Crime
Detectives appeal for information on 1979 unsolved murder
SOUTH WALES POLICE is appealing for information about the unsolved murder of taxi driver John ‘Jack’ Armstrong more than 40 years ago.
Mr Armstrong was found murdered near Bridgend in October 1979 after he collected a customer from Cardiff in his taxi.

His death has been regularly reviewed by the South Wales Police Specialist Crime Review Unit and detectives are currently investigating his death.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies said: “We have been working on reviewing this unsolved murder for several years and the case has been the subject of media coverage and featured in a TV documentary series.
“Tragically, his daughter Jean, who featured in the TV documentary and expressed her hope that the killer would be found, passed away recently before she was able to see justice for her dad.”
On October 5, 1979, Jack, as he was known by family and friends, radioed in to confirm he’d collected the fare from a Fairwater pub, but was not heard from again.
His blood-stained taxi was found later that evening in Treoes Lane, Treoes, near to the Waterton Industrial Estate in Bridgend.
But it wasn’t until three days later that his body was found some 11 miles away on Cowbridge Common. Mr Armstrong had sustained catastrophic head injuries.
Despite extensive enquiries at the time, which saw hundreds of statements taken and exhibits examined, Mr Armstrong’s killer has never been found.
As part of the review, exhibits have been re-examined and witnesses have been spoken to in the hope that detectives will be able to identify and trace the killer.
DCI Davies added: “Despite the passage of time since Mr Armstrong’s death, we remain as committed as ever to bring justice for Jack and his family.
“If the killer is still alive then they are living with the knowledge of what they did for almost 47 years. I’d appeal to anyone who believes they know the identity of the killer to do the right thing and come forward.”
Anyone with any information which could assist detectives is urged to contact the Review Unit via 101, quoting occurrence 2000304349 or by using the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) – https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP20B17-PO1
Crime
Driver caught with three illegal drugs in system on way to MOT test
Tenby stop check revealed cocaine and cannabis in motorist’s blood
ATTEMPTS to take his vehicle for its annual MOT has backfired after the vehicle’s owner was found to be driving with a cocktail of illegal drugs in his system.
Bradley Bostock, 27, was stopped by officers on December 16 as he drove his Ford Fiesta along Heywood Lane, Tenby.
But further investigations by officers confirmed he had 108 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system together with 17 mcg of cocaine and 2.4 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The legal limits are 50, 10 and 2 respectively.
“There’s no detail of the rationale behind why he was stopped, but three drugs were noted in his blood,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan when Bostock appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
Bostock pleaded guilty to three charges of drug driving and was represented in court by Jess Hill.
“He was taking his vehicle to Tenby for an MOT that day but was stopped by officers for a stop check,” she said.
“He’s from Yorkshire and often feels isolated here as he has no family and uses drugs to help deal with his loneliness.”
Bostock, of Corston Cottages, Axton Hill, Pembroke was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 90 hours of unpaid work.
He was disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Father-of-three ordered to pay for bus stop damage after drinking binge
Blood trail led police from damaged shelter to defendant’s home
A FATHER-OF-THREE had admitted carrying out over £500 worth of damage to a bus stop after a drinking binge in Milford town centre.
A blood trail led officers from the bus stop to Hawthorn Way, to the home of Hayden Dimond.
This week Dimond, 31, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he admitted the criminal damage offence.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan informed magistrates that the damage caused to the bus stop totalled £530.60.
“The defendant accepted responsibility in his police interview and pointed them in the direction of the damaged bus stop,” Diamond’s solicitor, Jess Hill, informed the Bench.
“At the time he was highly intoxicated and acted upon impulse.
“He had problems with binge drinking but now rarely consumes alcohol, but whenever he does, it’s monitored so he remains on an acceptable level.”
“What happened that night was not intentional.”
Dimond, Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, was ordered to pay £530 compensation to Pembrokeshire County Council and was fined £40. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £16 surcharge.
Crime
Driver banned after cocaine found in system during A40 stop check
Motorist told court he had taken drugs the night before socialising with friends
A DRUG DRIVER who was arrested during a routine stop check was this week ordered off the roads for 12 months.
A stop check carried out on Dean Browne as he drove his Volvo V50 along the A40 at Slebech last December prompted officers to carry out a roadside drugs swipe. When it proved positive, further blood tests were carried out at the police station which showed that Browne had 240 mcg of the cocaine metabolism benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50.
Browne, who has no previous convictions, accepted that he’d taken cocaine the night before whilst socialising with friends.
“He is sorry for his actions and understands now that the drug can remain in the system for some time,” said his solicitor Jess Hill, after Browne pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
In addition to the 12-month driving ban, Browne, of Horeb Road, Mynydd y Garreg, Kidwelly, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.
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