Father-of-four was almost four times over legal limit when stopped in Pembroke, court hears

A FATHER-of-four has been banned from the roads after being caught driving almost four times over the legal drug-drive limit.

Steven O’Donnell, 23, of The Caravan, Roselea, Llanelli, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week where he pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

The court heard O’Donnell was stopped by police on October 19 as he drove a Renault Kangoo along Holyland Road, Pembroke.

Officers reported smelling cannabis coming from the vehicle and carried out a roadside drugs wipe, which proved positive. A blood test later taken at the police station showed O’Donnell had 9.1 microgrammes of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in his blood. The prescribed legal limit is 2.

His solicitor, Liam Francis, said the stop had been routine.

“This was a routine stop test, he’d been using cannabis at the time and was somewhat naive regarding how long it stays in the system,” he told magistrates.

O’Donnell was disqualified from driving for 14 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.

Court hears allegation woman was touched without consent at property in Johnston

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates charged with sexually assaulting a woman at a property in Pembrokeshire.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He is accused of intentionally touching a woman in a sexual manner at Silverdale Lodge, Johnston. The court heard the allegation involved the woman being given alcohol while Fletcher made flirtatious comments.

Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Thomas told magistrates the woman was sitting on Fletcher’s lap and that he kissed her, but she refused to kiss him back.

“He put his hands in her trousers and she pushed him away, but then he touched her over her clothing, on her vagina and her chest,” she said. “Once again, the woman pushed him away.”

Fletcher denied the sexual assault.

He elected to be tried in the magistrates’ court and was released on conditional bail pending a trial on February 25.

The bail conditions are that he must not contact the complainant or any prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must not enter Silverdale Lodge, Johnston, and must not post anything on social media that could interfere with the trial.

Victim said she now feels anxious leaving home after being struck with metal socket at block of flats

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been sentenced after assaulting her neighbour with a metal socket while experiencing what the court was told was a ‘psychotic episode’.

Jodie Roberts, 31, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Patricia Williams.

Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Thomas said the incident happened at a block of flats in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, on June 13, 2025.

Roberts was seen running through the communal area brandishing a metal socket before approaching Ms Williams, who lives in the same building.

“She swung it into the complainant’s face and kicked her in the stomach,” Ms Thomas told magistrates.

“As a result, the victim sustained bruising and swelling to her left eye and face, as well as cuts and grazes.”

The court heard the assault was brought to an end when the defendant’s mother stepped between the two women.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Williams said the incident had left her frightened in her own home.

“The incident has made me feel extremely anxious and nervous, particularly whenever I leave home,” she said.

“I’m scared to go to my car which is at the back as I know [Jodie Roberts] smokes out of her window. I now feel safe whenever I’m at work but start feeling scared again every time I go home.”

Roberts was represented by solicitor Jess Hill, who said her client had not been “in a normal state of reality” at the time.

“She thought she was being watched, she thought people were after her and she was under threat from the people around her, including her neighbour,” she told the court.

Ms Hill said Roberts had been working hard to stabilise her mental health and was engaging with support.

“She’s fought very hard for herself, and has sought counselling off her own bat and is engaging with her GP,” she said. “She now feels positive and hopeful for her future and wants to maintain what she’s worked so hard to achieve.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Roberts was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Patricia Williams, fined £80, and told to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

A two-year restraining order was imposed, banning Roberts from contacting Patricia Williams, entering the top floor of the Bush Street flats, or making any reference to her on any electronic device or on social media.