Crime

Stoned driver was seven times over the drug-drive limit

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2024

A GOODWICK motorist who admitted driving his vehicle when he was seven times over the drug-drive limit has been ordered off the roads by a district judge.

Stephen Oldhoff, 25, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates earlier this week when he admitted driving on the A40 near to the Corner Piece pub, Haverfordwest after consuming Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Blood tests carried out by police officers revealed he had no less than 16 mcg of the drug in his system; the legal limit is 2.

“It was a routine stop check carried out by officers at around 1pm on September 12, 2023,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.

“During the conversation, officers discovered that the defendant had taken cannabis the previous evening.”

But Oldhoff’s solicitor, Fenn Richards, said that his drug intake was a means of dealing with the sudden loss of his father.

“His father passed away suddenly in August, and this has had a devastating impact on him,” she said.

“My client lost his job as a result of his grief, and this led to him taking cannabis.

“He’s now going to start a new job where he will be regularly drug tested and will spend a great deal of time out at sea.”

Oldhoff, of Plas y Gamil Road, Goodwick, Fishguard, was disqualified from driving for three years by District Judge Mark Layton. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

“I understand there are difficult circumstances that led to this offence,” commented Judge Layton when imposing sentence.

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

9 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

9 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.