Motorist told police he had drunk heavily in early hours before being stopped in High Street

A MOTORIST who was almost three times over the drink-drive limit was seen speeding through Neyland High Street before being stopped by police, magistrates have heard.

Christopher Harper, 47, of Strongbow Walk, Pembroke, was seen leaving the marina car park at around 10:00am on March 26 while driving a Nissan Juke.

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week that the vehicle had earlier been seen parked in the lower marina car park.

“The driver appeared to be under the influence of something and seemed incapable of driving,” she said.

Officers watched as the vehicle pulled out of the car park and travelled at speed towards the High Street.

“The officers activated their blue lights and the vehicle finally came to a stop at the top of the High Street,” she said.

When spoken to by police, Harper admitted he had consumed a large amount of alcohol at around 2:00am that morning.

He gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested. Further breath tests carried out at the police station showed he had 98 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Harper pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge and represented himself in court.

“It was stupid and I shouldn’t have done what I did,” he told magistrates in mitigation.

Because of the high alcohol reading, magistrates adjourned sentencing until April 16 so that a probation report can be prepared.

Harper was released on unconditional bail, and an interim driving ban was imposed pending sentence.

Court hears defendant had taken drug days before funeral of partner’s grandfather

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been banned from the roads after police found cocaine in his system during a roadside stop-check.

Jacob Payne, 27, of Back Lane, Haverfordwest, was stopped by officers carrying out checks at St Thomas Green at around 4:30pm on December 4.

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week that officers could smell cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.

“When spoken to, the defendant admitted taking an illegal drug a few days prior to being stopped,” she said.

A roadside drugs wipe tested positive for cocaine. Further blood analysis later showed the lowest benzoylecgonine reading was 96 microgrammes per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

Payne pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

His solicitor, Jess Hill, told the court the offence took place on the same day as his partner’s grandfather’s funeral.

“It was an emotional day all round,” she said.

“He’d taken cocaine whilst socialising a few days before and doesn’t often use it. But he’s easily influenced by others, and this was why he took it.”

Magistrates disqualified Payne from driving for 38 months.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

In addition, Payne was made subject to a 12-month community order during which he must complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Court hears Haverfordwest defendant was in severe mental distress and carrying razors to harm herself

A HAVERFORDWEST woman who contacted emergency services while in severe mental distress has been sentenced after admitting possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Danni Sandow, 22, of Three Meadows, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week following an incident on March 28.

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court that police were contacted by Withybush Hospital after Sandow told the Crisis team she was intending to go to the railway line.

“Extensive searches were carried out, but police then received a call from the woman saying she was on the road bridge at Clay Lane in Haverfordwest, and was carrying razor blades,” she said.

“The woman is known to carry multiple blades in her purse. Multiple attempts were made by the officers to convince the woman to return to the hospital but she failed to agree and was subsequently arrested.”

Sandow pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Her solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told magistrates that the blades were being carried solely for the purpose of self-harm and not to threaten anyone else.

“This is a woman who had those blades on her with the sole purpose of causing harm to herself,” he said.

“She called the police because she needed their support and when she refused to return to the hospital, she was arrested.

“On previous occasions, the officers didn’t pursue the matter, but on March 28 the defendant was particularly unwell.

“This is a troubled young woman who found herself in a very bad psychological frame of mind. She contacted the police so that they could assist her and wasn’t inflicting harm on anyone else.”

Mr Lloyd added that Sandow has recently received a significant mental health diagnosis and is now receiving medical and psychological support.

Magistrates sentenced her to a 24-month community order to allow her treatment to continue. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.