News

Three of seven boy racers jailed following A40 smash

Published

11 years ago

December 22, 2014

Three of seven boy racers who swarmed up Arnold’s Hill on the A40 at up to 100mph have been jailed this morning (Dec 22).

The other four received suspended sentences and all were banned from driving.

Judge Paul Thomas told them at Swansea crown court their racing had been childish, immature, astonishingly bad and dangerous.

The seven had been in a convoy of up to 40 cars that had met at a Murco garage in Haverfordwest on August 11, 2013, to drive to Swansea.

Stephen Murray, 23, of 50 Lawrenny Street, Neyland and Ieuan Power, 18, of 17 Harbour Close, Milford, began showing off almost immediately by racing round and round a roundabout, said Robin Rouch prosecuting.

As the convoy reached Arnold’s Hill, where the east bound carriageway opened to two lanes, several cars began racing and using the third, oncoming lane, as an additional overtaking lane, effectively turning that stretch of the A40 into a one way street.

Power became blocked in and undertook a car before swerving back into the regular overtaking lane. As the vehicles slowed at the top of the hill Scott Beavis, 21, of 23 Skomer Drive, Milford Haven could not control his braking and swerved into the oncoming lane at 80mph, hitting head on a Seat Ibiza being driven by Andrea Gainfort.

She suffered a punctured lung and was in hospital for 13 days. Her daughter Zoe and her mother Maureen Howells were also injured.

Beavis himself had to be airlifted to Morriston hospital, Swansea.

Today, Beavis was jailed for six months and banned from driving for two years.

Ian Lloyd, 22, of 66 College Park, Neyland, received the same sentence. Judge Thomas said he had set the pace going upArnold’s Hill and others had followed his example.

Jack Murdoch, 18, of 31 Main Road, Waterson, was jailed for 16 weeks and banned from driving for 12 months. He had told a jury “bare faced lies,” said Judge Thomas.

Edward Adams, 19, of Green Cottage, Thornton Road, Steynton, was jailed for 16 weeks, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work for the community

James Adams, 23, also of Green Cottage, Stephen Murray, 23, of 50 Lawrenny Street, Neyland and Ieuan Power, 18, of 17 Harbour Close, Milford, were jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 150 hours of work.

All seven will have to take extended driving tests before getting their licences back and to pay government surcharges.

Judge Thomas said they had driven “like idiots” on what would have been a busy summer Sunday afternoon in Pembrokeshire.

Beavis had caused the accident but it could have been anyone one them as they had all “driven like lunatics, competing to see who could drive the fastest.”

“Cars are not toys for little boys. It is a culture amongst young men of your age in Pembrokeshire to show off, to pose at ridiculous speeds, buzzing and swarming like bees,” added Judge Thomas.

The judge said he noted that even before August 11 Beavis had received five written warnings from police about his driving. James and Edward Adams had each received two notices and Edwards Adams had once been banned for driving at 107mph in a 60mph area. Lloyd, Power and Murdoch had each received one warning.

Lloyd and Murdoch had denied dangerous driving but had been convicted by a jury after a trial. The other five defendants had entered pleas of guilty.

Judge Thomas again raised concern about the evidence given by two witnesses on behalf of Lloyd and Murdoch.

Mr Rouch said, “It will not be overlooked. It is not going to go away as far as they are concerned.”

Racing before the smash: Scott Beavis

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25 Comments

Adam Jenkins

December 22, 2014 at 3:02 pm

The photograph at the bottom of your page of Scott is at pembrey race circuit! Not before the accident at all
Tom K

December 22, 2014 at 3:11 pm

About time the boy racers of Haverfordwest got punished. Maybe now the others will learn not be such idiots, but I won’t hold my breath.

They all got what they deserve.
admin

December 22, 2014 at 3:30 pm

Judging by the state of the car, I doubt it was after the crash
Anon

December 22, 2014 at 4:26 pm

Dangerous driving has been an issue for many years and does not appear to be something that is going away very quickly.

Something has got to change in the way we prevent and deal with these cases, or we risk losing more loved ones in a particularly gruesome and painful way.

I have personally lost 2 of my friends in 2 separate car crashes and my wife has also lost one of her friends in another separate incident. All 3 were teenagers at the time.

As painful as it was for us at the time, It was even worse watching our friends’ families come to terms with their loss. This has left a lasting impression in our memories.

Now I’m no angel myself, I’ve been guilty of enjoying the risk of speeding around the country roads of Pembrokeshire when I was a teenager/in my early 20s.

I don’t think its an age thing, as I often see grown men driving extremely dangerously on their morning commute, but it does seem to mostly be males that are to blame here.

However since I became a father a couple of years ago, I’ve looked at things slightly differently. What if, through no fault of my own, someone crashed into my car and killed one or more of my family?

My wife and/or I could be deprived of seeing our daughter growing up, or our daughter could have to grow up without one or both of her parents. Not to mention the effect on Grandparents, Friends, Aunts, Uncles, and so on.

How could someone possibly put other people and their families at risk for their own self satisfaction and bravado?

One, two, or all three generations of Andrea Gainfort’s family could have been lost in that accident, with their fate decided by an entirely pointless act of selfishness.

I’m not pretending that I have all the answers, there are people far cleverer than me who may have better ideas, but I do believe that dangerous drivers should be made to see the damage they create.

They should also be made to understand the impact it has on their own families, who may have to live with the knowledge that their own child has caused the death of another.

For anybody reading this, I have one request to make before you next get into the driving seat – please, PLEASE THINK:

What if, through driving too fast, me or one of my friends causes the death of my mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister…??

I’ll leave that thought with you.
tomos

December 22, 2014 at 5:20 pm

I think adam was trying to be a pedant but admin corrects him perfectly 🙂

these guys should have had a longer custodial sentences – THAT would keep them off the roads.
ps the “unreliable witnesses” thought themselves SO clever – better pack your bags too, and don’t forget if you’re bending down to pick up the soap – straight backs 😉
Rhys quigley

December 22, 2014 at 5:37 pm

THE PICTURE YOU HAVE USED OF SCOTT IS BEING FALSELY USED You have picked this picture and put a diffrent title to it because this picture is taken on a private track not a public road so this photo has no relevance to the crash. You as a newspaper should be state facts and the truth not miss leading the public with irrelevant imformation and photos
anon

December 22, 2014 at 5:56 pm

Whether the photo is from the racetrack or not, it just shows that he has learnt bugger all from track days, as to how to control his car. it is just a pity it was not one of his own family that he crashed into,
Joe Baldry

December 22, 2014 at 6:40 pm

Beavis and his mates are imbeciles and deserve even harsher sentences. They drove around like idiots, almost causing many other incident…..this accident was just a matter of time.

Longer custodial sentences and much longer driving bans were needed here….for all of them.

So, for the ones who were jailed, have a nice Christmas inside. I just hope you have time to reflect on what you’ve done but somehow I doubt you will. It seems that you’re all still blaming others for YOUR actions. To the rest of you who got off with suspended sentences….stay the hell away from these ‘friends’ of yours, grow the hell up and move on. Next time you will be going to prison and that really will screw up your life, job and aspirations. That said, Beavis had already done that prior to this incident. Idiot.
Anon

December 22, 2014 at 7:03 pm

i rang up the herald earlier and you lot hung up on me because i stated that you titled the photo incorrectly and shoudnt of used this and you saying it was before the crash you lot know nothing because it isnt actually him in the drivers seat of that saxo on the track day shows how much you lot know about this photo and his driving . yes he had an accident but it has nothing to do with him learning or not learning anything on a track day .. And the one who wished it on his parents thats low you cant wish anyone to be hurt in a accident your just sick and i hope you lot read this comment because it states facts and as for the herald your as bad as norris of coronation street with your gossip!!! Get all the facts before writing and using other peoples photos which has nothing to do with him being in an accident!
Rhys quigley

December 22, 2014 at 7:04 pm

ANON you have gone off the subject that I was on because I was just telling everyone that didn’t know the truth that this picture is a misleading picture and has no relevance to this article,what scott done in his spare time and OFF the PUBLIC ROAD is no else’s business apart from his.
How dare you wish it was one of his family this wasn’t planned it was a complete incident
Anon

December 22, 2014 at 7:36 pm

People were nearly killed and all you\’re concerned about is the caption under the bottom photograph? If the photo was indeed taken at a circuit – then it raises the question… if people are able to race their cars on circuits (at their own risk), why do they still insist on racing them on public roads at the risk of innocent people? It might not have been planned, but the collision was entirely his own fault and the fault of the other idiots at the time.
Mike r

December 22, 2014 at 7:55 pm

One things clear is these boys had a lot of friends who are unwilling to see the seriousness of the incident. A slightly different angle, slightly slower reaction time and you\’d be talking fatalities! They should spend their time in prison considering how lucky they are it didn\’t result in anything more serious, and their immature friends arguing how \’people don\’t know anything\’ should use this as an example and sort their driving out! We do know by the way because it\’s been to court and they\’ve been prosecuted for it, don\’t really need any more proof than that.
Arran

December 22, 2014 at 7:55 pm

As regards the photograph the caption is entirely accurate. It is a picture of him racing before the accident. Maybe a couple of months before but still prior to it.
TAM

December 22, 2014 at 11:13 pm

There are some jokers on here now, trying to defend their dullard mates…..there’s no defending them, that\\’s why the best you can pull out of the bag is something to do with a picture caption. Your mates are idiots and deserve longer prison sentences and driving bans, accept that and don\\’t defend their stupidity!
Anon

December 22, 2014 at 11:16 pm

Big lolz arron it wasnt even him driving the car in the photo haha get your facts right taaaaada
Anon

December 23, 2014 at 2:17 am

Have a thought for the victim in seat and then think about their family and what they\’ve been threw, there all a bunch clowns so I don\’t understand how u can stick up 4 all those idiots, what if it was one of your family in that seat???
Anon

December 23, 2014 at 6:08 am

Regardless of what track that pics from. If that was my family he had hit. He’d be I a coffin. Utter pricks should never be allowed to ever go near a car again.
Billy McG.

December 23, 2014 at 9:59 am

You little boys have not yet learned what life is about. I have been in prison myself many years ago for a short stretch for sorting out some mug like this lot in a pub fight.

When you come out of prison you will be a different person. You will realise that all the public bravado of your driving, your boasts on social media, your heavy drinking sessions proving what hard men you are will count for nothing when you come across real hardened criminals in prison who will make you their bitches. You will spend most of your time in the toilets shitting yourselves with nervousness trying to hide from the bad men that will own your asses (literally) once they realise you are just soft punks from a little nothing town in west Wales.

To the others who received suspended sentences, you’ll reign in your activities for sure. You’ll all be shitting yourselves now, getting buses everywhere or scrounging lifts off your other mug, low life mates who think life is all about the speedometer and getting “wrecked” at the weekend. If I was the family of the people who were injured I’d be making sure you paid more than the price of a government surcharge and losing your licence.

Losers.
Willie G

December 23, 2014 at 11:26 am

@ Rhys QuigleyBit more thinking required here. The photos description is 100% accurate. The f***wit is indeed racing and it is before the crash. It just does not say how long before the crash or where. It beggars belief that you are sticking up for this clown when he could easily have killed someone or himself. Would you be so supportive if he put your mother in hospital ????
ian

December 23, 2014 at 6:18 pm

plenty of beavis’s butthead mates here defending the indefensible – I suggest you have a look at facebook where this story is mentioned by news outlets and his mates using their real names – I suggest you have a look, make a note of their names and businesses and avoid them as they don’t sound like ppl decent ppl would want to associate with
Dan

December 24, 2014 at 1:11 pm

I am not trying to stand up for Scott as he and a few others were beyond stupid for what they done I just want to point out that yes the picture of the car was on a race circuit, was before the incident but I think that maybe it could have been worded slightly different as the way it\\\’s worded makes it sound like it was taken on the day of the accident. I have made a complaint to the herald about this but sadly I was confronted by a man who became aggressive over the phone and didn\\\’t let me get my point across, I found this very unproffecional and will be taking the matter further.
IAN

December 24, 2014 at 6:38 pm

I congratulate the Pembrokeshire Herald for standing up to these silly ppl complaining about a picture
Liam Ferris

January 20, 2015 at 12:36 pm

They all should have received life bans and longer sentences. No wonder my car insurance is so damn expensive. It’s because of idiots like these.
Edward Tomp

January 20, 2015 at 12:42 pm

Only six month sentences? Surely they should all have had been jailed and for a whole lot longer than what they got? I almost guarantee that several of these clowns will not have learned their lesson.

Watch this space.
Adam John

January 22, 2015 at 1:30 pm

Scum, the lot of them. Lock them all up and throw away the key. The length of sentences and the ban durations are an absolute joke. These idiots should never be let behind the wheel again.

All their friends and families are all over Facebook trying to defend them. This only shows that they will never hold their hands up, take responsibility and accept what they did wrong.

The sentences are unduly lenient and people need to contact the CPS or Attorney General’s Office to complain.

News

Prince William faces diplomatic tightrope on first Saudi Arabia visit

Published

6 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Energy, trade and human rights concerns collide as UK deploys monarchy’s ‘soft power’

PRINCE WILLIAM will step into one of the most politically sensitive overseas trips of his public life this week as he travels to Saudi Arabia at the request of the UK Government.

Unlike recent royal visits to Estonia, Poland or South Africa, this tour carries significant diplomatic weight, placing the Prince of Wales at the centre of a complex balancing act between strengthening economic ties and confronting a deeply controversial human rights record.

Sources close to the Palace say William “didn’t flinch” when asked to go, viewing such duties as part of his responsibility as heir to the throne.

But Saudi Arabia presents challenges unlike almost anywhere else on the royal calendar.

A country in transition

The visit will focus on energy transition and young people, two areas the kingdom is promoting heavily as it attempts to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

In recent years Saudi Arabia has staged major sporting and cultural events, including Formula One races, international film festivals and high-profile entertainment shows. The country will also host the men’s football World Cup in 2034.

Officials argue this signals modernisation and openness.

Critics say it is “sportswashing” — using global events to distract from repression.

Human rights organisations including Amnesty International continue to raise concerns over restrictions on free speech, criminalisation of same-sex relationships and harsh penalties for dissent.

While reforms have allowed women to drive and increased participation in public life, significant legal and social limits remain.

Meeting a controversial leader

Central to the trip will be talks with Mohammed bin Salman, widely known as MBS, the kingdom’s de facto ruler.

The crown prince is credited with pushing economic reforms but remains internationally divisive.

A US intelligence report concluded he approved the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul — an allegation he denies and Saudi Arabia rejects.

Whether William raises such issues privately is unlikely to be disclosed. Kensington Palace does not comment on confidential conversations.

However, the prince will be briefed extensively by the Foreign Office and the British Embassy before any meetings.

Soft power diplomacy

Government insiders describe William as a key diplomatic asset.

One source said the monarchy acts as a “secret weapon”, able to open doors politicians sometimes cannot.

This form of so-called soft power has long been part of the Royal Family’s overseas role — building relationships first, leaving governments to handle the harder negotiations.

Dr Neil Quilliam of Chatham House says Saudi leaders value high-level recognition from Britain.

“Deploying Prince William sends a signal that the UK takes the relationship seriously,” he said.

Energy cooperation and investment are expected to dominate talks, particularly as Britain seeks new partners during the global shift away from fossil fuels.

Echoes of the past

The visit also reflects longstanding links between the two royal families.

King Charles III has travelled to Saudi Arabia numerous times over the decades and is said to maintain warm relations with senior figures there.

William is now expected to assume a more prominent global role as he prepares for future kingship.

A delicate balancing act

For many observers, images of handshakes between William and MBS will be uncomfortable.

