News
Three of seven boy racers jailed following A40 smash
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
Court hears from timid mother who was barely audible in the witness box who said she carried out no checks to establish whether Phillips was safe to be around her child
A MOTHER who cannot be named for legal reasons gave evidence yesterday in the trial of Christopher Phillips, the man accused of physically and sexually assaulting her infant son – referred to as Baby C – and causing him life-changing injuries in January 2021.
Phillips, 37 at the time, had been in a relationship with the mother for only a few weeks when Baby C, then around 10 weeks old, suffered catastrophic anal injuries at a flat in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. The child was rushed to Glangwili Hospital in the early hours of January 24 and survived, but the harm was permanent. Phillips denies 11 counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13, four counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, all between December 20, 2020, and January 25, 2021. The mother denies two charges of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm and two charges of child cruelty by neglect.
The prosecution alleges that Phillips deliberately inflicted the injuries while alone with the baby during nappy changes, using a finger coated in Sudocrem as lubricant on multiple occasions, leading to escalating harm including blood in the nappies and ultimately a massive tear and prolapse. A central part of their case is that the mother repeatedly allowed Phillips unsupervised access to her son – including taking him into another room to change his nappy and shut the door – despite knowing very little about him and despite behaviour that should have raised alarm, such as his insistence on privacy and her own unease.
Late on Thursday morning (Dec 4), under lengthy and forceful cross-examination by Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, the mother appeared composed but spoke so quietly and timidly that people in court struggled to hear her answers. She conceded point after point:
- She carried out no checks to establish whether Phillips was safe to be around her child.
- She allowed him to be alone with Baby C from the very start of January 2021 (possibly even before 2 January).
- She ignored her own concerns and permitted Phillips to shut the door while changing the baby’s nappy, telling her not to enter or accusing her of “micromanaging”.
- She accepted that this had exposed her son to “a massive risk” and had been “a terrible idea”.
The mother explained that Phillips had said he wanted to learn nappy-changing because he “never got the chance” with his own child. She initially stayed in the room but soon permitted him to take Baby C into a separate room alone. She also recounted noticing odd details during changes, such as Phillips having Sudocrem around his finger “as if it had come from a pot” – despite her not owning a pot of the cream – and him leaving the room without putting the baby’s babygro back on after fastening the nappy, which immediately struck her as wrong. A few days earlier, she had discovered extensive bruising to the baby’s bottom, a swollen testicle and blood in his nappy, prompting her to confide in family and seek medical advice, though Phillips became angry when she mentioned the appointments.
Key moments from the cross-examination
Caroline Rees KC: “You took no steps whatsoever to keep Baby C safe, did you?” Mother (barely audible): “No.”
Caroline Rees KC: “You did absolutely nothing to keep him safe, did you?” Mother: “No.”
When His Honour Judge Paul Thomas KC asked her to clarify for the jury why she let Phillips change the baby alone, she confirmed:
“I wasn’t allowed in the room. If I tried to go in he would accuse me of micromanaging.”
She said this made her feel “annoyed”, but she “ignored it”.
Caroline Rees KC put it directly to the mother:
- “The signs were all there, weren’t they?”
- “It was a terrible idea, wasn’t it?”
- “You could have stopped it at any time – by doing the changes yourself or by ending the relationship.”
- “This man wanted to have your baby on his own more than is normal.”
The mother eventually accepted each proposition, agreeing that:
- Allowing Phillips to change the baby alone had been “a terrible idea”;
- The warning signs that she should have stopped it were present;
- Phillips’ desire to be alone with her son was greater than normal.
She admitted she had been “keen to have company” and had tolerated behaviour she should never have accepted.
Legal matters will be dealt with tomorrow morning only. Closing speeches are expected to continue into Monday.
The trial continues.
WALES is living sicker for longer, the Chief Medical Officer has warned, as new figures show a worrying drop in the number of years people can expect to live in good health – with women hit hardest.
The findings, published today in Dr Joanne Absolom’s first annual report since taking over from Sir Frank Atherton, have prompted immediate calls for the next Welsh Government to overhaul its approach to public health after the 2026 Senedd election.
Dr Absolom says Wales must now move decisively away from a system that largely treats illness towards one that prevents people becoming ill in the first place. Her report warns that healthy life expectancy is falling across the country and highlights widening inequalities between communities.
Responding to the findings, Darren Hughes, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said the message could not be clearer.
“NHS leaders in Wales welcome the report’s call for a prevention-first approach,” he said. “We have to move from simply treating illness to actively promoting wellbeing, and that means a proper cross-government strategy that tackles inequality and gives people the support to take control of their own health.”
He added that every pound spent on proven public health programmes delivers an average return of £14 – evidence, he said, that prevention “makes moral and financial sense” at a time when NHS budgets are under extreme pressure.
“It is deeply concerning to see healthy life expectancy falling, particularly for women,” he said. “Investment in prevention is vital if we are to make our health and care services sustainable.”
While health boards, councils and community groups are already working on preventative programmes, the Welsh NHS Confederation says Wales needs far greater ambition – and the NHS must be given the tools and flexibility to scale up what works.
The Chief Medical Officer’s report also raises serious concerns about NHS workforce shortages and urges significant investment in digital technology to improve productivity and patient outcomes.
Mr Hughes said all political parties should “take heed” as they prepare their manifestos for next year’s Senedd election.
“Those seeking to form the next Welsh Government have a clear blueprint here. We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results. Prevention, workforce and digital transformation have to be top priorities.”
The Welsh NHS Confederation — which represents all seven health boards, the three NHS trusts, HEIW and Digital Health and Care Wales — has already outlined its detailed priorities in its own election document, Building the health and wellbeing of the nation.
With the Senedd election just over a year away, today’s report adds fresh, authoritative evidence that Wales needs a radical shift in how it approaches health if it is to secure a healthier future for all.
Coroner to contact highways officials about junction layout following inquests
TWO people died after a car entered the A48 near Cross Hands in the wrong direction and continued for nearly half a kilometre before striking another vehicle head-on, an inquest has heard.
The crash happened shortly after midday on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, on the eastbound side of the dual carriageway between Pont Abraham and Cross Hands. Four vehicles were ultimately damaged.
Toyota travelled against oncoming traffic for 452 metres
The hearings, which took place on Wednesday (December 3) at Llanelli Town Hall, examined the deaths of John Howell Price, aged 90, and Emily Thornton-Sandy, a 30-year-old solicitor.
Evidence from Dyfed-Powys Police showed that Mr Price had driven a Toyota out of a small access road serving a Welsh Water site. Instead of turning left, as the signage directs, his vehicle turned right into lane two of the A48 and began travelling westbound against fast-moving traffic.
Forensic investigator David Stacey told the court that the Toyota continued in the wrong direction for approximately 452 metres before colliding with Mrs Thornton-Sandy’s Ford. The impact caused both cars to become airborne and resulted in secondary impacts with a Renault and a BMW.
Mr Price died at the scene. Mrs Thornton-Sandy was taken to the University Hospital of Wales but succumbed to her injuries six days later, on November 11. Her dog, Scout, who was travelling with her, also died.
Road conditions not a factor
Mr Stacey said the carriageway was dry, visibility was good and the surface was in proper condition. There were no signs of emergency braking by either driver.
He confirmed that both cars’ speedometers froze on collision — the Toyota at 43mph and the Ford at 62mph — and that there was no evidence of alcohol, drugs or mobile-phone use by either party.
Dashcam and CCTV recordings examined by officers captured the Toyota making the unlawful turn and heading straight into oncoming traffic.
Medical checks explored
The inquest heard that Mr Price had been seen by a medic two days before the crash following an episode of syncope. The court was told that the incident did not result in any driving restriction, and subsequent checks — including after a 2023 police referral to the DVLA about his eyesight — did not deem him medically unfit to drive.
Mr Stacey said Mrs Thornton-Sandy had virtually “no time” to react when the wrong-way vehicle appeared in her lane.
Cause of death and coroner’s findings
Pathologists concluded that Mr Price died from multiple injuries sustained in the collision. Mrs Thornton-Sandy died from traumatic brain injury and tension pneumothorax.
Coroner Paul Bennett ruled both deaths were the result of road traffic collisions. He said it was not possible to determine why Mr Price made the manoeuvre.
He noted that three people received organ donations as a result of Mrs Thornton-Sandy’s death.
Junction safety to be reviewed
Mr Bennett said he would write to the South Wales Trunk Road Agency and Carmarthenshire Council regarding the junction design, and referred to upcoming changes in driving-licence renewal rules for motorists over 70.
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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.