Crime

Drug experimentation can lead to ‘unforeseen disaster’ warns solicitor

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE solicitor has spoken out at the lack of publicity concerning the length of time that controlled drugs can remain in a person’s system.

Michael Kelleher’s comments were made after a 21-year-old apprentice carpenter was banned from driving for 12 months after consuming cocaine 24 hours before being stopped by on-duty police officers.

“My client is not a drug user, but he was offered some cocaine 24 hours earlier,” Mr Kelleher told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He took it, it remained in his system, but he was unaware that this is what happens. This is something that needs to be highlighted on a far greater basis as drugs can stay in the system for a considerably long time.

“People need to be made aware that experimentations such as this can sometimes have these effects.”

Mr Kelleher was representing Jack Andrew Codd who was stopped by police officers at around 10pm on Sunday, October 29 as he drove his green Citroen van along Freemans Way in Haverfordwest.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson informed magistrates that Codd was spoken to concerning a minor traffic offence, and following their conversation, a roadside drugs swipe was carried out. The swipe proved positive and Codd was taken to a police custody suite for further blood tests. These confirmed he had 290 ug/L of benzoylecgonine in his system, which is a metabolite of cocaine. The specified legal limit is 50.

“My client is full of remorse for what has happened, but this has been a complete and utter disaster for him, and one that he didn’t foresee,” continued Michael Kelleher.

“He is an apprentice carpenter, due to finish his apprenticeship in June, but without a licence, he’s now going to lose his job. His future is now very uncertain.”

In addition to the 12-month disqualification, Codd, of Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

***Pembrokeshire solicitor: Michael Kelleher***

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.