Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Crime

Teenager disqualified from driving after taking cannabis

Published

on

A 19-YEAR-OLD motorist has been ordered off the roads after being caught driving after consuming cannabis.

Police officers stopped Robbie Ralph at around 6.15pm on November 15 as he drove his black Volkswagen Polo on the A40 between Slebech and Canaston Bridge.

“Officers stopped the vehicle because its rear number plate was unclear as a result of dirt,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When officers spoke to the defendant, they noticed a strong smell of cannabis emanating from inside the vehicle. A roadside drugs wipe proved positive and Ralph was conveyed to a police custody suite where further blood tests to be carried out. These gave a Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol reading of 4.6; the legal limit is 2.

Ralph, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of drug-driving. He was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher who informed magistrates his client had consumed the drug the previous evening.

“This was a dreadful mistake for him, however it’s not recognised by many people that when you take drugs, they hang around in your system for a lot longer than you’d expect,” he said.

“This has been a complete disaster and the future for my client looks very bleak.”

Ralph, of Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest, was disqualified from driving for a total of 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.

 

Crime

Train disruption after youths seen playing on tracks at Haverfordwest station

Published

on

Police attend after dangerous incident involving football on railway line

TRAINS were delayed at Haverfordwest railway station on Tuesday (Apr 1) after a group of youths were seen playing with a football near live tracks, prompting a police response.

Footage captured by a bystander shows several young people on the platform throwing and kicking a ball across the station. In one clip, a youth is seen kicking a football from Platform 2 towards Platform 1, but the ball overshoots and lands beyond a fence into the station car park.

More concerning footage shows the ball rolling onto the railway line, with one youth climbing down onto the tracks to retrieve it—an act that poses serious risk of injury or death due to live rails and the potential for oncoming trains.

The incident caused disruption to services, with two trains delayed by 25 minutes while the situation was dealt with.

Police attended the scene, although it is not yet clear whether any arrests were made. Officers have been approached for comment.

Railway safety rules strictly prohibit access to the tracks except by authorised personnel, and incidents such as this are treated seriously due to the potentially fatal consequences.

The Herald understands that such behaviour can also lead to significant disruption across the rail network, affecting passengers and services well beyond the immediate area.

Anyone with further information about the incident is urged to contact police.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Driver given interim ban after A478 crash

Published

on

Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending sentence.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Dock motorist avoids jail after drug-drive crash

Published

on

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked BMW.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that on September 27, 2025, Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home and drove off without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall.

“The wall collapsed as a result of the impact, causing damage to a parked BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW said the vehicle suffered bodywork damage and scratching following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system, more than five times the legal limit of 50.

The court heard that although Brundrett’s mother confirmed the car was hers, she did not wish to criminalise her son.

Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.

Defending, Alaw Harries said: “He accepts his behaviour was foolish and irresponsible and wishes to apologise to the court for what took place.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties. This was the first and last time he has taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. While that is not an excuse, it provides context. He is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

 

Continue Reading

News8 hours ago

Health minister refuses to act on Withybush despite 15,000-signature petition

Senedd pressure grows as Welsh Government declines to intervene over surgery fears THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has refused to step in...

Business23 hours ago

Fishguard to Wexford rail tunnel plan backed by Elon Musk firm

Six-hour London to Dublin service proposed in £32bn project ahead of Senedd election PLANS for a rail tunnel linking west...

Charity1 day ago

Milford Haven charity honoured with King’s Award for voluntary service

A PEMBROKESHIRE charity supporting vulnerable young people has received one of the highest honours in the UK for voluntary work....

News2 days ago

Plaid Cymru launches bid to lead next Welsh Government

Party positions itself as ‘government-in-waiting’ ahead of May election PLAID CYMRU has formally launched its campaign for the 2026 Senedd...

Crime2 days ago

Police appeal after attempted child abduction in Haverfordwest

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has launched an appeal for witnesses following a reported attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl in Haverfordwest. The...

Crime3 days ago

Gunshot fired by police during incident in Milford Haven

A POLICE officer discharged a firearm during an incident in Milford Haven on Saturday evening (March 28), prompting an investigation...

Community4 days ago

Three Amigos Easter Run roars through Pembrokeshire

MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts turned out in force today (Saturday, March 28) as the popular Three Amigos Easter Run returned to the...

Education6 days ago

Ysgol Henry Tudor reassures parents over Sikh ceremonial kirpan

School says religious item worn by pupil is secured, symbolic and non-functional YSGOL HENRY TUDOR has moved to reassure parents...

Crime6 days ago

Teen jailed after starting fire while others slept

Fire set in shared home left sleeping residents at risk and caused £130,000 damage A TEENAGER who started a fire...

Health7 days ago

GP crisis driving NHS pressure in Wales, Senedd report warns

Falling GP numbers and funding gaps blamed for worsening hospital delays THE NHS crisis highlighted earlier this week is being...

Popular This Week