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Crime

Drink-driver loses licence weeks before Taiwan teaching post

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SECOND OFFENCE IN COURT

A MOTORIST has lost his licence weeks before starting a teaching post in Taiwan after driving his car into a hedge while over the drink-drive limit.

Police were called to Solva on July 29 after reports that a Ford Fiesta had collided with a hedge on the A487. When officers arrived, they found 25-year-old Evan James and his passenger standing at the roadside.

“There was substantial damage to the car, and both parties smelt strongly of intoxicants,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

When spoken to by officers, James admitted driving the car, saying: “I’m drunk, and it’s all my fault.”

A breathalyser test showed 96 microgrammes of alcohol in his system – nearly three times the legal limit of 35.

Ms Vaughan told the court James had a previous conviction for drink-driving in 2017.

Probation officer Julie Norman said James and his friend had been camping 11 miles from St Davids. “They’d had a few drinks with the intention of getting a taxi back to the campsite, but that didn’t materialise,” she explained. “As they approached Solva, they collided with a hedge.”

James, of Post Office Row, Glangrwyney, Crickhowell, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

His solicitor, Alaw Harries, said the mandatory disqualification would have major implications for the defendant, who had been offered a work placement to teach English in Taiwan.

“He has high ambitions, but that night he made a mistake,” she said. “His placement begins in September, and it would have helped him to get away from the negative issues in his life. He’s extremely disappointed in himself, and is well aware of the potential harm he may have caused to others.”

Magistrates disqualified James from driving for 36 months and imposed a 12-month community order requiring 140 hours of unpaid work.

“This is the second time this has happened,” presiding magistrate Mary Smith told him. “There was a collision, and there could well have been a fatality as a result of your thinking that night. Quite honestly, you’re not fit to be on the roads until you grow up and get a better attitude.”

 

Crime

Motorist loses licence after report of drink-driving from Narberth pub

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A woman who was reported to police for drink-driving from a Narberth pub has been banned from the roads

A COURT has heard how a motorist was arrested by police officers following a call stating that she was drink-driving from the Ivy Bush in Narberth.

The call was made just after 10pm on February 22.

“The caller stated that Tanya Hanna was drinking-driving from the Ivy Bush in a Mercedes,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When Hanna, 36, was apprehended by officers at Kiln Park Road, a roadside breath test proved positive while further tests at the police station showed she had 47 mcg of alcohol in her system, the legal limit being 35.

Hanna, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge. She was represented in court by Michael Kelleher.

“It wasn’t the most pleasant situation when someone took umbrage with Tanya and phoned the police,” he said. “As a result, she has lost her job.

“She knows she’s let herself and her family down, because without a driving licence, it’ll be very difficult for her to keep in regular contact with them, having to rely on public transport.”

Hanna, of Beach Hotel, Marsh Road, Pendine, was disqualified from driving for 14 months. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

 

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Crime

Driver banned after drink-driving on Cleddau Bridge

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A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving on Cleddau Bridge when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Andrew Evans, 36, was stopped by officers just before 1am on February 25 as he drove his Nissan Qashqai northwards towards Neyland.

After providing a positive roadside breath test, subsequent tests carried out at the police station showed he had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

This week Evans, of Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“He believed he’d allowed enough time for the alcohol to pass through his system but that, unfortunately for him, was a dreadful mistake although his alcohol levels were decreasing all the time,” said Mr Kelleher.

Evans, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for 13 months. He was fined £461 and ordered to pay a £184 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Teen avoids jail after knife incident in Tenby

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He was found carrying a kitchen knife in Tenby town centre has been handed a suspended sentence

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being found in possession of a bladed article in Tenby town centre.

Police officers were called to The Glebe in the early hours of April 26, 2025, following a call from a member of the public that a male had been seen carrying an offensive weapon. There they found Teilo Griffiths in possession of a kitchen knife.

“The defendant’s mother contacted the police at around 2am, reporting an ongoing incident with her son,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.”

While Mrs Griffiths was on the phone, her son left the home address.

“A young male was then reported to be walking around Tenby town centre in possession of a kitchen knife,” continued Linda Baker. “He wasn’t making threats to anyone but he was under the influence.”

Griffiths, of The Glebe, Tenby, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the knife and was represented in court by Tom Lloyd.

“When he was arrested, he was open and honest straight away, and admitted he couldn’t remember what had happened,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He’d been out with friends, he was over excited, people were buying him drinks, and this wasn’t something he was used to. He went totally over the top and can’t remember what happened.”

Griffiths was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and a 12 month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the knife.

 

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