Crime
20-year-old motorist banned after driving on cocktail of drugs
A 20-YEAR-OLD motorist has been disqualified from driving after being found behind the wheel after consuming cocaine.
James Old was stopped by officers soon after 10.30pm on November 15 as he drove his Renault Kangoo along the A478 through Templeton.
“He was stopped as a result of the manner in which he was driving,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“The defendant was the driver and there was also a passenger occupant.”
A roadside drugs swipe proved positive and Old, of the Old Mart Ground, Narberth, was conveyed to a police custody suite for further blood tests to be carried out. These confirmed he had 52 ug/L of cocaine and 785 cg/L of benzoylecgonine in his system. The prescribed legal limit is 10 and 50 respectively.
Old pleaded guilty to the charge of driving when he was over the legal drug-drive limit.
He was represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.
“At the time, he was having problems in his life and was going down the wrong track,” he said. “The night before he’d taken cocaine, and both drugs were still present in his system when he was stopped by police.”
Magistrates disqualified Old from driving for 12 months. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 surcharge.
Why we cover court cases | In our commitment to transparency and public service, we diligently cover court cases to fulfill our role as a vital link between the judiciary system and the public. This coverage is not just about reporting events; it’s about upholding the principle of open justice, a cornerstone of democracy. By bringing light to the workings of the legal system, we ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done. This transparency helps in building public trust in the judiciary, educates our readers on legal processes, and highlights the societal impacts of the law. Moreover, our court reporting can often provide a voice to those who might otherwise be unheard, reinforcing the importance of accountability and fairness. Through meticulous coverage of court cases, we aim to inform, enlighten, and contribute to a well-informed public, fostering a more just society. |
Crime
Man charged with attempted murder after child found in critical condition
A MAN has been charged after an incident in Cardigan on Wednesday, January 15.
Police were called to an address in Y Ferwig, Cardigan, shortly before 10:15pm following a report of concerns for the welfare of an infant.
A young child was immediately taken to hospital, where they remain in a critical condition.
Rhydian Jamieson, 27, from Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn, has been charged with attempted murder.
Jamieson has been remanded into custody and is set to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday (Jan 20).
Investigators have expressed gratitude for the support of the community while enquiries continue.
Crime
Air ambulance called to Parc Prison as inmate suffers ‘severe medical episode’
THE TROUBLED HMP Parc prison in Bridgend faced yet another incident today (January 18), with an air ambulance called to respond to a medical emergency involving an inmate suffering from psychosis.
According to the HMP Prisons Justice Group UK, the incident unfolded during a visitation session when the inmate, reportedly diagnosed with psychosis, experienced a severe panic attack that left him struggling to breathe. Despite prior warnings from medical professionals about his condition, it is alleged that neither G4S, the private firm managing Parc, nor Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, acted to ensure the prisoner received the treatment he urgently needed.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and distressing, with children and visitors visibly upset. Reports suggest healthcare staff on-site intervened by administering a “salt shot” to alleviate the inmate’s breathing difficulties, but the situation escalated, leading to the inmate collapsing and requiring emergency evacuation to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for further assessment.
The inmate’s history reveals a troubling pattern of neglect. After a psychiatric assessment on December 13, 2024, he was diagnosed with psychosis and deemed unfit to plead during a court hearing on December 20. The court ordered his transfer to a mental health facility for treatment and anti-psychotic medication. However, as of today, the transfer had not been carried out, leaving the individual untreated for over three months while on remand.
The HMP Prisons Justice Group claims that G4S initially attempted to attribute today’s episode to drug use, a claim that has since been refuted. “When the salt shot was administered, his breathing improved, which wouldn’t have happened if it was drug-related,” the group stated. They accused G4S of using this defense to divert attention from what they describe as systemic neglect.
Campaigners are now calling for urgent reforms to prevent further incidents at Parc Prison. The facility has been plagued by controversy, with ongoing allegations of corruption, inadequate healthcare, and rising violence. Last year alone, assaults on staff increased by 109%, and the prison recorded 17 deaths within 11 months.
The inmate involved in today’s incident is reportedly undergoing psychological assessment at the Heath Hospital, with calls for his immediate sectioning to secure the treatment he needs. Critics argue that the prison’s failure to act on prior court orders highlights the ongoing crisis at Parc.
Campaigners insist that the incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reform at the privately-run facility.
This latest incident raises questions about the prison’s capacity to manage vulnerable inmates and provides further evidence of the deteriorating conditions at Parc Prison, which continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The Wales Air Ambulance has confirmed attendance.
Both Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and G4S has been asked to comment.
Crime
Carmarthenshire man sentenced for violent altercation ‘to protect girlfriend’
A VIOLENT altercation in Carmarthenshire has led to serious charges for William Rees, 24, of St Clears, who appeared at Swansea Crown Court facing charges of affray and grievous bodily harm.
The incident occurred on Tuesday (May 7, 2024) in Nott Square, Carmarthen. Rees was accused of assaulting a woman, causing a skull fracture and a small bleed on the brain. According to his statement, the altercation began as a verbal dispute between the woman and his girlfriend. Rees explained: “I was out in Carmarthen with my girlfriend. We had a few drinks but I was aware of what I was doing. We were heading towards a taxi, but a girl started shouting. There was a verbal incident, and then she became aggressive towards my girlfriend. I had no intention to hurt the girl; I was just protecting my girlfriend.”
CCTV footage captured a brief but violent exchange, and Rees admitted his actions at the scene. He told police: “I like to apologise,” before being taken into custody.
Rees expressed shame after reviewing the footage, particularly over his actions during the incident, but maintained that he did not instigate the violence. He took full responsibility, reflecting that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect his partner.
The court heard that alcohol played a significant role in Rees’s behaviour. He acknowledged that his conduct was out of character and shared that he had since made substantial lifestyle changes. His defence barrister, Mr Wright, stated: “He has now stopped drinking. He had one drink at Christmas and has not drunk since then.”
Rees was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. While condemning the violent actions, His Honour Judge Huw Rees recognised the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility and efforts to turn his life around.
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