Crime

Farmer banned after drink-driving from village pub

Published

3 months ago

January 21, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Llandissilio man, 77, was more than one-and-a-half times the legal limit, court hears

A PEMBROKESHIRE farmer has been disqualified from driving after being caught drink-driving from his local pub.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard police were contacted on the night of Friday (July 4, 2025) with concerns that Russell Llewellyn, 77, had left The Angel pub in Llandissilio after drinking alcohol and driven away in a Mitsubishi Outlander.

“The caller claimed the defendant was so drunk he couldn’t speak,” prosecutor Dennis Davies told the court after Llewellyn pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit.

“He’d seemed totally out of it.”

Officers traced Llewellyn to his home address at Ty Uchaf, Llandissilio, where he admitted drinking around an hour earlier, the court heard.

A breath test showed 55 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Llewellyn was represented by solicitor Jess Hill, who told the court he relied on his vehicle to run his farm.

“He has a long farming career but now, as his mobility is slowing, he relies heavily on his vehicle to continue farming,” she said. “He also leads a fairly isolated life, so he needs his car to socialise.”

Magistrates disqualified Llewellyn from driving for 12 months and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Man appears in court charged over death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

FAMILY WATCHED FROM PUBLIC GALLERY AS CASE SENT TO CROWN COURT

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with causing the death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer Tim Minett by dangerous driving.

Mr Minett was riding a Blood Bike Wales Honda motorcycle on the afternoon of July 2, 2025, when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Crafter van on the A478 between Glandycross and Blaenffos.

He had been transporting blood supplies for the NHS at the time.

This week the van’s driver, Roger King, 57, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing Mr Minett’s death by dangerous driving.

King stood in the dock to confirm his name, age and address as members of Mr Minett’s family watched from the public gallery.

Magistrates were told that, due to the seriousness of the allegation, the case can only be dealt with at the Crown Court.

Proceedings will continue at Swansea Crown Court on May 29.

King was released on unconditional bail until that date.c

Crime

Man breached restraining order by entering woman’s home

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

COURT HEARS APPLICATION MADE TO DISCHARGE ORDER

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sentenced after being found inside a woman’s home despite being banned from contacting her.

Peter Bromley, 51, of Parc y Chwarel, Fishguard, was made subject to a restraining order by Haverfordwest magistrates on February 26.

The order prevented him from having any direct or indirect contact with Rhiannon Bowen.

But on April 8, police received a call claiming Bromley was present at Ms Bowen’s address in Fishguard.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that when officers arrived at the property, Ms Bowen initially denied that Bromley was there.

However, when officers gained access to the property, they found Bromley inside the kitchen.

This week Bromley pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order.

He was legally represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told magistrates that Ms Bowen had recently begun proceedings to have the restraining order removed and discharged.

“Considerable progress has been made by the defendant in various areas of his life,” said Mr Lloyd.

Bromley was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 surcharge.

He must also complete a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Crime

Drink-driver hit bicycle and failed to stop

Published

12 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

SENTENCE ADJOURNED FOR PROBATION REPORT

A 23-YEAR-old motorist has been given an interim driving ban after admitting he was over the drink-drive limit when he damaged a bicycle in a collision.

Ajay Mathias was driving his Ford Fiesta along the A478 at Allensbank on April 8 when he collided with the bicycle.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that subsequent breath tests showed Mathias had 44 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mathias, of Min y Llan, Letterston, appeared before magistrates this week where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop after a road accident.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 30, when magistrates will consider a probation report.

Mathias was released on unconditional bail until that date.