Crime
Driver over drug limit after taking cocaine to ease leg pain
Blood tests showed level nearly five times the legal threshold
A MOTORIST who admitted taking cocaine to try to ease ongoing leg pain has been banned from driving after being caught over the drug-drive limit in Pembrokeshire.
Richard Smith, aged 41, was stopped by police on the night of October 6 while driving his Skoda Enyaq along Pope Hill in Johnston.
Officers carried out a roadside drugs test which proved positive. Smith was arrested and taken to the police station, where blood analysis later revealed 236 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50.
Smith pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
Defence solicitor Fenn Richards said her client had travelled to Milford Haven to support a family member.
“His nephew had been having a hard time with depression, so he came down to spend some time with him,” she said.
“But the defendant had recently suffered a car accident and had run out of painkillers while he was in the area. He turned to cocaine to help relieve his pain.”
The court heard Smith had taken the drug around five days before driving and had not realised it could remain detectable in his system for that length of time.
Magistrates disqualified Smith, of Walnut Way, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, from driving for 14 months.
He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.
Crime
Train disruption after youths seen playing on tracks at Haverfordwest station
Police attend after dangerous incident involving football on railway line
TRAINS were delayed at Haverfordwest railway station on Tuesday (Apr 1) after a group of youths were seen playing with a football near live tracks, prompting a police response.
Footage captured by a bystander shows several young people on the platform throwing and kicking a ball across the station. In one clip, a youth is seen kicking a football from Platform 2 towards Platform 1, but the ball overshoots and lands beyond a fence into the station car park.
More concerning footage shows the ball rolling onto the railway line, with one youth climbing down onto the tracks to retrieve it—an act that poses serious risk of injury or death due to live rails and the potential for oncoming trains.
The incident caused disruption to services, with two trains delayed by 25 minutes while the situation was dealt with.
Police attended the scene, although it is not yet clear whether any arrests were made. Officers have been approached for comment.
Railway safety rules strictly prohibit access to the tracks except by authorised personnel, and incidents such as this are treated seriously due to the potentially fatal consequences.
The Herald understands that such behaviour can also lead to significant disruption across the rail network, affecting passengers and services well beyond the immediate area.
Anyone with further information about the incident is urged to contact police.
Crime
Driver given interim ban after A478 crash
Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen
A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.
Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while disqualified.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person responsible.”
Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.
Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending sentence.
Crime
Dock motorist avoids jail after drug-drive crash
A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked BMW.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that on September 27, 2025, Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home and drove off without her consent.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall.
“The wall collapsed as a result of the impact, causing damage to a parked BMW,” she said.
The owner of the BMW said the vehicle suffered bodywork damage and scratching following the incident.
When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system, more than five times the legal limit of 50.
The court heard that although Brundrett’s mother confirmed the car was hers, she did not wish to criminalise her son.
Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.
Defending, Alaw Harries said: “He accepts his behaviour was foolish and irresponsible and wishes to apologise to the court for what took place.
“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties. This was the first and last time he has taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. While that is not an excuse, it provides context. He is now in a much better place.”
Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
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