News
Pembrokshire factory worker drove to work four times over drink-drive limit
A Haverfordwest factory worker has narrowly escaped a custodial sentence after being caught driving when he was almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit.
Police received calls from members of the public who were concerned at the manner in which a Volkswagen Tigros was being driven on the A40 in the early hours of Monday, October 13.
When police apprehended the vehicle, they discovered its driver was Polish factory worker Sebastian Poznanski. The 44-year-old provided a positive roadside breath test while further breath tests carried out at the police station showed he had no less than 137 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.
“Various members of the public had contacted the police because of the manner in which the vehicle was being driven,” Crown Prosecutor Chris Evans told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“It was swerving all over the road.”
As a result of the extremely high reading, magistrates requested an all-options probation report prior to sentencing from probation officer Julie Norman.
“It was the early hours of a Monday morning and the defendant was driving to work at a factory in Haverfordwest,” Ms Norman told the Bench.
“He’d drunk alcohol the previous day and assumed he would be ok to drive to work. But clearly he wasn’t fit to be on the road.”
Ms Norman said that Posnanski, of Priory Street, Carmarthen, regularly works 12-hour days at the factory. “He doesn’t have a drink problem, but he works very long hours during the week,” she said.
Poznanski was disqualified from driving for 32 months and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work during his 12 month community order.
“Your high reading means that a custodial sentence could have been imposed,” said the presiding magistrate when imposing sentence.
He was ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.
News
Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.
Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.
The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.
The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.
On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.
Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.
Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.
Health
Ambulance delays and blocked beds putting Welsh patients at risk, watchdog warns
AMBULANCE handover delays, long waits in emergency departments and delays discharging patients from hospital are continuing to put people at risk across Wales, Audit Wales has warned.
The public spending watchdog said urgent and emergency care remains under “constant pressure” despite extra funding and new policies aimed at improving joined-up working between the NHS, ambulance service, councils and social care providers.
In an article published today, Monday (Jun 22), Audit Wales said its work since 2024 had examined how health boards and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust manage demand for urgent and emergency care, as well as how health boards and local authorities support timely discharge from hospital.
It found that pressures across the system are increasing patient safety risks and driving up costs.
Key problems identified include ambulance handover delays, lengthy waits in emergency departments, underused new services despite extra funding, and delayed hospital discharges which continue to result in hundreds of thousands of lost bed days each year.
Audit Wales also said workforce problems across health and social care remain a major factor in delayed discharges.
The watchdog warned that data is still not being shared effectively across the system, making it harder for public bodies to make informed decisions and manage pressure.
The findings will add to growing concern about the state of urgent and emergency care in Wales, with patients, families and frontline staff repeatedly warning that delays in A&E and problems arranging social care packages are leaving people waiting too long for treatment or stuck in hospital after they are medically fit to leave.
Audit Wales said staff and leaders across the system had made clear that “something must change”.
It has set out six questions for the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and local authorities to consider as they look at how urgent and emergency care can be improved.
The Auditor General for Wales is the independent statutory external auditor of the devolved Welsh public sector and is responsible for auditing most public money spent in Wales.
The Herald has asked the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment.
Entertainment
Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod
HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.
Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.
She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.
Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.
Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.
Caption:
Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
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