News
Milford Haven flood victims still having ‘to live in fear of the rain’
PEMBROKESHIRE councillors are to visit the Milford Haven site of works intended to tackle floods which, back in 2018, wreaked havoc, the residents still having “to live in fear of the rain”.
The November 2018 flooding at Lower Priory and Havens Head saw floodwater as high as eight feet, devastating homes and residents’ lives.
Since then, slow progress has been made in developing a Havens Head and Lower Priory flood alleviation scheme.
Local residents have previously told their harrowing experiences of the 2018 flooding, with further updates in the wake of the recent impacts of Storm Ciarán and Storm Henk, heard at the January 16 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s services overview and scrutiny committee.
Sarah Rees, of Havens Head, has previously described the scenes during the November 2018 floods: “The water was crystal clear, like being in a bath; and then suddenly the brown came in.
“Every time it rains the first thing that enters your head is what’s the pond condition?
“It was pitch black, all the electricity had gone out; we had to try and get out of the back, trying to find the steps to get out of the garden.
“I had my daughter with me, she just had time to grab her A-level books and go; we were trying to get out of that house. The force of the water, you can still feel it.
“We had to try and get out of the garden in Havens Head, it was the most terrifying experience of my life.”

For Ian Bannister of Lower Priory and his daughter Natalie, living next door, the 2018 floods were terrifying and caused them a huge financial cost.
Natalie said: “I was doing the washing in the kitchen and I felt: ‘I’ve got to get my baby out’.
“I had to take her to my parents’ home; we were just trying to put everything up here, it was pointless, we were expecting inches, and it went to feet.”
Ian described the scenes as the floodwater rose higher and higher at his daughter’s home: “As a grandad, with all the toys floating and all the Christmas presents, it broke my heart.
“If the baby was sleeping in the cot downstairs, that baby would certainly have drowned.”
Members of the January committee heard further experiences from residents while they scrutinised an update on the flood schemes, the council recently succeeding in its business case to the Welsh Government FCERM (Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management) team.
Following that, investigation to develop a detailed design of a proposed new culvert is underway, with a further Pipeline application to the Welsh Government to bid for funding, to allow for the construction phase to commence.

The two local members Cllr Viv Stoddart of Havens Head, and Cllr Rhys Sinnett of Lower Priory, spoke of the concerns raised by their constituents.
“I would ask officers to do their utmost to get going on this; if you are living in Havens Head and listening to the heavy rain – you can imagine what’s going on in their heads,” said Cllr Stoddart.
Cllr Sinnett added: “Here we are in 2024 with almost glacial progress, I would lay that very much at the door of Welch Government in terms of the delays in assessing and approving the information they requested over a period of time.
“Anything we can do to perhaps ask them to push this as quickly as possible to get to fruition would be really, really positive; and I’m behind that 100 per cent.”
He said Lower Priory had once again suffered in the recent storms, residents – who feel there is a need for a bespoke facility at Lower Priory in addition to the Havens Head works – revisiting the experiences of 2018 “every time it rains”.
Cllr Rhys Jordan said there was a public perception the issue was not seen to be tackled when other priorities seemed to be favoured.
“I know local members will fight this all the way; I think we all agree it’s not okay for people’s properties to be flooded, it’s not okay for people to live in fear of the rain.
“This is far more important than any expansion of the Senedd, or 20mph limits, or any new projects in the county.”
Members agreed -following an amendment proposed by chairman Cllr Mark Carter – to visit the site, in addition to noting the report.
Crime
Dock driver avoids jail after drug-drive crash in mother’s car
BMW damaged after Astra taken without consent in Pembroke Dock incident
A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked vehicle.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home in Pembroke Dock on September 27, 2025, without her consent.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett subsequently collided with a wall, which collapsed and struck a parked BMW.
“The wall fell over as a result of the impact, causing damage to a nearby BMW,” she said.
The owner of the BMW, Damian Gorzach, reported bodywork damage and scratching to his vehicle following the incident.
When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50 micrograms.
The court heard that while Brundrett’s mother confirmed ownership of the Astra, she did not wish to pursue matters against her son.
Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.
Representing him, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client accepted his actions were “foolish and irresponsible” and expressed remorse.
“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties,” she said.
“This was the first and last time he had taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. He does not seek to excuse his behaviour, but he is now in a much better place.”
Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
He must pay £100 in compensation, a £154 surcharge, and £85 in prosecution costs.
Crime
Driver banned after A478 crash and walkaway
Motorist admits string of offences including driving while disqualified and uninsured
A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after walking away from a crash on the A478.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, aged 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving a Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). He then failed to stop at the scene or report the incident to police.
Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report an accident, driving without third party insurance, and driving while disqualified.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence left on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being responsible.”
Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.
Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending the outcome of the case.
Crime
Driver trapped after crash while nearly four times over drink-drive limit
Milford Haven woman cut free from car on busy A4076 as court hears of alcohol dependency struggle
A MILFORD HAVEN motorist had to be cut free from her car after crashing while almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit, a court has heard.
Police were called to the A4076 between Milford Haven and Johnston on the afternoon of Monday (Mar 10) following reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a Mazda. Officers arrived to find Sarah Childe, 43, trapped inside the vehicle, wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas.
“She was trapped in the car and the ambulance and fire service had to cut her out,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
When spoken to by officers, Childe admitted she had consumed alcohol earlier that day. Breathalyser tests later carried out at the police station showed she had 127 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—well above the legal limit of 35.
Childe, who is currently homeless but previously lived in Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the court the offence was aggravated by the timing of the collision.
“The incident occurred at a busy time of day, when many motorists were on the road travelling home from work and school,” she said.
The court heard that Childe is alcohol dependent and believed she may still have had alcohol in her system from the previous day, in addition to wine consumed earlier on the day of the crash.
Defending, Tom Lloyd said his client urgently needed professional support.
“In the long and the short, this is a lady who desperately needs help,” he said. “She recognises she has a serious problem with alcohol and wants to address it. She is drinking far too much and now wishes to confront this head on.”
Magistrates were told Childe has no previous convictions.
She was disqualified from driving for 32 months and handed an 18-month Community Order. As part of the order, she must complete a 12-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
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