Crime

Fag-butt police court summonses spark debate in Pembrokeshire

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2024

A WAVE of prosecutions for cigarette littering has hit Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, raising questions about enforcement priorities and the use of judicial resources in Pembrokeshire.

On Thursday, July 25, it could get rather crowded in court, as 18 individuals are set to appear before the bench, all charged with depositing litter. The alleged offences, which occurred between 6 and 18 December 2023, involve an accusation of dropping of cigarette butts or rolled cigarettes in various locations across Haverfordwest, Pembroke, and Pembroke Dock.

The defendants, ranging in age from 24 to 70, face charges for discarding cigarette-related litter in public spaces, including supermarket car parks, streets, and even school grounds.

This concentrated effort to prosecute cigarette littering has sparked debate among local residents and legal experts. Critics argue that targeting smokers for what some consider a minor offence may be seen as pursuing “low-hanging fruit” rather than addressing more serious environmental concerns in Pembrokeshire.

Questions remain about the consistency of enforcement and whether other forms of littering are being pursued with equal vigour.

People are taken to court if they ignore paying or wish to challenge a Fixed Penalty Notice.

The FPNs can been issued for any littering, dog fouling and breach of byelaws relating to dogs on beaches.

Pembrokeshire County Council says the aim is to drive behaviour change in the small percentage of people who cause a big impact on the local environment.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said last year: “In an ideal world there would be no need for this type of enforcement.

“However, the number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued already shows that there are still people who will drop litter or fail to pick up after their dog and commit other environmental crimes that continue to blight the environment for everybody else.

“By issuing these Fixed Penalty Notices we are sending the message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

As the cases proceed, the outcomes will likely fuel further discussion on the appropriate balance between enforcement and education in tackling environmental offences. The debate continues on whether this approach represents a judicious use of court time or if alternative measures might better serve both the environment and the community.

Crime

New Year’s Day drug-driver banned after police stop in Milford Haven

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S EVE drive has resulted in a 12-month road ban after a motorist was found to be more than twice the legal cannabis limit.

Ridwan Rahman, 20, was stopped by police as he drove his Vauxhall Astra along Steynton Road, Milford Haven, on January 1.

“Police noted the car accelerating away from traffic lights in an erratic manner,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When officers asked the vehicle to stop, they smelt cannabis coming from inside.”

A blood test later showed Rahman had 5.2mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Rahman, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. He was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who disputed the prosecution’s claim that he had been driving erratically.

“He does not accept that he was driving in an erratic manner, nor that he accelerated away from the traffic lights,” she said.

“The officers told him he had been stopped because the vehicle’s registration plate light was not working.”

Rahman, of Carbon Close, Newport, was fined £323 and ordered to pay a £129 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Crime

Fishguard man jailed after breaching order banning contact with mother

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A FISHGUARD man has been jailed after breaching a restraining order which banned him from contacting his mother.

Steven O’Sullivan attended his mother’s home on June 22, despite the order having been imposed in November 2012. It prohibited him from having any direct or indirect contact with her.

“She felt she needed to phone the police because she was frightened of her son,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He had been dropped off at his mother’s property by a female, and his mother went upstairs to ring the police because he makes her feel vulnerable.”

When officers arrived, they found O’Sullivan inside an outbuilding, crouching beside an outside toilet.

“There have been a number of previous breaches, the most recent being on June 5,” continued Ms Vaughan. “Now we have yet another one on June 22.”

O’Sullivan, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, is currently on remand at Swansea Prison. He is also accused of stealing beer and food worth £45 from the Nisa store in Haverfordwest on June 21.

Representing him in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd said there had been no threats of violence when O’Sullivan went to his mother’s home.

“But the aggravating factor is his previous convictions,” he told the bench.

“He was particularly upset and had nowhere else to go. This was why he went to see his mother.”

Magistrates jailed O’Sullivan for eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on July 7 to enter a plea in relation to the alleged theft offence.

Crime

Pembroke Dock drug-driver banned after being caught over cannabis and cocaine limits

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been banned from the roads for more than three years after being caught drug-driving for the third time.

Adam Crayford, 28, was stopped by police shortly after 10pm on January 9 as he drove his Volkswagen Golf through Pembroke Dock.

Blood tests later showed he had 5.8mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

He was also found to have 117mcg of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine breakdown product, in his blood. The legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that Crayford, of Mayfield House, Victoria Road, Pembroke Dock, had previously been convicted of drug-driving in 2019 and of failing to provide a specimen for analysis in 2022.

Crayford pleaded guilty to both drug-driving offences.

“He is disappointed to be back before the courts again and recognises the seriousness of the matter,” said his solicitor, Alaw Harries.

“This is particularly so in light of his previous convictions.”

After considering a probation report, magistrates sentenced Crayford to an 18-month community order. He must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was disqualified from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.