Crime

Drug-driver sentenced following three-car pileup on A40

Published

6 months ago

July 3, 2024

A MOTORIST responsible for a three-car Christmas pile-up on the A40 near Penblewin has appeared before magistrates after pleading guilty to drug-driving.

Police received a call on the night of December 19 that three vehicles had collided on the A40 between Penblewin and Whitland.

When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the collision which included a Ford Fiesta that was being driven by Marco Lewis, 31.

“It was obvious to the officers that he was intoxicated as his eyes were extremely glazed and he was unsteady on his feet,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“It was also apparent that he was unable to focus on what was being said to him.”

Lewis admitted to the officers that he had been driving the Fiesta at the time of the collision and had also been carrying a passenger. He claimed the vehicle was relatively new, resulting in him swerving across the road and colliding head-on with on-coming vehicles.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive and Lewis was taken to the police custody suite for blood tests to be carried out for analyses. These confirmed he had been driving with 1,200 mcg of diazepam in his blood. The threshold limit is 550 mcg. A number of other illegal drugs were found in his blood, however these were all below the legal limit.

Lewis, of Victoria Close, Narberth, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving above the specified legal drug limit.

Magistrates requested a probation report prior to sentencing the defendant.

Probation officer Julie Norman informed magistrates that the incident occurred during a particularly difficult time for Lewis, following his sister’s death earlier in the year, aged 24.

“This was a trigger for his drug abuse,” she said. “After the offence, he took matters into his own hands and has received treatment from the drugs team and is now abstinent from all substances. He was discharged from their services in May, so this is a very positive step in the right direction.”

Lewis was placed on a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation requirement days. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: