Crime

Van driver ignored warnings before causing head-on crash

Published

9 months ago

April 25, 2025

PETER GILMORE, a van driver who ignored police warnings about his dangerous driving, went on to cause a serious head-on collision.

Gilmore, aged 51, of Bryn Salem, Felinfach, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following the crash, which took place on the B4337 near Talsarn on February 1.

The court heard that Dyfed-Powys Police had received multiple reports about Gilmore’s erratic driving earlier that day. Concerned motorists reported that he was swerving across the road and tailgating other vehicles during a 14-mile journey from Aberystwyth to Llanrhystud and onto the B4337.

At one point, as Gilmore attempted to overtake a lorry, he veered into the path of an oncoming car. The driver of that vehicle was rushed to hospital with a fractured sternum, two broken ribs, and whiplash injuries.

Judge Geraint Walters described the case as “truly disturbing” during sentencing.

“Earlier that day, you were pulled over by the police on suspicion of drug-driving,” the judge said. “Despite that, you made the reckless decision to get back behind the wheel. It was obvious you were significantly impaired by substances.”

Gilmore was jailed for two years and four months and banned from driving for six years and two months. He must also complete an extended re-test before being allowed back on the road.

The court heard that around 5:00pm, officers received several urgent calls from the public about Gilmore’s driving. Witnesses said he almost collided head-on with another car, narrowly missed a bus, and was seen weaving dangerously across the road.

The crash occurred when Gilmore attempted to overtake a lorry and drove straight into the path of a Hyundai, leaving the other driver with serious injuries and no chance to avoid the collision. She was treated at Bronglais Hospital.

When police arrived, they noted Gilmore was slurring his speech and had abnormal pupils. Although he passed a roadside breath test, he tested positive for cannabis. He later refused to provide a sample for further analysis at hospital.

Gilmore admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to provide a sample.

It also emerged in court that he had been pulled over earlier that day in Aberystwyth and arrested on suspicion of drug-driving. In a separate hearing at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court in March, he was banned from driving for three years after admitting that offence.

Defending, Ian Ibrahim said Gilmore fully accepted responsibility for his actions.

Sentencing him, Judge Walters said it was sheer “luck” that nobody was killed, and warned that Gilmore could easily have faced a much more serious charge.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

4 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

5 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.