Crime

Prison officer smuggled drugs in juice cartons

Published

1 year ago

August 11, 2024

A PRISON officer has been sentenced to six years in prison after being caught attempting to smuggle drugs and mobile phones into HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales. The court heard that the officer had been offered thousands of pounds to carry out the illegal activity.

The prison houses many inmates from Pembrokeshire and the West Wales area.

The case was presented at Merthyr Crown Court, where it was revealed that Jodie Beer, a 30-year-old former prison officer, was apprehended by police with a significant stash of drugs and mobile phones concealed within orange juice cartons. The arrest took place in February 2022, when Beer was stopped by police outside the prison during a break.

During a search of Beer’s vehicle, officers discovered a zip-lock bag containing light brown powder, tubes of white tablets, and a plastic carrier bag holding large cartons labelled as orange juice. Beer initially claimed that the items had been placed in her car by someone else. However, upon closer inspection, the cartons were found to contain controlled drugs, mobile phones, and SIM cards.

In total, the police recovered nearly 22 grams of cocaine, over 628 grams of cannabis, and dozens of buprenorphine tablets, a strong painkiller. A subsequent search of Beer’s partner’s home led to the discovery of £4,000 in cash.

During her police interview, Beer admitted that she had been approached by a prisoner who offered her £5,000 to smuggle the contraband into the prison. She confessed to collecting the packages, including the pre-packed orange juice cartons, from an unknown individual at a layby.

Beer, of Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taff, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of possession of Class A, B, and C drugs with intent to supply, as well as to an offence of misconduct in public office. She was sentenced to six years in prison for her crimes.

The case highlights the serious consequences of corruption within the prison system and the severe penalties for those who breach their duties for personal gain.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

3 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.