Crime

Driver with spinal condition fined for refusing blood test

Published

10 months ago

April 2, 2025

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who lives in constant pain due to a serious spinal condition has been ordered to pay over £1,000 after being found guilty of refusing to provide a blood sample for analysis.

Ryan Ratcliffe, 41, was stopped by police on December 12 and gave a positive roadside drugs test. He was taken to Haverfordwest police station, where officers requested a blood sample for further analysis.

“But he refused, saying he was afraid of needles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “No medical evidence has been given to the court to prove that this was correct.”

Ratcliffe, of Bro Waldo, Clunderwen, had denied the charge of failing to provide a specimen for analysis but was found guilty following a trial on March 17. He returned to court this week for sentencing.

Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher told magistrates that Ratcliffe suffers from spinal stenosis—a degenerative condition that causes the narrowing of the spinal canal.

“He has the condition in his neck, middle back and at the base of his spine,” said Mr Kelleher. “It is untreatable and will affect him for the rest of his life.”

The court heard that Ratcliffe’s home has been specially adapted to his disability and that he relies on a carer for day-to-day assistance.

“The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that he lives in a rural area with limited public transport,” added Mr Kelleher. “Having access to a vehicle was his only way of getting to his local shop. But now that’s going to be lost.”

Ratcliffe was disqualified from driving for 24 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £650 in court costs along with a £120 victim surcharge.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.

Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.

Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.

Crime

Milford Haven man given extra unpaid work after breaching court order

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates add hours after missed appointments

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.

Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.

Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.

Crime

Dorset man stopped at Fishguard ferry given domestic violence order

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates told of 13 prior incidents as protection order imposed

A DORSET man was stopped by police at Fishguard Harbour while attempting to travel to Ireland and has now been made subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

Nathaniel Cruickshank, aged 22, of Gillingham, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

The court heard he had travelled to Pembrokeshire on January 30 and was intercepted at the ferry port while planning to board a sailing to Ireland with his partner, prompting police intervention.

Magistrates were told Cruickshank has a lengthy history of domestic violence and abusive behaviour, with officers having attended 13 separate incidents involving him.

Prosecutors outlined a number of previous allegations, including an incident in which he punched his mother in the face and another where he smashed a family television with a guitar after being refused money.

The court also heard that on January 29 a protected person attended their GP surgery expressing fear of him, triggering safeguarding measures.

Police subsequently served a Domestic Violence Protection Notice, and Cruickshank was later arrested at Fishguard.

Magistrates granted a 28-day Domestic Violence Protection Order preventing him from threatening or using violence, making any direct or indirect contact with the protected person, or returning to her address.

Issuing a warning in court, magistrates told him any breach would have serious consequences.