News
Drink driver ‘posed a significant risk’
A WOMAN, who had 115 micrograms of alcohol in her breath, ‘posed a significant risk’ to other road users, Haverfordwest Magistrates heard on Tuesday. Nicola Thorpe, aged 43, of West End Cottages in Robeston Wathen, was disqualified from driving for 28 months after she pleaded guilty to drink driving which on the afternoon of November 18. Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said: “At half six on Tuesday, November 18, Officer Cousins was on duty in an unmarked police vehicle.
“He came behind a silver BMW, which he describes as being almost stationary. The officer moved closer and at this point the driver pulled away. “The car veered across the white lines in the centre of the road and the officer was so alarmed at this he called for a marked police car to attend the area. “The car then veered out on to the wrong side of the road and narrowly missed another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. “They travelled through Robeston Wathen before the driver pulled off into the car park of the Bush Pub. “On speaking to the woman the officer could immediately smell alcohol and a road side test returned a positive result and she was then arrested. “She told the officer that she had had a couple of drinks of wine. “The officer then went back to the area where he first saw her and noticed silver paint on the wall, but there was no damage to it. “At the station, the lower reading of alcohol in her breath was 115 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath.”
Defending, Mr Phillips said: “He has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and I ask that you will consider her for the drink rehabilitation course, and deal with this by way of a community order. “On the day in question, she was in Narberth celebrating a birthday with friends. She had a telephone call from her daughter to say there was a fire in the village near their home, and she felt she needed to get home. Unfortunately she now finds herself in this situation.” Probation officer, Julie Norman was asked to prepare a report on Thorpe. She said: “This was a high reading. She had gone to Narberth and had a few drinks. She pre-arranged for her husband to pick her up at 6. “At around 5pm she received a call to say that there was a fire.
Her house was only a mile and a half away. “She had a high level of alcohol in her system and was a high risk to other road users. She is remorseful for her actions and denies any drinking issues as she does not normally drink and drive.” The chairman of the bench said: “We are treating this as a very serious offence, the reading was very high and you did pose a significant risk to others. “We can see you are remorseful and feel a community order would not be suitable.” Magistrates gave her a fine for the offence of £160. She was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £20 victim surcharge. She was disqualified from driving for 28 months, but was offered the driver rehabilitation course, which could reduce her ban by a quarter.
Crime
Police appeal for information after several tractors stolen
POLICE officers in Pembrokeshire investigating a theft from several tractors, which happened overnight between April 17-18, 2024.
The tractors had been in a field near to Loch Turfin, Haverfordwest.
Included in the stolen items were vehicle keys, tools and waterproof clothing.
A spokesperson said “Police are now appealing for anyone with information that could help them with their investigation to contact PC 772 Boyt either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101.
“Quote reference: 24*355571”
Community
Pembrokeshire firefighters help deliver fire engines to Ukraine
FIRE services from across the United Kingdom have rallied together to donate vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflicts that have seen local fire stations and firefighters come under direct attack.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) was at the forefront of this international goodwill effort, donating three fire appliances and dispatching nine of their personnel to ensure safe delivery.
The initiative, coordinated by Fire Aid UK, involved a total of 11 UK fire services. Over a grueling 5.5-day journey that spanned several countries—starting from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and moving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and into Poland—33 fire appliances were transported to a location just 20 miles from the Ukraine border. They left Kent on April 23.
This convoy, laden with not just fire engines but also 3000 items of critical firefighting gear including cutting equipment, fire hoses, first aid kits, and generators, was a sight of resilience and humanitarian commitment. Watch Manager Rob MakePeace, a Business Fire Safety Officer, and Watch Manager Keith Jenkins, who is retired but still oversees part-time personnel at Haverfordwest, played pivotal roles in the operation from Pembrokeshire.
Speaking on the experience, Keith Jenkins expressed the profound impact of the mission, “It was a fantastic experience to be involved in. The convoy itself was an amazing sight, but the people we met, places we stayed and the reason we were delivering the appliances was something we will remember for a long time.”
The donation comes at a critical time for Ukraine, where daily attacks have not only jeopardized the lives of local firefighters but have also devastated much of the essential infrastructure needed to fight fires effectively. The additional appliances and equipment from the UK are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Ukrainian fire departments, providing them with the necessary tools to save lives and protect property under dire circumstances.
This act of generosity and the strenuous efforts by the UK firefighters underscore a deep commitment to aiding those in peril, transcending borders and showcasing the best of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
News
Protest outside Stephen Crabb’s office over Rwanda deportations
SUPPORTERS of West Wales Stand Up to Racism group will attend a protest outside the office of Stephen Crabb MP in Market Street at 6pm on Tuesday evening (May 7).
The protest is to highlight the inhumane scheme to send refugees to Rwanda.
Since the Rwanda Bill was finally passed last week, refugees have already been identified, detained and are being prepared to be flown to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there.
Rushi Sunak has said “To detain people while we prepare to remove them, we’ve increased detention spaces to 2,200.
“To quickly process claims, we’ve got 200 trained, dedicated caseworkers ready and waiting. To deal with any legal cases quickly and decisively, the judiciary has made available 25 courtrooms and identified 150 judges who could provide over 5,000 sitting days.”
The protestors are asking: why is all this money being spent when these vulnerable people could have their asylum claims dealt with in the UK?
If the Prime Minister hoped his Rwanda plan would help get more votes for the Conservative Party in the recent elections, it would appear he was mistaken.
A new report from the Refugee Council warns that the UK Government’s flagship Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Plan will lead to another catastrophic “system meltdown”, trapping over 100,000 people in permanent limbo while costing taxpayers billions.
West Wales Stand Up to Racism has campaigned against the Government’s plan to send refugees to Rwanda from the time this scheme was first suggested.
Supporters have previously met with Simon Hart MP and attempted to deliver a giant postcard to his office.
The group has taken part in the online Hands in Protest project organised by Artisan Avenue, Tenby which allowed everyone to express on line how they felt about Rwanda by submitting drawings of their own hands. The collective Hands In Protest gives a powerful message that the Rwanda plan should be stopped.
The organisers said: “Supporters will be once more taking the giant postcard on Tuesday, to protest about the Rwanda scheme. We will have small post cards for supporters to write messages to Stephen Crabb, telling him how strongly we feel about this.
“All over the UK, anti-racists are picketing Home Office buildings to show their opposition to the Rwanda scheme and are trying to prevent arrests and giving support to the refugees being arrested and detained.
“West Wales Stand Up to Racism supporters want to make their voices heard too.”
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