Yet world leaders continue to engage with Riyadh, citing its strategic and economic importance.

The prince’s task is unlikely to involve grand statements. Instead, it will be quiet diplomacy — maintaining dialogue while representing British values.

It is a careful, sometimes uneasy role.

But it is one the monarchy has long performed: building bridges in places where politics alone struggles to tread.

Community

Ice rink campaign launched for Pembrokeshire

Published

7 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Survey underway as resident explores sites and funding for year-round skating facility

PLANS to bring a permanent ice skating rink to Pembrokeshire are gathering momentum after a local resident began talks with council officers and launched a public survey to test demand.

Jemma Davies, from Newgale, says the county is missing out on a major leisure attraction that could benefit families, schools and visitors while creating new jobs.

At present, the nearest full-time rink for Pembrokeshire residents is in Cardiff — a round trip of several hours — making regular skating sessions difficult for many families.

She believes a local facility could change that.

“I think it would give people something completely different to do here,” she said. “It’s exercise, it’s social, and it’s something children could take up after school instead of having to travel out of the county.”

Early talks with council

Jemma has already met officers from Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport and recreation department to discuss whether the idea could be viable.

She is also hoping to approach Sport Wales to explore possible funding streams and support.

To measure interest, she has set up an online questionnaire asking residents whether they would use an ice rink and how far they would be willing to travel.

She said early responses have been positive, with families, young people and skating enthusiasts backing the idea.

Reusing empty buildings

Rather than constructing a new arena, Jemma is investigating whether vacant premises could be converted, reducing costs.

Potential options include a former retail unit in Haverfordwest or a large hangar-style building near existing leisure attractions.

She said: “If we can reuse a building that’s already there, it keeps the costs down and brings life back into empty spaces at the same time.”

As part of her research, she plans to visit Vindico Arena to better understand the practicalities of running a rink.

More than just skating

Beyond public sessions, she believes a rink could host school trips, birthday parties, events and competitions, while encouraging young people to take up winter sports.

“Pembrokeshire has produced plenty of sporting talent over the years,” she said. “There’s no reason we couldn’t develop figure skaters or ice hockey players here too.”

Residents who want to share their views can complete the online survey.

Cover image:

Jemma Davies: Hopes to bring a permanent ice rink to Pembrokeshire (Pic: Supplied).

Cymraeg

Moonpig’s Welsh fail still on sale as mistranslated St David’s Day card sparks laughs

Published

8 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A GREETING card meant to celebrate St David’s Day has become an accidental comedy hit after shoppers spotted its Welsh message makes absolutely no sense – and, even better, it is still on sale.

The card, sold by online retailer Moonpig, reads: “Hapus Dewi Sant Dydd.”

Unfortunately for the designers, that translates back into something closer to “Happy David Saint Day” or “Day Saint David Happy” rather than the correct Welsh phrase, “Dydd Dewi Sant Hapus.”

In other words, the words are right – just in completely the wrong order.

The mistake was first highlighted by Nation.Cymru, prompting plenty of amusement online, with some joking it looked like the result of a lazy copy-and-paste from an automatic translator.

The Herald decided to check for itself.

And yes – as of today – the card is still live and available to buy on Moonpig’s website.

Customers can personalise it and add it to their basket just like any other design, with no sign the message has been corrected.

One reader joked: “It’s like they put the words in a hat and picked them out at random.”

Another described it as “peak AI Welsh”.

For Welsh speakers, the error is immediately obvious. Welsh sentence structure differs from English, so simply translating each word individually rarely works. It’s the linguistic equivalent of writing “Birthday happy you” on a cake.

There was also online chatter that the dragon artwork may be facing the wrong direction – though by that point, the language had already stolen the show.

With St David’s Day cards meant to celebrate Welsh culture, the gaffe feels particularly ironic.

Still, if you fancy a collector’s item or a bit of office wall décor, you might want to be quick. Once someone at Moonpig finally runs it past an actual Welsh person, this one could quietly disappear.

Photo caption: The mistranslated St David’s Day card still available for sale on the Moonpig website (Pic: Moonpig).