Crime

Pembrokeshire postman admits driving after taking cocaine

Published

2 years ago

June 11, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE postman has been ordered off the roads after admitting driving on a main county A-road after taking cocaine.

Benjamin Rixon was pulled over by officers soon after 3pm on Christmas Eve as he drove his Volkswagen Caddy along the A478 between Penblewin and Clynderwen.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that the night before, he decided to take cocaine.

“This was a dreadful mistake,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.

“He was working as a postman, he’d been working flat out over Christmas and on December 23 he met a friend who offered him cocaine.”

Mr Kelleher went on to say that when Rixon, 42, woke up the following morning, he felt ‘absolutely fine’.

“He didn’t think there was anything in his system as he had no knowledge of drugs. He’d never taken them before, nor since.”

Rixon, who gave his address as The Flat, Llandissilio stores, Llandissilio provided a roadside drugs swipe which proved positive. Further blood tests carried out at a police custody suite showed he had 380 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system, which is a derivative of cocaine. The prescribed legal threshold limit is 50.

Rixon pleaded guilty to driving over the drug-drive limit.

“As a result of the offence, he will now lose his job,” said Mr Kelleher. “A requirement of the Royal Mail is that employees hold a driving licence.

“This was a terrible mistake that will live with him for an awfully long time.”

Rixon was disqualified from driving for a total of 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Man in critical condition after serious assault in New Quay

Published

15 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 20-YEAR-OLD man remains in a critical condition in hospital after being seriously assaulted in New Quay.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened at around 12:51am on Saturday (July 4) in Margaret Street, leading to Uplands Square.

The victim suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and remains in police custody.

Police said enquiries are progressing, led by CID and the Major Crime Team. A visible police presence is expected to remain in the area over the coming days.

Officers are appealing for witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Quote reference: DP-20260704-028.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth

Published

2 days ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.

Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.

The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over alleged Cardigan cocaine and cannabis supply

Published

2 days ago

July 3, 2026

Court Reporter

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to Crown Court to face a series of alleged drug supply offences in Cardigan.

Harrison Casey, of Harebell Way, Brownsover, Rugby, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jul 2).

He faces six charges relating to alleged offences at Bridge Street, Cardigan, between April 7 and April 24, 2023.

The charges include being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a Class B drug.

Casey is also accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to supply, being concerned in an offer to supply THC edibles, and possessing flualpazolam, a Class C drug.

There were no pleas to the charges at this stage.

Magistrates sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Casey was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.