Crime

Neyland motorist caught driving Mercedes four times over the limit

Published

9 months ago

March 12, 2024

A NEYLAND man has escaped a custodial sentence after driving his Mercedes through the town when he was almost four times over the legal drink-limit.

Police officers followed Wayne Morris as he drove his Mercedes CLA from the Crossways Service Station in Honeyborough to his home in Water Street, Neyland on the afternoon of February 24.

“His vehicle was swerving erratically, it was braking erratically, it hit a kerb and on a number of occasions it came very close to causing an accident,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates when Morris appeared before them on Tuesday.

Subsequent intoximeter tests showed that Morris, 51, had no less than 134 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court that the offence was committed after Morris learned that a close family member had received a cancer diagnosis.was told.

“He consumed a considerable amount of alcohol after receiving the bad news, and drank into the early hours,” she said.

“At around 4.30pm the following day, he thought he was ok to drive, so he drove from his home in Neyland to the service station. But when he got there,he had second thoughts and decided to drive home.”

But police officers who had been present at the service station, decided to follow Morris as he drove his vehicle home.

“He knows he faces a serious situation today, as this high reading could attract a custodial sentence,” added Julie Norman.

Morris pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving and was legally represented by barrister Mr David Griffiths.

“When my client received the bad news about a relative who had been diagnosed with cancer, he went on a binge all night and through into the early hours, even though he’d been off the drink for some time prior,” said Mr Griffiths.

“When he woke up the following afternoon and decided to drive, he made a ridiculous mistake.”
Mr Griffiths went on to inform magistrates that Morris was involved in a serious road accident in 2019 which resulted in the amputation of his hand. As a result, he is in constant pain and has severe anxiety issues, which often leads to his dependence on alcohol.

“He recognises he has an issue with alcohol and has now taken steps to have counselling in that regard,” he said.

“My client needs help as a result of the accident and the PTSD which this has caused him, and I ask this court to give him that support that he so greatly needs.”

After considering the mitigation, magistrates sentenced Morris to eight weeks in custody suspended for 18 months. He was disqualified from driving for 32 months.

He must also carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

24 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: