Robert Seymour was three times the legal limit after police received reports of a car swerving near Pembrokeshire coastal village

A FORMER serviceman has been banned from the road after being caught driving a BMW Z4 while three times over the drink-drive limit.

Robert Seymour, 56, was seen driving between Portfield Gate and Nolton Haven at around 9.15pm on June 13 after police were alerted by a member of the public concerned about his driving.

“The Z4 had been seen swerving all over the road,” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Officers found the car around ten minutes later, reversing slowly out of a caravan park before moving forward.

Ms Vaughan said Seymour had removed the keys from the ignition when officers approached.

“He was very intoxicated and was slurring his words,” she said.

“There was also a very strong smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.”

Seymour, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.

At the police station, he gave a lowest breath reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Seymour pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher said Seymour had served in the military for nearly 30 years and was now employed as a public servant with the Department for Work and Pensions.

“His full-time work takes him to various centres all over Dyfed,” he said.

“This is going to have a huge effect on his life, however his employers have said that he is going to retain his job.”

Magistrates fined Seymour £750 and ordered him to pay a £300 surcharge and £85 costs, making a total of £1,135.

He was disqualified from driving for two years.

Michael Carruthers was described as “shaking and shivering” at Parc Prison before court appearance was adjourned

CONCERN was raised for a Pembroke Dock prisoner after he was unable to appear before magistrates by video link from Parc Prison.

Michael Carruthers, 34, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning charged with assaulting a police officer by beating.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on April 24.

But prison staff told the court Carruthers was not in a fit state to appear by live link from the Bridgend prison.

“After being taken out from his cell, he sat shaking and shivering on the floor and was holding his head in his hands,” a prison officer told the court.

“His head isn’t really in it.”

When asked whether Carruthers had been seen by a prison medic, prison staff confirmed he had not.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Carruthers’ behaviour was consistent with his medical history.

“He’s appeared before this court many times before, but he’s severely autistic and has PTSD,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He has severe issues. When the prison officers described the way in which he is today, it’s clear that today came as a particular shock to him, as the first he learned of today’s court appearance was this morning.”

Mr Lloyd asked for the case to be adjourned so he could speak to Carruthers and prepare him for his next appearance.

Magistrates agreed, and the case was adjourned until July 14.

The court’s legal adviser stressed the importance of Carruthers attending the next hearing.

“People can’t hide by being in prison,” she said.

“If he’s deliberately refusing to come to court, then he must be physically brought here by the prison staff.”

Darren Claypole spared immediate jail after victim said he thought he was going to die

A MAN with cerebral palsy told a court he thought he was going to die after he was intentionally strangled by a 52-year-old man he had allowed to stay at his home.

Reece Moulder said he remains “genuinely scared” of Darren Claypole following the attack, which left him temporarily unable to breathe.

In a victim personal statement read to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Mr Moulder described his fear during the incident.

“I’m genuinely scared of him,” he said.

“I know that when he was previously in prison he tied up a cellmate, so what he did to me terrified me.

“I was very concerned about what he’s capable of doing and I genuinely thought I was going to die.”

The court heard that Claypole, 52, who is of no fixed abode, had been allowed to stay at the property with Mr Moulder and several other flatmates because he was homeless.

But on March 2, after Claypole returned to the address, an argument broke out over food.

Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan said Claypole became aggressive towards those inside the property.

“The defendant got aggressive and began screaming and shouting at them, and called Mr Moulder a rat,” she said.

“He then put his hands aggressively around Mr Moulder’s throat, placing his thumbs on his airways so hard he was unable to breathe.

“The victim was very concerned about what the defendant was capable of doing and thought he was going to die.”

The Crown added that Mr Moulder suffers from cerebral palsy.

Following his arrest, Claypole directed further aggression towards police officers, calling them offensive names.

“When he was put in custody he kicked and head-butted the door of the holding cell and threatened the officer, saying he was going to bite his nose off,” said Ms Vaughan.

“He then started kicking his legs out at the desk and began screaming and spitting at one of the officers, with the spit landing on the top of his head and in his hair.”

Claypole admitted intentionally strangling Reece Moulder, assaulting an officer in the execution of his duty, and assaulting another individual by beating.

Defending, solicitor Molly Turner said Claypole was remorseful for his actions and had been struggling with homelessness.

“He’s moved around considerably, largely for his own safety, and following his last prison release he’s been doing exceptionally well,” she said.

“He’s currently living in a tent but is considered a gold band priority to be re-housed, and is hopeful he’ll have a place before the autumn.”

Ms Turner said Claypole was willing to engage with the probation service and any other support agencies available to him.

After considering a detailed probation report, magistrates sentenced Claypole to nine months in custody, suspended for two years.

He must also complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Claypole was ordered to pay a total of £1,622 in compensation to his three victims and court costs.