News

Pembrokeshire motorist dealt ‘life changing’ sentence

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2024

A 31-YEAR-OLD motorist has been ordered off the roads for three years after refusing to provide a drugs sample following a previous conviction of drug-driving.

Luke Owen was convicted of driving over the legal drugs limit in May, 2022. This week he returned to the courts to face his second drug-drive related offence within a ten year period.

Owen, of Wayside Close, Simpson Cross, was stopped by officers just before 3pm on March 13 as he drove his Vauxhall Corsa through Haverfordwest.

“He was stopped as a result of information the officers had received that he may have been driving on drugs,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “When officers explained why he had been stopped, the defendant was initially dismissive and refused to provide a sample. He was just about to get arrested when he agreed to give a sample that was positive for cannabis.”

Owen was taken to a police custody suite where he was asked to give further blood tests for drugs analysis. But Ms Baker said that upon his arrival, Owen persistently refused too provide the tests.

This week Owen pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

“He didn’t realise how serious it would be, by failing to provide a specimen,” said probation officer Julie Norman.

Meanwhile Owen’s solicitor, Tom Lloyd, said the conviction would have a major impact on his day-to-day life.

“Losing his licence is going to be life-changing,” he said. “His income is going to suffer considerably as he currently has a good employment record with a local cleaning company. But being unable to drive to and from work is going to be very difficult. This is going to be a huge punishment for him.”

Owen was disqualified from driving for three years. He was given a 12-month community order which will include ten rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

48 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

1 hour ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

1 hour ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.