Crime

Mother admits driving child to school over legal drug limit

Published

13 seconds ago

November 6, 2024

A MOTHER has been fined for driving her toddler to school whilst unfit through drugs.

Haverfordwest magistrates were told this week that teachers at Fenton School, Haverfordwest became concerned at Sophie Boswell’s demeanour when she arrived at the school on April 17.

Police officers were asked to attend the scene, and subsequent blood tests carried out on the 30-year-old mother at the police station revealed she had 1200 mcg of diazepam in her system. The legal limit is 550.

“My client was going through an extremely difficult period in her life,” her solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told the court.

“She suffers historically from an addiction to prescription drugs after the loss of her father, and things got completely out of control.

“But this offence has given her the opportunity to reassess her life and she’s taken significant steps, off her own back, to make sure that nothing like this will happen again, jeopardising her having custody of her child, because that’s the most important thing in the world for her.”

After pleading guilty to driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, Boswell was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

“We’re concerned that this offence took place at a school and that your driving was attracting attention,” commented the presiding magistrates. “This is why we are raising the ban from 12 months to 14.”

Bowell was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 court surcharge.

Crime

Police appeal following garage burglary in Penally

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information following a garage burglary in the School Lane area of Penally, which occurred between 8:00pm and 10:30pm on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Various items were taken, including:

STIHL battery-operated hedge trimmer
STIHL petrol garden strimmer
STIHL petrol chainsaw (24-inch)
STIHL petrol leaf blower
Two beach casting fishing rods with reels

Anyone with information, or who may have been offered these items for sale, is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police. You can reach them online at Dyfed-Powys Police Contact, via email at [email protected], or by calling 101. For those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, please text 07811 311 908.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please quote reference number 24000934044.

Crime

Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock

Published

1 day ago

November 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

November 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.