Crime

Driver ‘close to losing freedom’ after being three times over drink-drink limit

Published

2 years ago

March 5, 2024

A COURT has heard how a Puma Energy supervisor drove through Milford Haven town centre despite being over three times the legal drink-drive limit.

CCTV footage played to Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday morning showed Mark Moon, 45, drive through Hamilton Terrace soon after 12.30am on February 9.

He was then seen turning right into Charles Street, driving his BMW 220D the wrong way through a one-way street before hitting a concrete bollard.

“Police received a call at 12.35am from a person who had heard a loud bang,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“A concrete bollard had been smashed.

“CCTV footage showed a white vehicle being driven by the defendant, swerving across the road with substantial damage to its front. It was driving on the wrong side of the road and at one point was seen driving with its lights off.”

When officers approached the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by Mark Moon. An unidentified passenger was seated in the front seat.

“There was a strong smell of alcohol and both occupants were under the influence, both being very confused and unsteady, ” continued Ms Jackson.

“The defendant got out and stumbled into a police officer.”

Moon was conveyed to a police custody suite where he gave breath tests, the lowest reading being 112mcg. The legal limit is 35.

“This is a very high alcohol reading which clearly crosses the custody threshold,” said probation officer Julie Norman.

“The CCTV footage shows the defendant driving a considerable distance, and driving the wrong way up a one-way street on two occasions.”

Ms Norman went on to say that the defendant was employed at the Puma Energy plant, near Milford Haven.
At the time of the offence, Moon was the subject of a two-year community order following a conviction for battery.

“On June 7, 2023, the defendant assaulted his previous partner after arriving home from work,” continued Ms Jackson.

“He punched her four or five times to the back of her head and caused bruising to her knee. The incident caused severe pain [to the victim] whilst it was happening.”

Moon, who gave the court his home address as Furnace Road, Pontygwaith, Mid Glamorgan, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was legally represented by Mr Tom Lloyd.

“My client understands how serious this is,” he said.

“He was brought up in care and has been in and out of trouble since he was 16. It’s been an extremely rocky road for him, but he hasn’t been in custody for the past 15 years.

“And this has been significant progress for him, and five years ago he was promoted to his current role of supervisor with the company.”

Moon was sentenced to 20 weeks in custody suspended for two years. He was disqualified from driving for 30 months.

He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

“I’m sure you realise how close you’ve come today to losing your freedom,” commented presiding magistrates Mary Smith when imposing sentence.

“You’re going to have to work extremely hard to earn our trust again.”

Following the publication of this article on 05.03.2024, a representative from Puma Energy called the Pembrokeshire Herald to say that Moon does not work for them, and that they were concerned about what was said in court.

Crime

Police standoff ends after four-hour incident in Pembroke Dock

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ELIZABETH COURT SCENE STOOD DOWN AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A FOUR-HOUR police standoff in Pembroke Dock has ended with a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident at Elizabeth Court has now been stood down and the scene released.

The man has been taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “I want to thank local residents for their patience while we dealt with this incident. I understand that such a large police presence in a residential street is concerning to see, and I’m grateful to everyone who co-operated with our officers at the scene.

“I’d like to offer my reassurance that our units responded to an isolated domestic incident, and there was no further threat posed to the wider community. The scene has now been released, and we will investigate the full circumstances of this morning’s incident.”

Officers were called to the address this morning (Saturday, May 9), with a large police presence remaining in the area for several hours.

Eyewitnesses told The Herald that police were asking a man upstairs to come down, with tasers drawn during the incident.

Police dogs, specialist officers and what appeared to be a negotiator were also seen at the scene.

The incident lasted from around 11:00am until about 3:10pm.

Crime

Teen denies attempted murder of Milford Haven teacher

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TEENAGER REMANDED AHEAD OF JULY TRIAL

A 15-YEAR-old boy has denied attempting to murder a teacher during a stabbing incident at Milford Haven School.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 8).

He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding with a knife.

The charges relate to an incident at Milford Haven School on Thursday, February 5, when emergency services were called after reports that a teacher had been assaulted by a pupil carrying a weapon.

The school was placed into lockdown and pupils were later safely evacuated.

The injured teacher was taken to hospital with stab wounds, but was discharged later the same day.

Police said at the time that specialist officers were supporting the victim and the wider school community.

The teenager was remanded in custody following Friday’s hearing.

A trial is due to begin on July 6.

Crime

Racial abuse suspect barricaded himself inside Johnston lodge

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ARMED police were called to a supported accommodation building in Johnston after a man allegedly barricaded himself inside a room while behaving aggressively and racially abusing staff.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were called to Silverdale Lodge at around 8:55am on Saturday (May 2) following reports of disorder involving a resident.

According to police, the man allegedly acted aggressively towards staff members and made racially abusive comments before barricading himself inside a room at the property.

The force said armed officers were deployed to ensure the safety of staff, other occupants and the man himself.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police was called to Silverdale Lodge in Johnston at approximately 8.55am on May 2 following a report of a male behaving in an aggressive manner and being racially abusive towards a member of staff.

“Officers attended the scene and the male had barricaded himself in a room.

“In order to ensure the safety of the male, staff members and other occupants of the building, armed officers attended the scene.

“The man was detained and arrested. There were no injuries to members of staff or officers reported. There is currently no ongoing threat to the public.”

Police confirmed Billy Pitman, aged 29, has been charged with racially aggravated public order offences, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Pitman was remanded into custody and appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Monday (May 4).

We will bring you the court result as we receive it.