conditions.

His solicitor, Jess Hill, said Wilkins had experienced a difficult childhood.

“He was in an emotional state at the time and had an unstable upbringing, being introduced to crime at a young age by his father,” she said.
“As a result, he has multiple mental health diagnoses.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, requiring Wilkins to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and undergo psychiatric treatment. He must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, £60 for the damaged jacket, a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

A two-year restraining order was issued, prohibiting Wilkins from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, except through a solicitor, social services or a court-appointed third party. He is also banned from entering any address she occupies or referring to her on social media.

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has accused the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of pursuing a “malicious prosecution” after she was charged with breaching a court-imposed restraining order.

Marie Thomas, aged 39, of Beach Road, Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, was made subject to the order on August 8, 2024. It prohibits her from contacting Lindsey Grover either directly or indirectly, and from making any reference to her on social media or other electronic platforms.

However, the Crown alleges that on November 17, Thomas entered material onto social media which referred directly to Ms Grover, in breach of the order.

This week, Thomas appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court where she denied the offence. She elected for the matter to be tried in the Crown Court and told the judge she would be representing herself.

“There is no better person to shed light on the truth,” she said. “This is an injustice. I’m going to prove this and take on the prosecution for malicious prosecution. I have evidence… and I’m about to shed light on the case.”

Thomas was granted conditional bail ahead of her trial, which is scheduled to begin on May 16. Her bail conditions prohibit her from contacting Lindsey Grover directly or indirectly and from making any reference to her on social media.