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Crime

Milford Haven man found guilty of licence and insurance charges

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Magistrates seek guidance over “double punishment” risk following Swansea Crown Court involvement

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been found guilty of driving without a licence and driving without insurance, but magistrates have halted sentencing after concerns he could be punished twice because points from an earlier, now-overturned conviction are still showing on his record.

Seventy-six-year-old Niall Taylor, of Haven Drive, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 27). The case relates to January 18, 2023, when Taylor drove a Vauxhall Zafira Sri (AM08 UCS) along Hammond Avenue, Haverfordwest.

Taylor previously appealed his original conviction at Swansea Crown Court, where a judge ruled that his earlier guilty plea may have been “equivocal” and ordered the matter to be returned to the magistrates for a full rehearing.

At Thursday’s hearing, magistrates found him guilty of both charges following trial.

Sentencing paused over “totting up” concerns

When the bench came to consider penalty points and disqualification, the court discovered that points from Taylor’s voided earlier conviction are still recorded on his DVLA licence.

If sentencing had gone ahead, those points would have combined with any new points and automatically triggered a totting-up disqualification, despite the Crown Court having already set the original conviction aside.

Magistrates said they could not risk what would amount to a double punishment, and adjourned the case to Wednesday, December 3, in Courtroom 1 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

The bench recorded the reason for adjournment as: “to seek views of Crown Court as to reopening, as points are still showing on licence.”

Legal argument handed to the court

During the hearing, Taylor submitted a written legal argument explaining why he maintains he was insured in law, even if there were administrative issues with his driving licence at the time.

In his document, Taylor stated that: Under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the issue is whether a policy of insurance was in force, not whether the driver held a current licence.

Insurers cannot retrospectively void third-party cover simply because a licence has expired or been revoked.

Retained EU motor insurance law requires insurers to protect third-party victims regardless of policy breaches.

A person may be uninsured in contract but still insured in law.

Magistrates noted the submission but proceeded to convict on both charges.

Taylor intends to appeal

After the hearing, Taylor indicated that he intends to appeal the verdict, maintaining that his interpretation of insurance law is correct and that he was legally insured at the time of the incident.

 

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

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A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

 

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Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

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A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

 

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Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

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A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.

 

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