Crime
Haverfordwest drug dealer sentenced after cannabis, coke and MDMA found
A 23-YEAR-OLD drug dealer has been sentenced to a total of two and a half years in prison after police discovered a large quantity of drugs and cash at his mother’s house.
Owen Maddocks, of Hywel Road in Haverfordwest, was arrested after police attended his mother’s address on 15 June last year to speak with him about an unrelated matter. During their visit, officers found £4,905 in cash and a substantial amount of drugs in Maddocks’ room, prosecutor Ieuan Rees told Swansea Crown Court.
The police discovered 1.284kg of cannabis, around 147 MDMA tablets, and approximately 18 grams of cocaine. Maddocks was arrested and provided a prepared statement in the interview before being released on bail pending further investigations.
On 5 April, Maddocks was stopped by police while a passenger in a car. He admitted to having cannabis on him and further quantities at his flat and his mother’s house. Officers subsequently recovered an additional 72 grams of cannabis. Maddocks again provided a prepared statement, admitting to selling drugs to known users to pay off a drug debt.
The April offence occurred while Maddocks was on bail for the initial charges. He admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, possession of MDMA, and possessing criminal property relating to the cash found on 15 June. He also admitted a second charge of possessing cannabis with intent to supply on 5 April.
In mitigation, Dean Pulling explained that Maddocks was primarily involved in the supply of cannabis, with the cocaine being a minor sideline. He noted that Maddocks felt pressured to commit the April offence to make up for the cash seized by police. Mr Pulling added that Maddocks had been introduced to cannabis at the age of nine but is now drug-free and has found his first experience of custody challenging.
Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Maddocks to two years for the June offences and an additional six months, to run consecutively, for the April offence. An additional month was added for breaching a suspended sentence order.
Judge Richards ordered that the £4,905 seized from Maddocks be utilised by Dyfed-Powys Police in their efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Crime
Bin lorry driver banned after “squishing” man in road rage incident
RHYS GRIFFITHS, a former bin lorry driver, has been banned from driving after injuring a man by colliding with his car door during a road confrontation on St Issels Avenue, Haverfordwest, on 22 February 2023.
Swansea Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Harry Dickens that Griffiths, 32, accelerated towards the victim’s vehicle, stopping bumper-to-bumper. Following a brief verbal exchange, the victim turned back to his car, only to hear Griffiths rev his engine, mount the kerb, and strike the driver-side door, pinning the man against his own car. Though the victim felt pain in his thighs, he did not require medical attention, and only minor damage was reported to the car.
Griffiths left the scene without stopping, and a witness alerted the police. The victim later told officers: “There was no need for this incident at all.”
Griffiths initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, later changing his plea to guilty on the day of his trial. His defence lawyer, Emily Bennett, expressed Griffiths’ “deep shame” over the incident, noting he had been redeployed from his job as a bin lorry driver due to the offence.
Judge Paul Thomas KC described Griffiths’ actions as “incredibly stupid” and sentenced him to 10 months, suspended for 18 months. Griffiths must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days, and pay £1,200 in costs due to the lateness of his plea. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence.
Crime
Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest
HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).
Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.
Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.
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